This week’s Indie Business Podcast features my interview with Dan Marshall, founder and vice president of the Handmade Toy Alliance (HTA) and co-owner with his wife of PeaPods Natural Toys & Babycare in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dan is a small business advocate who focuses his efforts mainly on the impact on small businesses of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). He has met with Consumer Product Safety Commission staffers and commissioners, rallied in Wash ington, DC and testified on Capitol Hill.

Dan, who once sold retirement plans for a large financial company, and his wife sell as many locally and domestically made products as possible, including bath and body care products. At the beginning of the podcast, Dan shared the story of how he and his wife started their business — an interesting story reflecting the growth of small and family-owned businesses nationwide. During the rest of the show, he shared tips and insights on how you can positively impact public policy as an Indie Business owner.

1. Get Involved Early. Dan says it’s imperative for small companies in all industries to become involved in legislative processes, nationwide and at the state and local level. The earlier you become involved in the lawmaking process, the better chance you have of influencing the outcome. It’s nearly impossible to change something once it becomes law. The time to influence the process is early on, when a bill is in committee and can be changed through the amendment and information sharing process.

2. Don’t Assume A Bill Is Tailored To A Specific Problem. Dan regrets concluding early on that CPSIA would specifically target a particular problem, and not impose burdens on small companies that were not causing that problem.

   For example, when he first heard of the bill, he knew it would require third party testing of toys imported from other countries. He thought that was a good idea, and really didn’t investigate much further. Several months later, when it was far later in the process, he discovered that the testing requirements were not just for companies that imported toys, but also for small companies making toys in the USA — and not using any of the components that must be tested for in the legislation.

3. Get The Media’s Attention. In Dan’s experience, lawmakers do not seek out small companies to find out what the impact of legislation would be on tiny companies. They are also understandably hard to catch up with — unless the media is involved. In the podcast, Dan shares exactly how he used the power and leverage of the media at well attended press conference at his retail store.
4. Stories. In addition to the media, the most effective way to get a lawmaker’s attention is to tell the stories of his or her constituents. They can overlook a lot of things, but they can’t overlook the real life experiences of the people who vote for them.
5. Join Industry Trade Groups. Dan started HTA so that he could organize people like him into a cohesive group that could speak with one voice on the issues. He suggests that every small and independent business owner join an established trade group, or even start one as he did, so that the very small companies participating in that industry have an organized way to make their stories and positions known.

Listen to the Show

You can get more of Dan’s insights about how small and independent business owners can positively influence public policy wherever it’s convenient for you:

• You can download it on iTunes.
• You can stream or download it at my radio show website.
• You can stay where you are and simply click on the arrow at the bottom of this post to listen right now!

Question: What do you think of Dan’s advice? How are you positively impacting public policy as a small business owner, in your hometown or at the national level?

This week’s Indie Business Podcast features my interview with Willie Pietersen, Professor of the Practice of Management at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business and author of Strategic Learning: How to Be Smarter Than Your Competition and Turn Key Insights into Competitive Advantage (affiliate link).

The theme of this interview is that business success comes only when you understand your customers better than your competitors do, and when you act on that understanding with laser sharp focus. I highly recommend that you listen to the entire show at least once to absorb all of the golden nuggets Willie shared with me. Here are some of the highlights.

1. Understand your customers. To illustrate, Willie used the example of what he says is Google’s mission statement: “We organize the world’s information, and make it universally accessible and useful.” He also used the example of how Starbucks describes its business: “We’re not in the coffee business serving people. We’re in the people business serving coffee.”

   In each case, notice the emphasis on the people being served, not on the product being offered. According to Willie, if you can wrap your vision around people more than products, you exponentially increase your chances of success in business.

2. Focus wins. Willie said, “All things to all people is the original recipe for failure.” Can any statement be more pointed and eloquent?
3. “Value proposition” is a meaningless catch phrase. Willie says you should banish “value proposition” from your vocabulary because it is an absolute, not a comparative, statement. In other words, if you offer value, so what? You’re not the only one offering the same or similar value. Today, says Willie, it’s all about winning propositions. It’s about positioning the value you offer so it resonates so specifically with your customers that they can’t help but choose you.
4. The art of choosing. And speaking of choosing, Willie reminds us that, “A choice is not a choice until you’ve decided what you will not do.” This statement was so profound that I had to stop and repeat it to myself a few times as Willie explained what he meant. You’ll definitely have to listen to the show to apply this to yourself. This is a critical point for Indies because our creativity can sometimes overtake our business sense, leading to exhaustion and then failure. As you choose what you will do, it’s important to eliminate all of the time wasters that would render your choice meaningless.
5. Prioritize with intention. “The longer your list of priorities, the smaller your chances of achieving any of them,” says Willie. These few words emphasize the importance of managing realistic priorities and making sure that your daily productivity flow is in alignment with your priorities. If you have too many priorities, you’re doomed. If you have no priorities, you’re doomed.

   Behaving in accordance with a manageable collection of priorities is the only path to small business success.

If you’re like me, you’re ready to leave wherever it is you are, and fly to Columbia University to pursue a degree in business management with Willie (uhm, Professor Pietersen) in your pocket. But alas, it probably won’t happen. This podcast is the next best thing, I assure you!

Listen to the Show

I’m excited to share that this show was sponsored by Essential Wholesale, offering the world’s largest supply of naturally derived cosmetics bases in the world. You can follow Essential Wholesale’s co-CEO, Kayla Fioravanti, on Twitter and on FaceBook for inspiring business, cosmetics and aromatherapy tips.

You can enjoy more of Willie’s Indie-focused strategies to outsmart the competition at whichever location is most convenient for you:

• You can download it on iTunes. (It usually takes a few hours for Podpress to feed the show to iTunes so if you don’t see it there when you read this post, please try again later.
• You can stream or download it at my radio show website.
• You can stay where you are and simply click on the arrow at the bottom of this post to listen right now!

Coming Up June 28!

On Monday at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio, Neil Tepper, author of Prescriptions for Living a Creative Life: Simple Remedies for Common Maladies in Our 24/7 World
(affiliate link), discusses tips for finding the bridge to creativity that leads to greater power, passion, and purpose. Need some of that? I do!

To join the show, just click here at 1:00pm EST on Monday! See you then!

Question: Which of Willie’s quotes and tips resonates most with you?

This week’s Indie Business Podcast features my interview with Pam Slim, author of Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur (affiliate link). Like me, Pam left a “real” many years ago to enjoy building a career on her own terms. She’s also a wife and a mom, so I know many of you will identify with portions of her journey. Pam volunteered after work as a teacher at a non-profit martial arts organization in San Francisco before she started her own business. She says that turning 30 was one of the things that caused her to rethink how we structured her life.

(The photo is of me and Pam at a networking event last year.) Pam didn’t have a plan when she left her job, but through the years, with tenacity and consistency, she has build a coaching business that helps people, well, escape from their cubicles. In this podcast, you will enjoy hearing Pam share some of the details about how she successfully juggles business, wife-hood and motherhood. You will also learn a bit about the four stages of a journey from a cubicle to a business of your own. There are more details in the podcast, but if you’d rather read an overview of the four stages, here they are:

1. Stage 1: Deciding to make a change. This stage is all about getting tuned into where you are in your life. Why are you restless? Why are you seeking change? What are you passionate enough about to explore further? What’s fun for you, and what’s not fun?

   Pam says that this time frame may have little to do with business, because it’s mainly about pinpointing where you are and where you want to go. At the end of this stage, you’ve identified what’s truly important to you.

2. Stage 2: Dreaming and scheming. Now that you know what makes your heart sing (or not), you can begin to explore. Journaling and trying new things. For example, spend an afternoon at a bookstore reading books and magazines that inspire you. This will help you begin to dream about doing things that will lead you to creating the life you seek. Also, bookmarking website pages that resonate with you. You may or may not use them later, but during the dreaming stage, it’s about letting your imagination soar as you imagine what’s possible.

3. Stage 3: The “hero” stage. Here is where you test drive a few ideas. Figure out which ones seem to have the most promise and take them for a spin. Pam suggests creating a very small line of products. Focus on bringing something very specific into the real of the tangible. In this way, you will develop a real track record and learn as much as possible. No matter what happens, you are a hero for taking the bull by the horns. Even if things don’t work out the way you envision, you are empowered with the information you need to go in whatever direction appeals to you.

4. Stage 4: The “promised land”. In the final stage, you reach the so-called “promised land.” Since your niche has been established and your systems are in place, it’s a matter of working them to expand the core and increase your business opportunities.

Pam credits Martha Beck for this useful summary of the process. Of course it oversimplifies things a bit, so if you are looking to escape from your cubicle, I suggest listening to the entire show and putting Pam’s suggestions to use in your life. Whether you are just now starting your own side hustle, or just need inspiration to hang in there and take things to the next level, Pam’s book can help you achieve.

Listen to the Show

I’m excited to share that this show was sponsored by Bramble Berry, offering an amazing array of soapmaking supplies for the hobbiest and the serious business owner. You can follow Bramble Berry’s CEO, Anne-Marie Faiola, on Twitter and on FaceBook for inspiring business, health and lifestyle tips, plus soapmaking tips, tricks and fun.

You can enjoy more of Pam’s Indie-focused small business success tips at whichever location is most convenient for you:

• You can download it on iTunes. (It usually takes a few hours for Podpress to feed the show to iTunes so if you don’t see it there when you read this post, please try again later.
• You can stream or download it at my radio show website.
• You can stay where you are and simply click on the arrow at the bottom of this post to listen right now!

Coming Up June 21!

On Monday at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio, Willie Pietersen, author of Strategic Learning: How to Be Smarter Than Your Competition and Turn Key Insights into Competitive Advantage (affiliate link), will share some strategic learning techniques you can use to rapidly respond to change and gain a sustainable advantage over your competitors.

See you then!

Question: What do you think of the stages to escape from cubicle nation? Can you see any of yourself in them? tips for Indies? How can you incorporate them into your marketing outreach?

My most recent Indie Business Podcast features my interview with Brian Solis, principal of FutureWorks and author of Engage: The Complete Guide for Brands and Businesses to Build, Cultivate, and Measure Success in the New Web (affiliate link). Brian is one of the most prominent thought leaders and published authors in new media. If you have not visited Brian’s blog, I strongly encourage you to add it to your weekly reading list.

If you can’t find the time to digest Brian’s nearly daily meaty social media commentary, then be sure you don’t miss this 30-minute podcast. In it, Brian and I addressed a number of topics aimed specifically at helping Indies successfully embrace social media. It’s well worth your time to stream or download the entire podcast, but in the meantime, here are 3 ways to make the most of social media outreach.

1. Leave the past behind. According to Brian, one of the main reasons many Indies are not making the most of social media can be explained by the fact that many are still stuck in Web 1.0. In times past, it was acceptable to initiate conversations, push out information, and talk”at” people. Today, those things are unacceptable. Today, you must talk “with” people. What’s more, you are not starting most of the conversations. Other people are.

   Whether or not you like it, people are talking about you . You have to leave your comfort zone and not only join their discussions but also facilitate them. Other people are leaving digital footprints about the products and services you offer. In order to attract and retain their attention, you must know who they are, listen to what they are saying, and make them a part of the process.

2. Find the people, then go to them. Every experienced social media practitioner will tell you that “listening” is the first step to successful implementation of any social media strategy. After all, you can’t participate in a conversation if you don’t know what the subject matter is or how to make your best contribution.

   Brian expanded on this concept by confirming that one of the reasons people become frustrated with social media is because they reach out, but no one reaches back. The problem with this strategy is that it supposes that people will come to us, when social requires you to go to people. Not only must you listen, but you must listen to the right conversations in the right places.

   Where you should listen and what you should listen to is unique to your individual business. To find out where the right conversations are, Brian recommends checking out Analytic,ly, a low cost service that monitors keywords and conversations on Twitter. Listening reveals the “right” conversations and empowers you with the information you need to participate efficiently and effectively.

3. Be engagement-worthy. If you ‘re not worthy of the people’s attention, you will not be heard. As you bring increased value to the table, participants in communities that form around you will begin to get something out of being connected to you . As your influence grows, suddenly, you become the resource for the specific type of information being discussed. According to Brian, it’s about

   helping people do things they couldn’t do before they met you.

   Once this begins to happen, you begin to add significant value to the discussion, and that’s when the business opportunities manifest themselves.

Brian says that social media does not replace other things we must do to be successful in business. It merely augments them. If you continue to do those things and add social media, over time, you’ll begin to enjoy the kind of influence that can only have a positive impact on the bottom line.

Listen to the Show

You can enjoy more of Brian’s Indie-focused social media success tips at whichever location is most convenient for you:

• You can download it on iTunes. (It usually takes a few hours for Podpress to feed the show to iTunes so if you don’t see it there when you read this post, please try again later.
• You can stream or download it at my radio show website.
• You can stay where you are and simply click on the arrow at the bottom of this post to listen right now!

Coming Up June 14!

Tomorrow at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio, Pam Slim author of Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur (affiliate link), will share the secrets to leaving your cubicle and taking the throne as the king or queen of your own Indie Business!

See you then!

Question: What do you think of Brian’s tips for Indies? How can you incorporate them into your marketing outreach?

On Monday, I interviewed author Charlon Bobo on Indie Business Radio. Charlon, and member of IBN (she actually helped me start the organization back in 2000!), is the author of Write Your E-Book Using a Trusted System While Maintaining Your Busy Life, a step-by-step outline of what must happen from start to finish in order for you to write, publish and profit from your own e-book.

During the show, Charlon shared a boatload of tips to help you move toward becoming a published e-book author. In addition to increasing your sphere of influence online and offline, authoring a book helps you create additional streams of income so that you can expand a current business or help pave the way for a new one.

Charlon says you should follow six steps to make your e-book a reality.

1. Articulate succinct goals and your motivation. Know what you want to achieve and why you are motivated in that direction.
2. Complete a target market analysis. Know the audience for your book. You cannot write to please a particular market unless you first identify that market.
3. Assess your skill set. Be fully aware of what skills you do and do not bring to the table. If you are not good at something having to do with e-book publishing, don’t try to do it yourself. Hire someone so you can focus on the things you do well.
4. Assess your support system. Rally your biggest cheerleaders to help you achieve your goal of writing and publishing your book. Make sure they know what you are trying to do and what your needs are so they can support your efforts.
5. Get your head in the game. Make sure your head is ready for the challenge. Writing and publishing a book requires a significant investment of resources. You will probably sacrifice family time, you time, and other important times so you can finish your book.

   Put your head in the game before you get started. Get mentally up for the challenge in advance so you can invest fully in your writing when the time comes.

6. Create a schedule and a plan to get the job done. Once you’re ready to begin, create a writing schedule and stick to it. Select days and times where your writing is at its peak and set them aside for your book. After you make your plan, execute it.

Listen to the Show

In her book, Charlon expands on this list, and holds your hand during the entire publishing process. Listen to the show as a great introduction, then follow through. As always, you can enjoy my show wherever it’s convenient for you:

• You can download it on iTunes.
• You can stream or download it at my radio show website.
• You can stay where you are and simply click on the arrow at the bottom of this post to listen right now!

Coming Up Next Week!

Coming up on April 19 at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio, my guest will be Hollis Thomases author of Twitter Marketing: An Hour a Day, shares secrets of Twitter efficiency and effectiveness.

See you then!

Question: If you’re an author, what tips can you add to the ones Charlon has shared? What questions do you have about the e-book writing and publishing process? When can we expect to see your e-book?

This week’s Indie Business Radio Show features my interview with Laura McClain, marathon runner, editor of Run Momma Run News Blog and creator of the Runner Momma Medal Rack. Laura regularly runs very long distances, sometimes up to 40 miles at a time, and she shared some great tips and experiences on the show. This post summarizes my interview with Laura, and you can enjoy the entire interview by clicking on the arrow at the bottom of this post.

As you know, since March 1, I’ve been focusing diligently on increasing my fitness level, eating more healthfully and running up to 3 miles most days (today, I ran a total of 3.31 miles!) This Indie Business TV segment features a bit about my recent running and fitness experiences, along with an overview of how I use RunKeeper to track my running progress.

Here’s an overview of some of the tips Laura shared on the show.

1. Getting started. Laura recommends checking with your health care professional before beginning any fitness routine. If you’re especially interested in running, check out “100 Beginner Running Tips.”

   Laura stressed the importance of listening to your body. If you are new runner, your body is taking on new forms of movement, and muscles and bones are being jarred in different ways. Pay attention to little aches, pains and strains so that you can learn when your body is signalling you in one way or another.

   Laura recommends that beginner runners obtain a gait analysis from a local running specialty store. A gait analysis is a video recording of the placement of your foot as you run. This is used to make recommendations for the best running shoes for you. During the show, Laura talked about three different types of running shoes you will want to consider.

2. Running improves all areas of life. As a mom, Laura says that running (and being fit generally) shows her kids that healthy choices are a “normal” part of life. Running increases Laura’s energy level, and she sleeps better on the days she runs. “The sense of accomplishment is amazing too,” she says. “A great run helps me deal with challenging clients. When I’m nervous about a client meeting, I get pumped up by reminding myself that I just ran a marathon!”

   Laura also says that running signals people that she’s a conscientious person who takes time to be strong both physically and mentally. This helps increase the level of respect she enjoys as a professional. Laura says she’s even gotten a few new website design clients as a result of being a runner!

3. Finding support. Laura recommends connecting with people in your local area for support and to learn more about running, especially if you are a newbie (like me). She says that running specialty stores are great places to pick up brochures and find 5K runs and marathons in your area. If you want to train for a marathon, you can find lots of helpful materials at local running stores.

   For perspective and inspiration, she recommends No Finish Line. The author, Marla Runyan, is the first legally blind athlete to compete in the Olympic games.

   Laura recommends keeping track of your running progress. You may wish to use RunKeeper, as I do. (See the video above.)

Listen to the Show

One of the other things we talked about on the show is barefoot running, in particular the Vibram FiveFingers running “shoes.” (I can’t wait to try them!) You can get all of Laura’s great tips by listening to my interview with her wherever it’s convenient for you:

• You can download it on iTunes.
• You can stream or download it at my radio show website.
• You can stay where you are and simply click on the arrow at the bottom of this post to listen right now!

Coming Up Next Week!

Coming up on April 12 at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio, my guest will be Charlon Bobo, author of “Write Your E-Book Using a Trusted and Proven System While Maintaining Your Busy Life.”

See you then!

Question: If you’re a runner, how has running improved your life?

I recently interviewed Melinda Emerson, author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business that Works. Like me, over ten years ago, Melinda left a well paying job to pursue her dreams of small business ownership. This Indie Business TV segment features the book, and under the video, you will find a short written summary of my interview with Melinda. (Warning: the video features burnt vegetables and my daughter, who started playing the drums in another room in the middle of the video. You’ll laugh out loud!)

On the show, Melinda shared some fantastic tips that all small business owners can use to successfully transition from a full-time job to owning and managing their own business.

1. Develop a life plan first. Identify your life goals, then build your business around them. Whether you leave a job of your own free will, or are laid off, planning a life before planning a business makes a lot of sense. If you do it other way around, you may have a successful business, Melinda says, but you may not like your life very much.

   I absolutely agree with Melinda on this critical point. In fact, my business was built on this principle, which I call the Lifestyle CEO approach to business planning. Become a life CEO, then add the title of business CEO to that. Getting clarity about what you want in your life first positions you to choose a business model that supports your life goals. You are more likely to wake up feeling excited about what’s in store for the day, and this will naturally attract more people to you and expand your sphere of influence.

2. Be realistic about your entrepreneurial capabilities. Melinda says, “Know thyself before thou starts a business.” She says that not everyone is cut out to handle the multi-tasking and stress that is required to manage a profitable business.

   One way to assess whether you have what it takes is to ask your friends to tell you what they have observed to be your biggest strengths and weaknesses. This will help you know whether your assessment of your capabilities matches up with a more objective view. The evaluation of others will not answer all of your questions, but their perceptions can enlighten you and help pave the way to better business decisions.

3. Cut back and conserve. Melinda recommends starting your business, if you can, as a “side hustle”, simultaneously as you work your full-time job. Use the transition time to get your financial house in order. Making sure you and your family are on solid financial footing will free you up to make decisions based on what’s best for your business, and not on what’s best for your creditors.

   Melinda suggests paying off all credit cards and lowering down other types of debt as much as possible so you can be free to make and follow through on financial projections.

   Create a household budget and stick with it. (You will need to do the same in your business.) Cut back and conserve wherever you can as you transition out of your job so you can run your business without the added burden of financial worries.

Listen to the Show

You can get an overview of the Melinda’s Emerson Planning System by listening to my interview with her wherever it’s convenient for you:

• You can download it on iTunes.
• You can stream or download it at my radio show website.
• You can stay where you are and simply click on the arrow at the bottom of this post to listen right now!

Coming Up Next Week!

Coming up on April 12 at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio, my guest will be Charlon Bobo, author of “Write Your E-Book Using a Trusted and Proven System While Maintaining Your Busy Life.”

See you then!

Question: What do you think of Melinda’s advice?

On a recent Indie Business Radio, I interviewed Shel Israel, author of Twitterville: How Businesses Can Thrive in the New Global Neighborhoods. At his Twitter profile, Shel describes himself simply as, “Writer, speaker, nice guy.” He’s also a social media journalist, a public speaker and has contributed to Fast Company, Business Week and the Down Jones Company.

Shel is a longstanding and energetic user of Twitter to collaborate and share information. In his book and during our interview, he recounted stories of ordinary businesspeople who use Twitter to get closer to their customers. Here are some of the most valuable tips he shared during the show.

1. Little Tweets, Big Opportunities. Shel reminded us that Twitter “reduces geography” for everyone who uses it. Especially for business owners, Twitter negates the would-be advantage of “big” and allows tiny businesses to engage customers all over the world. Shel said that small businesses have been “drowned out” most every other way, and Twitter helps to level the playing field.

   In light of yesterdays’ announcements about the new indexing agreements between Twitter, FaceBook, Google and Bing, I am excited about the passion with which Shel makes this important point.

2. Skip A Website. If Twitter is as important as Shel says it is, then it is also important for small and independent business owners to have tools that connect with it in useful ways. Shel addresses this point directly by advising startups to skip the website and join a conversation.

   Shel said that websites are “static, expensive, time consuming and you can’t use them to learn and engage.” They are one-directional, says Shel, and that minimizes their usefulness overall as a marketing tool.

3. Employ “Mass Micro-Marketing”. Shel defines “mass micro-marketing” as a kind of marketing where the brand is identified to a person instead of to a logo. He notes that big businesses are (finally) catching up to the notion that up close and personal is better. Of course, small businesses have known this forever.

   In response to those who say that using Twitter is just “frittering away time,” Shel says that time spent getting as close to your customers is never “frittering.” Says Shel (and as a mom, I love this!), “You have to go online because that’s where your customers are. Talk to your kids to see proof.”

   I say “Bravo!” to that! How much more of an incentive do you need if you are setting up your business for long-term success??!

Listen to the Show

Learn more of Shel’s tips wherever it’s convenient for you. You can download the entire show on iTunes (search on Indie Business). You can also stream it or download it at my radio show website, where you can also pick up a copy of Shel’s book. If you like where you are right now, simply click on the link at the bottom of this post to listen right now! It’s a great way to digest useful information while you work.

Companion Newsletter

Click here to enjoy the companion newsletter for this show. The newsletter features the story of how IBN member Marge Clark owns and manages her thriving aromatherapy business. In the story, Marge shares some of her tips and recommendations for being successful in business, and also shares a bit about her products, including numerous exclusive aromatherapy blends.

Coming Up Next Week!

Coming up on October 26 at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio: Marc Warnke, author of ONO, Options Not Obligations: Enrich Your Personal Life by Rethinking Your Financial Life stops by to share how to enrich your personal life by rethinking your financial one.

See you then!

On this week’s Indie Business Radio, I interviewed Mike Michalowicz, author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur. Here’s a short video featuring a few highlights of the interview, and a written summary for those who prefer that.

(If you are reading this post via email or an RSS reader and can’t see this video, please click here.

On the show, Mike shared insightful tips to help you launch and manage your business in ways that maximize your chances of long term success and profitability. Mike says that one of the things that will determine your success is the mindset you have as you approach the execution of your business ideas. Here are a few ways you can keep your mind continuously prepared to excel in your business.

1. Ditch Nay-Sayers. Mike reminded us that there will always be people who tell us that our business ideas will never succeed. He says that the best way to respond to these nay-sayers is to ask them if they’ve ever tried owning a business of their own. If they have, Mike says, listen further to determine whether they can offer you any salient advice. If not, and they have nothing to offer but unreasonable negativity, Mike says to stay as far away from them as possible so they do not impede your progress.
2. Passion Is Overrated. The single fact that you are passionate about something does not mean you should start a business doing it. Passion is great, says Mike, but business success requires that you have more than passion. You may love to do something, but that doesn’t mean you should try to make a living doing it. Mike suggests that passion must be coupled with something you love doing so much that you wake up every day with consistent enthusiasm to do it more and more, and do it in a way that drives you to profitability.
3. Don’t Do It Just For The Money. Mike says that there is really only one reason not to start a business, and that is because all you want to do is make money at it. Of course you have to make money to stay in business, but Mike says that raking in the cash alone will not sustain you or your business for the long term. If you want to be successful at something, the desire to make a profit must be combined with a desire to serve — to help people and give them something they enjoy. When you do those things, Mike says, the money will come.

Listen to the Show

Learn more of Mike tips wherever it’s convenient for you. You can download it on iTunes (search on Indie Business). You can also stream it or download it at my radio show website, where you can also pick up a copy of Mike’s book. If you like where you are right now, simply click on the link at the bottom of this post to listen right now! It’s a great way to digest useful information while you work.

Companion Newsletter

Click here to enjoy the companion newsletter for this show. The newsletter features the story of how Indie Beauty Network member Karen Seremak owns and manages a natural bath and body care products business. In the story, Karen shares some of her tips and recommendations for being successful in business, and also shares a bit about her products.

Coming Up Next Week!

Coming up on October 12 at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio, my guest will be Shel Israel author of Twitterville: How Businesses Can Thrive in the New Global Neighborhoods.

See you then!

Recently on Indie Business Radio Show, I interviewed Thom McKinney, author of Play the Game to Win. Here’s a short video featuring a few highlights and a written summary for those who prefer that.

(If you are reading this post via email or an RSS reader and can’t see this video, please click here.

On the show, Thom shared some of the experiences he had being raised by a strict single mom, being incarcerated for drug dealing as a very young man, being married to his wife for 40 years and raising their daughters, and being a soldier in the United States Army. These things, says Thom, facilitated success in all areas of his life. Here are a few of the pearls of wisdom he shared on the show.

1. Thinking vs. Plowing. Thom reminded us that, “You can’t plow a field by turning it over in your mind.” This is such good advice, especially for small and independent business owners who like to analyze every angle before proceeding. Sometimes, you can think too much. There comes a time for action, and this quote is a good reminder that, at some point, you have to stop thinking about a goal and start working toward it.
2. Discipline Is Key. Thom is a no nonsense go-getter, in large part because of a no nonsense mother, and in larger part because of a no nonsense United States Army! He believes that discipline is a big part of the reason why successful people are successful. As a military man, Thom was constantly reminded that death is the inevitable consequence of being unprepared in battle. While being unprepared in business may not kill you, it may very well kill your business.
3. Someone Is Being Successful. Thom does not accept today’s lousy business economy as an excuse for non-performance. When I asked him for his advice to people who feel like the economy is holding them back, he said, “Well, even in this economy, someone is being successful today. Why shouldn’t it be you?” That is a healthy way of looking at it, and it’s so true. At the end of the day, anyone who is not achieving must honestly look at both internal and external factors.

Listen to the Show

Learn more of Thom’s insights on life and business by listening to my interview with him wherever it’s convenient for you. You can download it on iTunes (search on Indie Business). You can also stream it or download it at my radio show website. If you like where you are right now, simply click on the link at the bottom of this post to listen right now!

Companion Newsletter

Click here to enjoy the companion newsletter for this show. The newsletter features the story of how Indie Beauty Network member Marla Bosworth owns and manages a sea-inspired soapmaking business. Marla has also built a profitable branch of her business teaching other people how to make soap.

Coming Up Next Week!

Coming up on October 5 at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio, my guest will be Mike Michalowicz, author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.

See you then!

My Indie Business Radio Show interview features Erik Qualman, author of Socialnomics: How social media transforms the way we live and do business.Here’s a short video featuring the book and a written summary for those who prefer that.

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On the show, Erik shared some fantastic tips that all small business owners can use to successfully use social media to reach out to customers and other stakeholders.

1. Don’t Try To Boil The Ocean. You may have heard that before, but it’s especially applicable when it comes to social media and small business. When you look around and see all the great tools other people are using, don’t be fooled into thinking you can jump in and put them all to work at once. Incorporate them one at a time, in order of which ones you think will be most useful to you, and go from there.
2. Social Media Makes It Personal. One super point in Erik’s book is that social media can help everyone excel in many ways, and not just in business. For example, social media encourages a kind of “bragadocian behavor” that encourages all of us to be better. Sharing life’s most exhilarating moments, and watching other people do the same, means that we can act as one another’s coaches in a sense. Watching others enjoy positive strokes for doing exciting things gives all of us an extra kick in the pants to maximize our potential as well.
3. Dale Carnegie vs. David Ogilvy. Dale Carnegie, a self-improvement guru, and David Ogilvy, an advertising guru (and creator of the “Dove is 1/4 cleansing cream” mantra), were in essence two sides of the same coin that must be employed by small business owners when using social media. Carnegie emphasized listening while Ogilvy emphasized selling. In fact, a business must do both, but with social media, Erik says it’s more important to listen to the conversation before starting to participate in it. As you contribute, as long as you are adding value, then the conversation will continue and you will be a part of it.

Listen to the Show

You can learn more of Erik’s insights about how social media is changing the way we live and do business by listening to my interview with him wherever it’s convenient for you. You can download it on iTunes. You can also stream it or download it at my radio show website. If you like where you are right now, simply click on the link at the bottom of this post to listen right now!

Companion Newsletter

Click here to enjoy the companion newsletter for this show. Sponsored by Monave Mineral Makeup, the newsletter features the story of how Indie Beauty Network member Joan Morais owns and manages a successful company teaching others how to start profitable companies in the beauty industry.

Coming Up Next Week!

Coming up on October 5 at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio, my guest will be Mike Michalowicz, author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur

See you then!

This week’s Indie Business Radio Show features Lisa Nichols, author of No Matter What!: 9 Steps to Living the Life You Love.Here’s a short video featuring the book and a program note about next week’s show.

(If you are reading this post via email or an RSS reader and can’t see this video, then click here). Details follow for those who cannot view the video at this time.

During the show, among many other juicy, life-changing tidbits, Lisa shared 3 things we should look for when seeking to connect with small business owner colleagues who can encourage and promote our success:

1. Look For Possibility People. Look for people who are inclined to focus on what is possible, and no on all of the hardship and challenges that must be overcome.
2. Look For Coachable People. Surround yourself with people who are able to lead as well as able to follow. I call this having a “teachable spirit.” That is, hook up with people who can teach you things and also allow you to teach them things they don’t know.
3. Look For Unconditional People. Engage with people who are determined to accomplish their business goals, no matter what. Avoid collaborating with people who have conditional success thinking. For example, a person who says, “I’ll succeed if …” may not be ready to handle the “no matter what” attitude that you bring to the table.

Listen to the Show

You can learn more of Lisa’s tips for living the life you love by listening to my interview with her in the place most convenient for you. You can download it on iTunes. You can also stream it or download it at my radio show website.

Finally, if you like where you are right now at my blog, simply click on the link below to listen right now!

Click here to enjoy the companion newsletter for this show. Sponsored by the Indie Beauty Boutique, the newsletter features the story of how Indie Beauty Network member Lorraine Pierce owns and manages her successful mineral makeup company.

Coming Up On August 31 at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio, my guest will be Debbie Chialtas, author of Soapylove: Squeaky-Clean Projects Using Melt-and-Pour Soap. See you then!

This week’s Indie Business Radio Show features Mike Schultz, author of Professional Services Marketing.Here’s a short video featuring the book and a program note about next week’s show.

(If you are reading this post via email or an RSS reader and can’t see this video, then click here). Details follow. During the show, Mike shared what he says are 3 things services providers must do in order to maximize business development success for the long term:

1. Resonate. Your message has to have some punch. It must be memorable. It has to create an impression in the minds of your target customers.
2. Differentiate. Your message can’t be like everyone else’s. You have to differentiate yourself and your services. There are many ways to do this, but unless your approach offers something out of the ordinary, something unique, it will be more difficult for prospective clients to seriously consider what you have to offer.
3. Substantiate. Mike says that if you cannot substantiate the claims you make, nothing else you do will matter. People need to know that the results you claim to be able to provide line up with the promises you make.

Listen to the Show You can learn more about how to build a premier service brand and create a culture of success for your consulting services by listening to my interview with Mike in the place most convenient for you. You can download it on iTunes. You can also stream it or download it at my radio show website. Finally, if you like where you are right now at my blog, simply click on the link below to listen right now! Click here to enjoy the companion newsletter for this show. Sponsored by Essential Wholesale, it features the story of how Indie Beauty Network member Liz Zorn conceives of and customizes artisan perfume for her clients worldwide.

Coming Up On August 24 at 1:00pm EST on Indie Business Radio, my guest will be Lisa Nichols, author of No Matter What!: 9 Steps to Living the Life You Love.See you then!

This week’s Indie Business Radio Show features Tara Hunt, author of The Whuffie Factor: Using the Power of Social Networks to Build Your Business.Here’s a short video featuring the book and a program note about next week’s show.

(If you are reading this post via email or an RSS reader and can’t see this video, then click here). Details follow.

During the show, Tara shared what she says is the best capital a company can have: “whuffie”. When it comes to social media, whuffie is capital that matters, says Tara. It’s born of the deep and trusting relationships between you and your business and its customers and other stakeholders.

Tara says that social media outlets like Twitter and others are “relationship catalysts.” That is, they supply the tools we can use to initiate new relationships with other people. She says there are at least 3 big mistakes to avoid as you use social media to cultivate whuffie:

1. Selfishness. Don’t just show up at a social network and start talking about yourself. It’s not about you. It’s about your customers, clients and the people who want to connect with you. The more you listen and give generously, the better off you are.
2. Impatience. Trust is an important part of giving good whuffie, and trust takes time. Focus on building enduring social networking communities. This cannot be done quick and in a hurry. It’s an investment.
3. Focus On Quantity. Tara says that focusing on the number of people in your whuffie circle (my term) is a mistake. She says the better practice at places like Twitter, for example, is to focus on the quality of your connections, not the number of them. This is the only way to create the “bonding capital” that makes your whuffie strong and enduring.

Listen to the Show

You can learn more about using social media tools to create your own special brand of whuffie by listening to my interview with Tara in the place most convenient for you. You can download it on iTunes. You can also stream it or download it at my radio show website. Finally, if you like where you are right now at my blog, simply click on the link below to listen right now!

Click here to enjoy the companion newsletter for this show. Also sponsored by Essential Wholesale, it features the story of how a husband-wife team got their products into a large natural health store chain in the southeastern United States!

Question: How are you creating your own brand of whuffie as you reach out to people on behalf of your business? What tips can you share based on your experiences?

This week’s Indie Business Radio Show features Dr. Rosalie Lober, CEO of PROFITS Principles. Rosalie is the author of Run Your Business Like A Fortune 100: 7 Principles For Boosting Profits. Here’s a video review of the show.

(If you are reading this post via email or an RSS reader and can’t see this video, then click here). Written details follow for those without access to the video at this time.

During the show, Dr. Lober helped small and independent business owners understand that Fortune 100 and small companies have a lot more in common than you might think. She said that, at the core of success for any company are 7 principles for boosting P-R-O-F-I-T-S:

1. P-osition Only For Growth. Don’t take on new projects that won’t have a positive long term outcome. If something new sounds wonderful, but will not add value to your business and contribute to its growth, let someone else do it.
2. R-eality. Conduct frequent and honest reality checks so you can know whether your business plan is backed up by cold, hard facts.
3. O-btain Vital Information. Do your due diligence and research the market and everything you want to do in it before taking the plunge.
4. F-lexibility. Small and independent companies have an edge here, according to Dr. Lober. Use the fact that you are small to maneuver quickly in and out of situations that lead you to achieving your business goals.
5. I-ntegration. Make sure that everything you do fits logically into your overall plan. Dr. Lober stresses that no particular part of your business should stick out like a sore thumb. Even though there are separate parts, they should all flow as a logical and cohesive whole. (I so needed to hear that!)
6. T-est and Revise. Be sure to test and revise (and then re-revise) your plans and strategies as you move forward. It’s rare that things work out beautifully on the first go-round. Massage and edit the process until it works, and then revise it some more as marketing conditions change and your business expands.
7. S-teer the Company. This may seem obvious, but Dr. Lober says not everyone trains to do it well. Don’t just run your business. Lead your business. The guidance and direction you provide will either carry you into the next decade or leave you stranded with nothing to show for your hard work.

Listen to the Show

You can enjoy my interview with Dr. Lober in the place most convenient for you. You can download it on iTunes. You can also stream it or download it at my radio show website. Finally, if you like where you are right now at my blog, simply click on the link below to listen right now!

Question: Which of Dr. Lober’s principles work best for you as you lead your small business? Are there any others you wish to add?

David Meerman Scott, author of “World Wide Rave,” shares just exactly how simple it can be to use social media (e-books, blogs and more!) to start important conversations about what you have to offer the world.

Be a Genius Machine

In this show, Gerald Sindell, author of “The Genius Machine,” shared some fantastic tips and pointers to help you turn some of those ideas in your head into tangible business assets.

Show Title: Beyond Booked Solid!

Michael Port, author of “Beyond Booked Solid” and other books, offers tips on thinking big and creating a successful business without reinventing the wheel.

Show Title: SEO For the Rest of Us

Heather Lutze, author of “The Findability Formula,” shares tips and action items to help you increase online visibility without having to become an SEO expert! Can I get an Amen to that??!