Before I get to the fun things coming up this week, I want to share how fantastic I feel after nearly a month of concerted effort to up my fitness game. I have surpassed my goal of 10,000 steps a day. I even took over 18,000 steps on Friday! I am enjoying running, just as…
Like many small business owners, wife and mother Jen Denslow didn’t know what to expect in 2000 when she launched Blooming Lotus, a natural cosmetics company in Kansas City. But she did know she had a passion for creating organic skin care designed with the health of humans, animals, and the planet in mind, and…
Yesterday’s FaceBook Fan Page Question of the Day yielded some interesting discussions on the topic of balancing giving free small business advice with the need to guard time and trade secrets. I noticed a few helpful themes in the discussion), so I thought I would share some of them with you. Of course all small…
People will not buy a product a second time if it doesn’t work the first time. But why do people buy a particular product in the first place? It’s hardly ever because the person they buy it from is the only source for it. It’s almost always because of the experience that comes along with…
A few years ago, I met the only real, professional concert pianist I have ever known, Angela Jia Kim. Angela owns New York-based cosmetics company, Om Aroma. She also manages Savor The Success, a women’s networking group. While I’ve never met Angela in person, we communicate regularly as fellow mompreneurs. I am also one of…
This will be a fun week with lots of excitement, growth and learning. Before I get to that, I want to thank everyone who sent well wishes when I and my children were sick last week. As as I write this, I’m back from a 2.33-mile run on the treadmill (it’s raining outside), and I…
I maintained the Lifestyle CEO blog from September 2005 to September 2006. I recently reviewed it for content I could share with you here. It’s interesting to look back and see where my head was 5 years into my business, now that I’m 10 years into it. I hope you are enjoying some of the…
I maintained the Lifestyle CEO blog from September 2005 to September 2006. I recently reviewed it for content I could share with you here. I was delighted to discover that nearly every post, including this one from September 29, 2005, is more relevant today in some ways than it was when I originally published it.…
One thing that sets a successful business apart from an unsuccessful one is the extent to which the leader of the business makes it a priority to connect with other like-minded business owners. When I launched my first business (which, in case you don’t know, was making and selling soap), the first thing I did…
I maintained the Lifestyle CEO blog from September 2005 to September 2006. I recently reviewed it for content I could share with you here. This post, from September 27, 2005, was originally titled, “As the Crow Flies.” It makes me smile because Sheryl Crow eventually chose one of the options I mentioned, and then made…
I maintained the Lifestyle CEO blog from September 2005 to September 2006. I recently reviewed it for content I could share with you here. This post, originally titled, “… And the Rich Just Get Richer,” is from September 26, 2005, and holds special meaning for me since I was once in-house counsel at a Fortune…
I maintained the Lifestyle CEO blog from September 2005 to September 2006. I recently reviewed it for content I could share with you here. I was delighted to discover that nearly every post is more relevant today than it was when I originally published it. This one, from November 10, 2005, is one of my…
Failure is uncomfortable and embarrassing. But it is also empowering, if you allow it to be. For one thing, failure helps you empathize with others. This is good not only in personal relationships, but also in business ones. When you empathize with the failures and challenges of others, you are better equipped to enhance their…
This is a guest post by John Easton, a recovering corporate executive turned entrepreneur. Through his Charlotte website design company, John helps small business owners create video, web and multimedia tools that turn “browsers” into “buyers.” Follow John on Twitter at @jeaston1. If you would like to submit a guest post for my blog, please…
Donna Maria shares a video where David Allen, author of “Getting Things Done,” provides tips on, well, getting things done. dM summarizes the tips in this post in case you don’t have time to watch the video. This is good stuff!
Donna Maria introduces the Indie Business Book Club.
A few weeks ago, I posted about enjoying lunch with my daughter at her school. For such a short post, it generated a lot of discussion, perhaps in part because it struck a nerve with other women who simultaneously perform professionally and as mothers, without compromising either “career”. I’ve posted in depth about these issues…
Earlier this month, I watched part of a CNN’s Black In America 2. In one segment, Soledad O’Brien interviewed Steve Perry, PhD, principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Ct. Born on his mother’s 16th birthday, into a 3rd generation of poverty, Dr. Perry had all odds against him. Today, he is a brilliant…
Part of the reason I didn’t publish last week’s roll call last week is because I am in the midst of re-working my business week to accommodate a new fitness routine. I am determined to find a rhythm that allows me to be as healthy as my business is. If I had not worked out…
When my children were babies and toddlers, they were so cuddly. Whenever I wanted a hug, I got one. Whenever I wanted a snuggle, I simply started snuggling. It didn’t matter where we were or what was happening, mommy always got the warm fuzzies. Today, my 8-year old daughter still jumps at the chance to…
This week, IBN member Lela Barker, owner of Bella Lucce in Columbia, SC, is launching an exciting new non-profit venture. From Morocco, With Love offers wonderful products imported from the beautiful nation of Morocco. I have seen this venture unfold from the time it formed as a seedling in Lela’s mind, so this week’s launch…