by Donna Maria on February 9, 2010
For those of you who don’t know, in addition to teaching and speaking about small business leadership and success, I also lead IBN, a trade organization for manufacturers of health, beauty and lifestyle products. Recently, the business building conversations at IBN’s private networking area have increased considerably. If you haven’t visited for a while, today is a good day to stop by and learn something new.
(And if you’re not a member, today is a great day to consider joining IBN!) As you may know, our public networking site is open to everyone, including non-members. The private area is where IBN members speak more candidly and personally about the steps we are taking to grow our businesses. Here are some of the latest topics of discussion. Continue Reading…
by Donna Maria on January 14, 2010
In just a few days, I will celebrate 10 years of leading the Indie Beauty Network and serving the most innovative, creative and tenacious small and independent business owners in the world. I’m celebrating a few days early because today, for the first time, an IBN member has renewed her membership for the tenth year in a row.
(If you are reading this post in an email or via RSS feed and cannot see the video about Maggie’s business, please click here.)
That’s right!! Maggie Hanus of A Wild Soap Bar outside Austin, Tx, is the first member to renew for ten straight years. Maggie first joined IBN in early 2000 when her business was called, “Of The Earth Soapworks.” It later became “A Wild Texas Soap Bar,” and today, it’s “A Wild Soap Bar.”
Like me, Maggie is familiar with name and logo changes through the years! You can find out a bit about how this video featuring Maggie and here business was shot in this post. And don’t forget to visit Maggie’s website, blog and Twitter page to meet her and learn more about her fantastic products. You can also connect with Maggie at IBN’s social networking site.
Question: Are you as inspired by Maggie’s family business as I am?
by Donna Maria on January 13, 2010
One of the first things I did when I launched IBN in 2000 was create a branded logo so members could easily share their IBN affiliation with customers, stockists and other stakeholders. As the leader of a nationwide trade organization, I have always felt that it is important to provide business member leaders with an easy way to identify their association with IBN, which is dedicated to service, professionalism and consistency.
It’s hard to believe, but in a few days, we will celebrate IBN’s 10th year serving the small and independent beauty community. Our members proudly make soaps, cosmetics, candles, aromatherapy products, fragrances, jewelry, confectionery items and all kinds of health, beauty and lifestyle products. Pictured above is IBN’s new 2010 member logo. (Members: scroll to the bottom of this post for instructions on downloading the logo!) For those who don’t know, IBN launched on January 16, 2000 as the “Handmade Toiletries Network.” This post shares a bit about how it evolved from there. Read A Little Indie History
by Donna Maria on December 11, 2009
I hosted IBN’s first Site Party on Cyber Monday and had a great time doing it! The best news is that our featured Indie, Charlene Sevier of The Bead Dreamer sold 11 pieces of her beautiful handmade jewelry in under 60 minutes! As you know from the post announcing the party, Charlene makes combines a passion for beads and jewels with en eye for color and style to create jewelry that makes real fashion statements. I purchased this beautiful African trade bead bracelet. See the beautiful rust colored chain link? Charlene fashioned them by hand from brass wire, darkened them, and connected them one by one.
Just look at the detail! Now that I’ve seen first hand how much fun these parties are, and the huge potential they have to help my members increase sales, I am planning to host even more of them! Here are some of the things that make a Site Party great. Continue Reading…
by Donna Maria on November 27, 2009
I am pleased to announce IBN’s first online Indie Site Party on Monday, November 30 — Cyber Monday — at Noon New York time!! Our first party will be hosted at our social networking site and will feature IBN member Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer, of Newport News, Virginia. Indie Site Parties are just like home parties, only online. They are designed to make it fun and easy for you to meet and learn from an Indie Business artist or crafter “up close and personal.” As you can see from the graphic below, you’ll be able to call in from the comfort of your home or office and enjoy the party via conference call.
You’ll also be able to log onto a website (instructions shown in the graphic) where you’ll enjoy Charlene’s one-on-one attention as she presents her jewelry to you and shares exciting information about her business. You’ll also enjoy a 25% discount on all items purchased during the hour-long party! Our parties make shopping fun, informative and entertaining! Meet with the designer one-on-one and get your questions answered about her work before you buy! Continue Reading…
by Donna Maria on November 11, 2009
When I launched IBN in 2000, there was a small but growing number of people making soaps, cosmetics and other consumer products in very small quantities. With the explosion of the Internet and the availability to everyone of multiple e-commerce opportunities, micro-manufacturing in many markets has grown tremendously. Up until 2005, Illinois-based RLI Corp. provided products liability insurance coverage for IBN members at very reasonable rates. In late 2005, however, they sent form letters to my members telling them that their insurance policies would not be renewed if they grossed more than $5,000 a year in sales.
Despite my written and verbal appeals, they would not budge, stating a desire to insure “hobby business owners” (whatever they are), and stating that micro-industries had grown to sizes they were not set up to accommodate. Thus began a search for a company that would cover IBN members. Finally, in 2006, Stratus Insurance Services, Inc., came along and brokered a program that offers products liability insurance to my members who make handmade soaps, cosmetics, candles, fragrances and aromatherapy products. Rates are the best available on the market today: $395 per year for $1 million in coverage or $450 per year for $2 million dollars in coverage.
Today, I am pleased to announce the expansion of the program to cover handmade candies, cookies, cakes and other confectionery items!! Continue Reading…
