What’s Your Exit Strategy?: How One Indie Took Her Dream Full-Time
Donna Maria shares the story of how Indie Beauty Network member Kristen Fraser Cotte left her job to work in her beauty business full-time.
The New Family Business
Donna Maria shares how parents can work together to raise kids and profits at the same time in a family business.
Wow! I Coulda Had A VA!
Donna Maria interviews Ginger Derrickson, her Virtual Assistant, about the benefits of hiring a VA.
Are You Cheating Yourself and Your Customers?
Donna Maria interviews IBN member Rosanne Tartaro of SunRose Aromatics about her business and her new book, “Chakra Balancing: A Beginner’s Guide.”
Does Your Small Business Need Insurance?
A Survey Designed to Help Me Serve You Better As you know, one of the things IBN offers to its members through a highly rated insurance broker is products liability insurance. I am currently working with the company to expand the types of coverage offered to include professional beauty service providers such as estheticians, nail…
The Focus Factor
Donna Maria encourages readers to focus their marketing efforts on a smaller number of products in order to maximize impact and profits.
The Indie Business Model
Donna Maria shares the Indie Business Model, her 10-step approach to launching a small business.
One-Way Blogging: Is it Worth It?
dM interviews Lela Barker of Bella Lucce about the benefits of blogging for business, and why she does not allow comments at her blog.
“Post And Go” Blogging
dM interviews Dawn Fitch of Pooka Pure & Simple about the benefits of blogging for business.
Top 10 Reasons To Buy Indie
[Note: this post was slightly updated on February 22, 2010.] I am the founder and president of the Indie Beauty Network (IBN) so it will come as no surprise that I think my members make the best products in the world. Whether you want candles, sugar scrubs, perfumes, essential oils, lotions, jewelry, body oils, hair…
Soap and Business, The Indie Beauty Way!
Longtime Indie Beauty Member Struts Her Stuff I am always so pleased with the success of Indie Beauty Network members. Of course "success" is different for all 650+ of our members, but there’s no denying that video makes it easy to share what my members are doing. Today, I’m pleased to present this clip where…
Vault Episode #85: Edwin Gaskin [Podcast]
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The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 85 featuring my interview with Edwin Gaskin, a financial planner at Gateway Capital Financial. Edwin specializes in working with families and small businesses, helping them navigate the complexities of financial planning and make…
Craft Gossip
Check Out The Latest Indie Beauty Gossip I love gossip — craft gossip that is. But with two young’uns, a radio show and a growing business, there’s not much time for crafting (or gossip) unless it’s done with safety scissors and crayons. But I can live vicariously through Craft Gossip. Former Indie Beauty Network member…
Giving Without Breaking The Bank
Tips for Being a Cheerful Giver All Year Long It’s mid-October and the season of opportunitites to donate to various worthy causes is upon us. For most Indies, philanthropy is not seasonal. Instead, we give back in numerous ways, not all of them financial, all year long. I believe that how much we give is…
The Family That Grinds Together Binds Together
During a radio show interview this morning, I was asked how couples could be successful in business despite challenging life issues that are common to all families. I told them about Kibby and Jay Mitra and Sheri and Rich Schmelzer. During the show, the hosts joked about how an increase in family businesses could result…
Blogging Tools: An Overview (Blogging For Business: Part III)
Donna Maria shares an overview of blogging tools, including Wordpress, Typepad, Blogger and Movable Type.
Family Business Success: Meet Kibby and Jay Mitra of From Nature With Love
Since it was originally published in 2007, this article has been slightly edited to remove dead links and update the formatting. Thank you for visiting! The media devotes much attention to big business success, but not so much to small family business success. Let’s also hear it for the “regular” moms and dads who are…
Conference Photos!
Here are some pictures from the Conference of Handcrafted Soap Makers held earlier this month. As you can see, I was like the paparazzi flitting around from one Indie to another meeting, greeting and photo-opping. Will post more photos later. L. dM and Brenda Sievers of Oak Court Creations. Brenda sells soap, candle and cosmetic…
What? Another Blog?!
Donna Maria announces the launch of Indie Business Blog.
Vault Episode #60: James Arthur Ray [Podcast]
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The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 60 featuring my interview with James Arthur Ray. Today’s guest challenges conventional wisdom by asserting that “balance is bogus.” With appearances on prestigious platforms like the Oprah Winfrey show, James advocates that true…
Vault Episode #25: Rachel Hamman [Podcast]
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The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 25 where we are thrilled to present an inspiring interview with two remarkable guests, Rachel Hamman, the first-time published author of “Bye Bye Boardroom: Confessions,” and Rachel Ratski. Join us as we…