On Thursdays at 8pm ET, IBN hosts #HandmadeChat, a weekly Twitter talk show designed to help you sell more of the products you make. If you've never attended before, now is the time. It's a fun, informative, super supportive environment where you'll learn so much about making your business more successful. Today, I'm pleased to announce our new format.
Beginning this week, #HandmadeChat will feature interviews with even more successful handmade entrepreneurs who will Tweet their most helpful success secrets for you! Want to know how they landed a media feature? They'll tell you on #HandmadeChat.
Want to know what blogs and books they read to boost their success quotient? They'll tell you that too. Interested in how they landed on their feet after being laid off a good paying job? Want to know how they found a mentor? Opened a store? Organize their days? Make such great products year after year?
And as you'll see below, you can submit your questions for them in advance! So cozy up on Thursday evenings with me and a cup of tea, and get the goods to grow your business from your fellow Indies who are doing it big in 2013! Here is the lineup for January 2013!
January 3: Dawn Fitcha: Pooka Pure and Simple, Orange, New Jersey, upper left
Combining her love for aromatherapy and the need to take better care of herself, Dawn began creating her own bath and body products. Just for fun, she took a few of her hand made products to sell at a local festival and sold out! The response was tremendous. That’s when the realization hit that she had an incredible business idea and Pooka was born.
Since those humble beginnings, Dawn has grown Pooka into a successful venture that includes a retail store and live parties for people lucky enough to live in the Orange, New Jersey, area. Dawn and her products have been featured in dozens of magazines and television news and entrepreneurial shows. I'll interview Dawn to get her best media outreach tips and find out what she does to keep her business and her self going strong.
Dawn has been an IBN member since 2009.
Got a question for Dawn? Submit it here.
January 10: Cindy Jones, PhD: Sagescript and Colorado Aromatics, Longmont, Colorado, upper right
Cindy leads Sagescript Institute, a farm-based cosmetics science company that offers formulating, microbiology, private label, bulk bases and herbs and herb extracts to small cosmetics companies. Situated on her Colorado herb farm, Cindy also creates the Colorado Aromatics brand of skin care products.
On this #Handmadechat, Cindy will share her commentary on the improtance of plant-based skincare, and how you can use natural ingredients to maintain skin health.
Cindy has been an IBN member since 2009.
Got a question for Cindy? Submit it here.
January 17: Kristen Bowen: Living the Good Life, Naturally, Logan, Utah, middle
Kristen is a master soap and lotion maker who produces natural, organically based soaps, lotions, scrubs, lip frostings, and other natural products. She also hosts the Living the Good Life … Naturally radio show.
Kristen will join us to share her best ideas and recipes for natural home and lifestyle, as well as natural weight loss and energy renewal for the New Year!
Kristen has been an IBN member since 2012.
Got a question for Kristen? Submit it here.
January 24: Emily Caswell: GCD Spa, Topsham Maine, bottom left
Emily designs “tiny thank-yous in personalized packages.” From lip balm, to sugar scrub to lotion, she makes lovely gifts for your wedding, baby shower or other special occasion, so you can make your guests and friends feel like they are the most important people in the world.
Emily will join us to share her take on the growing importance of customization and how she has managed to grow her business while also managing a busy home and family.
Emily has been an IBN member since 2006.
Got a question for Emily? Submit it here.
January 31: Lori Nova: The Nova Studio, San Francisco Bay area, bottom right
Lori is the founder of the destination location, The Nova Studio, where you can learn how to make everything from mineral makeup to cold process soap. People from all over the world visit The Nova Studio, and I have the pleasure of being one of her instructors.
Join us as we talk with Lori about growing a destination location, and also, about keeping it all going when you have an infant in tow — Lori had her first child this year. Bring it moms!!
Lori has been an IBN member since 2006.
Got a question for Lori? Submit it here.
See how to participate in #HandmadeChat here.
See you on January 3, for #HandmadeChat. Remember to read the easy instructions here if you don't already know how to participate.
And by the way, we choose our topics based on feedback from you! If you have any ideas, please complete the #HandmadeChat Survey, so we can consider your suggestions!
The best coaching and mentoring for handmade entrepreneurs is at Indie Beauty Network. Click here to connect at our social network.
