One of the questions I am most often asked by new members is, “What should I do first now that I am a member of the Indie Business Network?” There are so many benefits to joining the Indie Business Network (you can see them here), and it can be a big daunting to decide where…
The new 2014 Indie Business Network member badge is here! Indie Business Network members in good standing can log in and grab the code for the badge for the current year at this link. The badge looks like this, except the year is 2014 and there is no “sample” watermark. The badge is available in…
Before you start taking your products to retail stores to sell them, you might want to get into the head of the people you are trying to influence. Retailers are a special type of customer, and they do not respond to the methods you use to sell your products directly to consumers. Yes, there is…
It’s hard to believe 2014 is really here, and I am so excited about it. Last year was awesome and this year is already shaping up to be even better as I embrace new opportunities to help you build and strengthen the business of your dreams. I have noticed that many of you are asking…
During these last few days of 2013, I am reflecting on the fabulous year it has been. I have the privilege to wake up every morning to live the life of my dreams doing what I love. There is nothing like this way of living. Through IBN, I help others discover and use their unique…
Dozens of our members had fun exchanging gifts during our first annual Indie Business Network Secret Santa Gift Exchange. All of the gifts were personally handmade (of course) by the Secret Santa member and had a retail value of somewhere around $20.00. Pictured here are aromatherapy soaps in Cashmere, Holiday Magic and Cinnamint, gifted to…
I‘m excited to introduce a new topic we’ll be covering here at the blog. The idea is to showcase the ingredients and product components our members use to make the fantastic handmade products they sell. Our members make everything from perfume, to james and jellies, to soaps, to bath bombs, to candles … and hundreds…
I am very excited to share an amazingly new thing that we have never done before here at the Indie Business Network. Announcing Connection Day 2014! Connection Day will be hosted in multiple cities in 2014, starting with Atlanta. Other cities will be added soon including: Los Angeles, Dallas Ft. Worth, Chicago, New York City,…
It was a fun ride, but the Indie Business Studio closed in 2014. You can read a little about why in this post. Thank you for visiting! The big day finally arrived. After months of planning and anticipation, I hosted the grand opening for our new Indie Business Network Headquarters and the Indie Business Studio.…
One of the fun things I have planned for the Indie Business Studio grand opening is an artisan coffee service from the Franklin Street Coffee Company. From the beginning, this seemed like the perfect addition since the coffee shop opened around the corner back in June. Over the weekend, I confirmed our pricing and arrangement,…
Since it was originally published in September 2013, this article has been updated to reflect the current status of the trademark dispute. Thank you for visiting! Bonnie Garrity of Good Earth Spa in Indianapolis, Indiana, say she believes that Trademark No. 4359286 for the word mark SOAP LOAF, registered to Petunia Farms of Liverpool, New…
If you are in the South Charlotte/Monroe area and you see this brightly colored flyer (or the black and white version of it) announcing our grand opening, be sure to pick it up! We are thrilled with the fun design by Jenny Prevatte of TwiliteCS. As you can see, it’s brightly colored and fun just…
If you get my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, you know that I am looking at the possibility of hosting a local radio show here in my adopted hometown of Monroe, NC. Reed Alexander, one of the station personalities, has invited me to be his guest on the morning show tomorrow at 10:00. Reed…
As you know, the ribbon cutting grand opening of Indie Business Studio is set for October 3 at 5:30. Get the details here. One of the things I’m most excited about is giving everyone in attendance chances to win fabulous raffle prizes. If you are one of the first to arrive, you’ll also get a…
I am back from a glorious weekend in New York City where I debuted The Lifestyle CEO to an awesome group of new entrepreneurs. I covered a lot of ground, and while my slides don’t tell the whole picture, they offer some insight into core principles for success as a small business owner. Just so…
As the founder and CEO of the Indie Business Network, I invest most of my time creating content and hosting events that help our members take the next big steps on their entrepreneurial journey. But I also like to have a little fun, so I spent some time last week having this caricature made. It…
In my last Throwback Thursday, I shared a bit of the background leading up to the publication of my first book, Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions. Today, it’s all about our very first newsletter. Here’s a screen shot. You can read the first issue online at our old website here. So plain, so colorless. But…
If you know me, you know I am all about defining and owning life and business on your own terms. You probably also know that my personal and business missions are the same: empowering women (and guys too!) to maximize their potential through small business ownership. That’s why, when serial New York Times best selling…
I am pleased to announce that my family and I will host the grand opening party for the Indie Business Studio outside Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday, October 3, from 5:30pm to 8pm. The ribbon cutting will take place promptly at 5:30.* Our address is 206-B North Hayne Street in Monroe, just 30 minutes south…
If you missed last week’s Throwback Thursday about Indie Business Network’s first media feature, you can get it here. Today, I’ll share about how my book, Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions, came to be published back in 2000. In 1998, I was still toiling away at a “real” job by weekday, but by night and…
You are invited to join me for a complimentary Indie Business Network Member Access Q+A Call on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 8:00 pm Eastern Time (7:00 pm Central, 6:00 pm Mountain, 5:00 pm Pacific). As you may know, among the many ongoing benefits of Indie Business Network membership are our frequent coaching and mentoring…