Donna Maria

Design your perfect lifestyle business!

I Am A Full Focus Planner Certified Pro

I am thrilled to share that I recently became a Full Focus Planner Certified Pro. Please join me in celebrating this very fulfilling and exciting achievement.About the Full Focus PlannerDeveloped by entrepreneur and productivity expert Michael Hyatt, the Full Focus Planner is a planning tool that helps you prioritize what is most important, and actually get it done.The Full Focus Planner embraces all aspects of life, making it fun and easy to organize and tackle everything that matters in your ... Read the Post

I Am A Certified Score Entrepreneur Mentor

EntrepreneurshipI am pleased to share the exciting news that I am now a Certified SCORE Entrepreneur Mentor. Please join me in celebrating this thrilling milestone in my life.Those of you who have known and traveled with me throughout my entrepreneurial journey know that I believe deep within my soul that entrepreneurship is for everyone.While entrepreneurship will look different from person to person, I am thoroughly persuaded that every person's life is enhanced when they have an income stream ... Read the Post

Are You A Lifestyle CEO?

EntrepreneurshipThere are many reasons why I opted out of the traditional workforce to launch Indie Business Network, but the two little smiles you see here outshine them all. These are my children. I am thankful for them for so many reasons, not the least of which is inspiring and propelling me to create and define my future based on the unique and compelling vision that entrepreneurship is for everyone.Meet my whys ...The picture you see below was taken on the first day of school in 2009. He ... Read the Post

Charlotte Business: The Five Phases of Entrepreneurship

EntrepreneurshipI'm excited to share that I have accepted an invitation to appear on a virtual online chat entitled: The Five Phases of Entrepreneurship. Hosted by local digital publication QCity Metro, the complimentary event on April 15 at 6pm ET consists of an informative online entrepreneurial chat and Q+A with me and QCity Metro editor and publisher, Glenn Burkins.What is QCity Metro?QCity Metro is a news, business and culture platform that serves the black community in my adopted hometown ... Read the Post

How Clubhouse Can Help You Grow Your Membership Business

Last year, my colleague and Indie Business member Pamela Jenkins of Koils by Nature introduced me to Clubhouse. Clubhouse is a relatively new social media site where you can set up an account that allows you to host and moderate live conversations in a talk show format. If you are on Clubhouse, you can connect with me there at @donnamaria.Here are some of the best ways you can use Clubhouse platform to support and grow your community, membership and subscription business.Build communityIt’s a ... Read the Post

Subscription Innovators: Celebrating Black Leaders in the Subscription Industry

Membership + Subscription Business ModelsI'm excited to share that I have accepted an invitation to appear on a virtual panel discussion entitled: Subscription Innovators: Celebrating Black Leaders in this Growing Industry. Hosted by the Subscription Trade Association, this complimentary event on February 25 at 2pm ET will showcase the innovative talent and ingenuity of various subscription business models, in particular, those founded by people of color.What is the Subscription Trade ... Read the Post

La Shonda Tyree Interviews Me About Lead + Pivot

Lead + PivotRecently, my friend and colleague La Shonda Tyree interviewed me for her brand new Level Up and Create podcast. We discussed my mindset as the founder and CEO of the Indie Business Network, the importance of building community around your brand, and my advice to people looking to build a business.Who is La Shonda Tyree?La Shonda is my friend, Indie Business Network member, and little sister. We met nearly two decades ago at a conference for soapmakers and discovered that we had so ... Read the Post

Happy Independence Day?

Conflict + Uncertainty + Fear + HopeI woke up this morning, feeling uneasy. That is nothing new. For most of my life, I have awakened on the morning of the 4th of July feeling unsure about exactly what I am expected to celebrate on this date. Of course I know about the Declaration of Independence and freedom from tyranny and all of the things I was taught in school. And of course, it has always been fun to "take off" work and school on the 4th of July. Through the years, it's been pretty easy to ... Read the Post

Andrea Evans, Esq., Interviews Me on Leadership

Purpose + Community + LeadershipEarlier this month, my friend and colleague Andrea Hence Evans, Esq., interviewed me for her series focused on empowering you during this challenge pandemic season. We discussed my mindset as the founder and CEO of the Indie Business Network, the importance of building community around your brand, and my advice to the next generation of entrepreneurs. Watch the interview below.Time stampsYou can use these helpful time stamps to enhance your viewing ... Read the Post

Want to Create a Legacy Business Model?

Create a business that will last decadesCoaches, consultants, trainers, and service providers who are familiar with my two decades of entrepreneurial success are asking me for private strategy sessions to help them think through and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic and what it means for their businesses. I am not in a position to host one-on-one consultations at this time, but I can host group coaching, so that’s what I am offering now, with my new (and one-time) 90-Day Sprint Mastermind ... Read the Post

Introducing the Lifestyle CEO™ Club

Purpose. Profit. Play.My legacy, expanded ....I am excited to introduce the Lifestyle CEO Club, an elite women's entrepreneurial networking group celebrating purpose, profit, and play. If you've already heard about it and wish to request an invitation, click here. Otherwise, continue reading to learn about The Lifestyle CEO Club, an entrepreneurial community unlike any other. It is the next iteration of my life purpose, currently fulfilled through the Indie Business Network, to empower women to ... Read the Post

How to Build a New Habit

Think small and track your progressI admit it. Whenever I have wanted to create something new in my life, I am generally met with good results. I think it's because I'm a hard worker and a naturally good problem solver. I tend to quickly cut through "stuff," get to the core of an issue, and promptly take action. It's a great approach, and it works. Except when it doesn't work.And, for me, it has generally not worked in the area of health and wellness.As a mom, having a business of my own and ... Read the Post