Last week, I posted our second Throwback Thursday, sharing how the first thing I did when I launched Indie Business Network was publish a newsletter. Today, I’ll share how we landed our first media feature on January 31, 2001. Unfortunately, I did not retain the original tear sheet, but it still appears online today. Here…
If you missed last week’s Throwback Thursday, sharing some of the life changing experiences that compelled me to leave the “safety” of a “secure” job to start the Indie Business Network, you can get it here. This week, I take you through the first steps I took launching the business, and share some of the…
For the next several months, on Thursdays, as founder and CEO of the Indie Business Network, I will guide you on a walk down memory lane to celebrate our nearly fourteen years of service to handmade and creative beauty entrepreneurs worldwide. We start our journey with a look back nearly 20 years when I was…
We’re so excited to tell you about The Soapmasters, a new learning and empowerment event from longtime Indie Business Network member, La Shonda Tyree of Handmade Soap Coach in Paterson, New Jersey, and I have a coupon code for you to attend at a $50 discount!! Scroll to the bottom to get the details. I…
You probably know that the Indie Business Network places a premium on empowering our members to find their voice through blogging. Over the years, we’ve hosted dozens of private and member events designed to show our members the power of blogging, and to equip them to do it right. Today, with the Indie Business Bloggers…
We are pleased to announce that the new Indie Business Network member badge for Etsy sellers is here! The idea for this badge came from our member, Etsy shop owner Shari Lewis of Blossom & Twig, in Vanceboro, North Carolina, who told us that she wanted a way to let her Etsy customers know that…
We are pleased to introduce our new Indie Assist, a native of Chicago, where he resides with his beloved pets. He is a seasoned “handmade aficionado,” making his own products and supporting local artists in his town. He “gets” makers and creative entrepreneurs, and we are thrilled that he is on our team. Here’s a…
As many of you know, we hosted the first episode of #HandmadeChat on Twitter on August 18, 2011. Over the years, we welcomed thousands of attendees from all walks of life, and covered dozens of topics with guests who graciously shared their time and expertise to help you be successful in your business. In total,…
Have you ever considered creating a private Facebook group so your customers, members, and/or clients can connect with you and each other more personally and efficiently? We have had a private group for our annual #IndieCruise for several years, and it works well to keep us connected between cruises and to welcome new cruise registrants.Now,…
On Thursday evenings at 8pm ET, Indie Business Network hosts #HandmadeChat, a Twitter talk show to educate, train and inspire creative and artisan entrepreneurs to become profitable business owners. While the show is aimed mainly at entrepreneurs who make and sell handmade consumer products, the topics and discussions can empower and encourage the growth of…
We are pleased to announce that the new 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 2013 and there is no “sample” watermark.…
For those who have not yet heard, the Indie Business Studio will open this summer outside Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to learning how to make your own soaps, cosmetics, candles, herbal remedies and aromatherapy products, you’ll enjoy classes on how to manage a profitable artisan handmade business. The space will also serve as the…
On Thursdays at 8pm ET, IBN hosts #HandmadeChat, a weekly Twitter talk show to coach, inform and inspire handmade and creative entrepreneurs. If you’ve never attended, now is the time. #HandmadeChat is a fun, inspirational and supportive event where you’ll learn so much about making your business more successful. As you’ll see below, you can…
On Thursday evenings from 8 to 9pm ET, IBN hosts #HandmadeChat, a Twitter talk show to to educate, train and inspire creative and artisan entrepreneurs to be successful business owners. While the show is aimed mainly at business owners who make and sell handmade consumer products, the topics and discussions can empower and encourage the…
I came across this insightful information graphic showing the evolution of entrepreneurship, and I wanted to share it with you. Notice how it all began with Renaissance Tradesmen (and women!) — artisans who turned their ability to make things into a living. These creative entrepreneurs not only knew how to make beautiful things that people…
Welcome to our new website! We are excited that you are here with us to celebrate a new look. Watch our short welcome video … we’re so glad you’re here! When we began serving handmade entrepreneurs in 2000, the handmade beauty industry hadn’t fully formed yet. It’s always growing and shifting of course, and Indie…
On Thursdays at 8pm ET, IBN hosts #HandmadeChat, a weekly Twitter talk show to coach, inform and inspire handmade and creative entrepreneurs. If you’ve never attended, now is the time. #HandmadeChat is a fun, inspirational and supportive event where you’ll learn so much about making your business more successful. As you’ll see below, you can…
Looking back, I am still stunned at what has happened in my life since I quit a pretty “secure” job to start making beauty products full-time. Of course, I’m not making products to sell anymore, but I still marvel at how the “stupid” idea of starting a nationwide trade organization from scratch now empowers many…
Today’s the day — #IndieMeetup Newark, hosted by IBN’s Local Director: La Shonda Tyree. The fun goes from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at The Crop Shop, 720 Monroe Street in Hoboken. In case you have never been there, The Crop Shop is a wonderful arts and crafts boutique offering classes to help kids and adults…
Tomorrow’s the day — the first #IndieMeetup in Chicago, hosted by Maia Singletary, our new Local Director there! The fun starts at 1:00 at the Overflow Coffee Bar at 1550 S. State St. in Chi-town. By he way, Overflow Coffee is not just any old coffee spot. It’s Indie and woman owned, and all…
Did you know that simple things we do every day without thinking can form the basis for a multi-million dollar income stream? Consider my friend, Linda Lewis, inventor of Breast Chek Kit, a patented seamless breast self-exam shirt that makes it easy for women to conduct and track monthly self-breast examinations comfortably and privately. Who…