It is critical that you operate your business according to a set of specific core values. Your brand’s core values form the foundation upon which you lead yourself, your team, and your business. Core values reflect why your business exists, what it stands for, and the principles you holds dear. This article shares IBN’s core…
We have all heard the news. We are all experiencing collective fallout. In the wake of COVID-19, the Indie Business Network is facing an unprecedented opportunity to serve our members better as they lead their businesses through this time of freakish uncertainty. At IBN, we’re committed to helping you thrive in these turbulent times. As…
Every Maker and Handmade Entrepreneur needs an email list. There is no doubt about that. If you want your products to sell, you need to spend at least as much time making them (maybe more, depending on the stage your business is in), as you do marketing them. The easiest and least expensive way to…
It’s hard to believe that I have been blogging here at Indie Business Blog for 15 years. Here is my first Indie Business Blog post. By the time I published that post, I had been blogging elsewhere for five years. I maintained a “journal” at IBN’s first website, before the term “blog” even existed. Afterward,…
It always saddens me to see a person struggle alone for an extended period of time, without asking for help. If you watch someone do this, you will see frustration written all over their face. You will often hear strings of curse words. There is lots of grumbling and frequently, there is also blaming someone…
If you have been in business for even a day, you know that your products are probably not the best ones on the market. You may also know that there are lots of people who are serving in the same niche as you, and maybe even doing a better job than you. You know all…
Now that you know how a branded Facebook group can help your business grow, it’s time to learn how to lead a successful Facebook group, so it produces the results you want. Leading a successful Facebook group is not complicated, but it requires a good bit of thought. If you’ve ever been a part of…
How you define success has a lot to do with how you interpreted the title of this post when you read it. Did you take one look and conclude that it was just click bait? Or maybe you read it and muttered that there is no such thing as an overnight success. If you thought…
In January 2015, I launched a training project called Blog Your Brand, exclusively for select Indie Business Network members. It was by application only, and one of the requirements was that you had to publish a new blog once a week or you would be removed from the group. Yes, that’s how serious I am…
One of the things I learned early on in my entrepreneurial journey is that, while opportunities come to everyone, not everyone is ready for the opportunities that come to them. I made this short video tip to emphasize this point. After I posted this video to Instagram, one of our members, Carrie Seibert of Soap…
On Wednesday evenings from 8 to 8:30pm ET, I host #MakerBizChat, an Instagram event to help Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs build a solid business foundation, increase your income, and use your business to create the life you love. Our topic tonight was HOW TO REGAIN MOMENTUM AFTER YOU’VE LOST IT. I chose this topic because…
Twenty two days ago, dozens of Indie Business Network members and I began a journey called the Blog Your Brand 30-Day Challenge. The prize is a complimentary year of membership in the Indie Business Network for everyone who publishes a post, according to our rules, every day from June 14 to July 13, 2015. As…
Iwonder if the title of this post reveals my age. After all, it takes many years of allowing yourself to become frustrated before you just stop it. That’s where I am at this point in my life. After nearly 16 years in business, and a few gray hairs (thanks mostly to my offspring), I rarely…
No matter how many years you are in business, you will experience a crisis of confidence from time to time. Whether it’s negative feedback on social media, a snide remark at a show, or honest (but brutal) critique from a prospective wholesale buyer, things will happen that will cause you to second guess your ability…
If you participate in any professional Facebook groups, you surely know that some people add value to the group while others … not so much. If you are reading this post, you are probably the type of person who wants to add as much value as possible. Luckily, the Indie Business Network private member Facebook…
Into every Maker Business, a little Overwhelm must fall. Dictionary.com defines “overwhelmed” as “to overcome completely in mind or feeling.” Yep. That’s what I mean. As entrepreneurs, we cannot completely eliminate overwhelm. It’s part of the entrepreneurial lifestyle. In fact, if you are not somewhat overwhelmed from time to time, you may be on your…
This past weekend, I had the privilege of speaking at the last ever Central Soapers Workshop. Hosted by our member, Kenna Cote of Modern Soapmaking, the event was huge fun, and filled with people who are so happy to be earning a living making and selling the handmade products their customers love. I received super…
As you’re building your business, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the number of things you have to do reasonably well to be successful. This can be debilitating, causing you to shrink back from accomplishing your goals, or even setting them in the first place. But the truth is that, if you are not regularly…
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou ENTREPRENEURIAL COACHING AND MENTORING The best coaching and mentoring for handmade entrepreneurs is at Indie Beauty Network. Click here to connect at our social network.
“The secret of success is consistency and purpose.” – Benjamin Disraeli ENTREPRENEURIAL COACHING AND MENTORING The best coaching and mentoring for handmade entrepreneurs is at Indie Beauty Network. Click here to connect at our social network.
Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.