I have been invited to join a panel of judges that will help select a new owner for the Gratitude Soapery in Kansas City. I am so honored to be invited, and to be in some pretty high-falutin’ company too. The other judges are the very wonderful David Fisher of About.com, and also two of…
Today, I’m pleased to share that the Indie Business Network is featured in the “Shop Talk” section of The Charlotte Observer. Along with me, our members Curtis Durham of Bath Nation and Jennifer Devlin of Celtic Complexion and their products are also featured. My favorite thing about this article is that the journalist chose to…
Before you start taking your products to retail stores to sell them, you might want to get into the head of the people you are trying to influence. Retailers are a special type of customer, and they do not respond to the methods you use to sell your products directly to consumers. Yes, there is…
In this post, I announced my topic on #IndieCruise 2014: How to Add Membership and Subscription Programs to Your Business. Today, I’m excited to announce that Indie Business Network member Lela Barker will join me as a speaker on the topic of Beyond Profit: How to Use Your Life and Your Business to Make a…
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…
Our member, Lela Barker of Bella Luccè and Lucky Break Consulting in Columbia, South Carolina, recently returned from a weeks-long trip to Uganda. She took her 15-year old daughter, Chloe, along for the ride. The purpose of the trip was to personally deliver financial aid, reading books and encouragement to children in an orphanage in…
Today, I’m excited to share that I have been invited to speak at the Tennessee Soap and Candle Social on May 4th, 2013, at the Scarritt-Bennett Center in the beautiful city of Nashville. Hosted by Rachel Turner of Music City Suds, the Tennessee Soap and Candle Social is an annual gathering of soapmakers and candlemakers…
Today, I’m honored to announce that I’ve joined the team at Global Shea Alliance as 2013 Global Shea Conference Social Media Liaison. You can read the Global Shea Alliance announcement here. For those who don’t know, I have traveled to Africa previously, in particular living for a time in Johannesburg, South Africa, where I taught…
The holidays are in full swing, and it’s time to introduce you to more of America’s “real” small businesses, featured in IBN’s 2012 Handmade Holiday Gift Guide. Today, I’m pleased to introduce Magic Moon SoapWorks, Bella Lucce and Naturally Good Soaps! Let me tell you a little about these companies.
I am pleased to announce that IBN member Lela Barker of Bella Luccè in Columbia, South Carolina, will join join me and dozens of other Indies on #IndieCruise 2013 as a speaker and fellow MasterMinder. The theme for #IndieCruise 2013 is Conceive! Believe! Achieve!, making Lela’s topic of How To Get More Retail Stores To…
Donna Maria shares a bit of the fun from #Indie Cruise MasterMind 2012.
Donna Maria introduces Jewel Emery, #IndieCruise 2012 scholarship winner.
Donna Maria shares commentary on the choice of turning a hobby into a business.
Donna Maria announces June 13 #SmallBizRollCall co-host, Lela Barker of Bella Lucce.
Donna Maria shares how to enjoy her weekly podcast, and how IBN members can appear as co-hosts!
Donna Maria announces a Cookie Tweetup, and interviews entrepreneur Teri Pringle, founder and CEO of Blue Flour-Best Baked Goods in Columbia, South Carolina.
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…
I am pleased to announce that, on December 3 and 4, I’m leading another delegation to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The purpose of my visits is to share small business perspectives on pending cosmetics legislation, and also on current rules, regulations and current events affecting the cosmetics industry. This is my second…
Donna Maria shares some of the story of indie beauty entrepreneur Lela Barker of Bella Lucce.