One of the best things about Facebook groups is that they help you sharpen your leadership skills. Facebook groups require you to be front and center, stepping up to the plate as the leader of your tribe every single day. As your overall leadership skills improve, so does your ability to confidently assert yourself and…

I participate in two mastermind groups. One is virtual and one is physical, in the town where I live. The virtual mastermind meets bi-monthly using a virtual meeting tool. We also get together physical a few times a year. The physical mastermind meets monthly, rotating at each other's homes. Based on my experiences, I thought…

No matter what you sell, you will sell more of it if you work diligently and consistently to build a solid and engaged community around your brand. I recognized the power of community from an entrepreneurial perspective long before I launched the Indie Business Network. In fact, the very first thing I did on the…

You may be awesome, but these days, awesome is ordinary. To illustrate this point, let’s take a quick look at the current state of the career of actress-comedienne, Mo’Nique.

In 2010, Mo’Nique won an Oscar for her performance in Precious. After the movie, the producers wanted her to travel to participate, for free, in a promotional tour that included travel to the Cannes Film Festival. She refused. That didn’t go over well in Hollywood, especially amid reports that she is difficult to work with…

I did not leave my “real” job to start the Indie Business Network because I was miserable and unhappy. I left because I did not want to become miserable and unhappy. Sadly, I saw the handwriting on the wall. I wanted to work, but a traditional work environment was too rigid for me. I looked…

With great enthusiasm, I welcome you to Donna Maria, my personal digital digs and the new home of the Lifestyle CEO™ Show on video and as a podcast. I want you to consider this website as a sort of salon, where you can join me every day for a bit of relaxed conversation about one…