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 17, 2010
Last Saturday, I celebrated my 10th year as the leader of the Indie Beauty Network, a trade organization serving small manufacturers of soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, candles, confectionery items and other health, beauty and lifestyle products. I am thoroughly enjoying serving my members, and I look forward to the next decade and beyond.
Unfortunately, too many small businesses don’t last the first few years, not to mention ten. While the lack of longevity can be explained by many things, at the center of it is a lack of effective core leadership. The good news is that leadership skills can be improved by a few simple mindset adjustments. Here is my list of three things to kick start or reignite this process. 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 January 8, 2010
I enjoy working in a family business. After spending so many years fighting rush hour traffic and toiling away in the corporate jungles of Washington, DC, I am thankful for my lifestyle. I don’t have to jump through administrative hoops to take my children to the pediatrician’s office. I have more control over how my intellect and leadership skills are used to serve others. When I’m super busy, my husband picks up the slack, and I do the same for him when his cup runneth over.
Perhaps the best benefit of all is the peace of mind that comes from being able to center my work around my home, instead of the other way around. I am not as splintered as I would most likely be if I had a traditional job. Even so, integrating business and family can be a real challenge. It is not all sunshine and roses. Continue Reading…
