Unbelievably, it’s nearly 70° in Charlotte on Christmas Day! It’s a bit of a challenge to feel “Christmas-y” when it’s this warm, but regardless of the temperature, it’s still a wonderful day. My kids are happy with multiple electronics devices hanging out of their ears and hanging off of their bodies, plus there is a…
If you like gifting candles for the holidays, you are in good company. According to the National Candle Association, 76% of people view candles as an appropriate gift for the holidays. In case you are one of those people, this post will make it easy for you to give the gift of candles to add…
If you’ve been following my entrepreneurial journey for a while, you may remember that I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina eight years ago from my hometown of Washington, DC. This was a relatively easy transition for me since I set up the Indie Business Network from the very beginning to allow me to work from…
What better day to announce 2×4 Live than today — Small Business Saturday! After nearly sixteen years of business ownership, which was preceded by a long career working for someone else, I have concluded that entrepreneurship is the most rewarding way to provide for yourself and your family while you also have fun and create…
As I embrace this wonderful day that we set aside in the US to reflect on the abundance and blessings in our lives, my thoughts turn to my Indie Business Network members, and Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs around the world. While we come from different backgrounds, and we have different hopes and dreams, a thread…
Our IBN member Access Q+A Coaching Call has a new twist this month! Today, we’re debuting a “Hot Seat” coaching feature where a member or two, selected in advance, sit in our Hot Seat so our coaches can help them Masteremind (brainstorm) a specific challenge in their business. As always, our call will be recorded…
Have you heard of Periscope? Of course you have. Have you used it? Have you used it well? Would you like to learn how to use it better, from someone who is one of the earliest adapters … and who has nearly a million hearts!!? (You must know what “hearts” are, right?!) If you want…
After the debut of our newest member benefit, our Member Makeover last month, I knew we were onto something. The hands-on, deep dive, live review of one of our member’s websites, niche, and brand presence not only informed her, but it also informed the entire membership. There is no better learning atmosphere then one filled…
I am pleased to announce the release of our 2015 Handmade Holiday Gift Guide! Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs from across North American are going all out to make sure you have wonderful local handmade goodness to share with your friends and loved ones this holiday season. Announcing the 2015 Handmade Holiday Gift Guide! Our Handmade…
The big day is finally here! It’s the day of our first Indie Business Network Member Makeover, where we take a deep dive into a member’s website and answer their questions and make suggestions for how they can make their online presence even better. We start promptly at 1pm EST (11am MDT | 12pm CST…
I am SO EXCITED to share the launch of the Indie Business Network’s newest member benefit: The Virtual Hot Seat. (If you already know you want to be the first to sit in our Virtual Hot Seat, click here to apply.) As you know, our Head Coach, Christine Laureano of Ba6 Botanicals and Ba6 Content…
Would you like to ask the insurance broker who services IBN’s product liability insurance program some questions? Are you uncertain about exactly what is and is not covered? Are you considering buying insurance, but are not sure whether or not you need it? Thinking about switching to IBN’s program, but want to get some questions…
Earlier this year, Amazon announced plans to launch a handmade market place. That should come as no huge surprise I guess since Amazon’s mission is to sell everything to everybody. Watch this video to learn more. What is really interesting about this is that Amazon is already selling in its main store tons of the…
Today, I am hosting one of my most popular member events — our monthly Access Q+A Coaching Call! Not only do we get to take a break from being in the weeds to connect and grow together, but our members get answers to the most challenging business, success, and lifestyle questions that are affecting them…
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you know that I am hosting Connection Day in Portland next week. And unless you’ve been under a bigger rock, you know that Essential Wholesale EWL is my sponsor and co-host. What you may not know is how EWL can help you grow your cosmetics business, and…
Are you curious about what it takes to get media attention for your business? Are you afraid to pitch? Maybe you know you’re not ready and don’t know what to do to position yourself to be ready? Wondering what to do to get your brand ready for prime time media attention? If you find yourself…
I am thrilled to announce our members who are finalists in the 2015 Martha Stewart American Made Awards! You can vote for your favorites every day, through October 19. The Audience Choice Award Winner will be announced on or about October 23, 2015, and will win a trip for the winner and a guest to…
Today is another great day because we are hosting what is fast becoming one of our most popular member events — our Access Q+A Coaching Calls! Not only do we get to take a break from being in the weeds to connect and grow together, but our members get answers to the most pressing business…
You all know how critical I believe blogging is to the overall success of your business. One of the reasons blogging works so well is because you can use Rich Site Summary (RSS) to automatically deliver new blog content to subscribers via email or via a reader (like Feedly, the one I use). Well, today,…
Entrepreneurship can be lonely … but not for members of the Indie Business Network. Every month, I and IBN’s Head Coach, Christine Laureano, host a private coaching call exclusively for members of the Indie Business Network so they can get answers to their most pressing business and success questions. Today’s call was one of our…
Today, I purchased my ticket to the 2015 Martha Stewart American Made Summit, set for Saturday, November 7, in New York City. If you have not purchased your ticket, you can do so here … and save $50 if you share the event on Facebook as you register. (I did!) Whether or not you are…