Friends

“A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.” -Jim Morrison My son is on the left, celebrating his 9th birthday this month, with his pals. Happy Birthday, Brooks!

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#HandmadeChat No. 24: How To Manage Multiple Twitter Accounts

Every Thursday evening from 8 to 9pm ET, IBN hosts #HandmadeChat, a Twitter talk show designed to help handmade entrepreneurs sell more of the products they make. While the show is aimed mainly at members of IBN and artisans who make handmade consumer products, the topics and discussion can empower and encourage the growth of…

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4 Ways To Encourage Repeat Sales

As your business grows, you will discover that it is far more profitable to earn repeat sales from existing customers than it is to pursue new ones. Of course you can’t slack off in terms of finding new prospects. But as you align your energies with the priority of satisfying existing customers, your job will…

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Beyond Growing Pains For #Handmade Entrepreneurs

A few days ago, I attended the first Digital Business Bash here in Charlotte. (In case you missed it, I told you about it in this post.) Here I am (middle) with IBN member Lela Barker of Bella Lucce (left) in South Carolina and Susan Lassiter-Lyons (right) of Investor Insights in Colorado. Our speaker was…

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IBN Member Julie Longyear Wins Neighborhood Business Of The Year Award

On October 5, our member, Julie Longyear, CEO of Irie Star in St. Louis, Missouri, was named the “Neighborhood Business of the Year” at the Mayor’s Business Luncheon. The award honors the company’s progress and commitment to the local North St. Louis City community. Here is Julie, looking fabulous, with her award. Julie tells me…

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Cooking Up Candles With Small Gunns

This video from our members, Michelle & Diana Stock of Small Gunns in Emeryville, California, shows that handmade candles are not only beautiful when they are made with love, but are also fun. It made us so happy that we just had to share it with you! Like Small Gunns on FaceBook! SMALL BUSINESS COACHING…

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Kelly Bloom of Soapalooza to Speak at #IndieCruise 2013

I am pleased sad to announce that IBN member Kelly Bloom of Soapalooza in Richmond, Virginia, will not be joining us on #IndieCruise 2013 as a speaker and fellow MasterMinder. You’ll have fun anyway, so stay tuned for updates! The theme for #IndieCruise 2013 is Conceive! Believe! Achieve!, making Kelly’s topic of Living Your Passion…

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Proposed California “Green” Regulations: How To Comment By The Thursday Deadline

It has come to my attention that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is considering new regulations that, if enacted as drafted, would eliminate what it calls “chemicals of concern” (COCs) from a variety of consumer products, including cosmetics, that are sold in California. The proposed regulations would apply to manufacturers, marketers, importers…

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