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Shame On You If You Pull the Ladder Up After You

Earlier this month, while I was on Capitol Hill and at the FDA advocating Indie Beauty Network member positions against the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, I was accompanied by 4 amazing women. Each has at least one successful and profitable business, yet, she took time away from her rice bowl to join me in a fight that will positively impact business owners around the country for years to come.

Kayla Fioravanti, Anne-Marie Faiola, Lela Barker and Jamila White are screaming examples of women who are not so wrapped up in their own success stories that they abandon a moral obligation to pave the way for others to enjoy the same opportunities they have.

In one of our meetings, Lela told a Congressional staffer that her business could pay the $12,000 in fees that are contemplated by the draft law. As she put it, "I won't like it, but I can and will write the check if I have to."

Then she said this: "Even though I can pay the fees and keep up with the paperwork, my concern is that there are many others who cannot. I'm here because I do not want to enjoy the fruits of entrepreneurship and then pull the ladder up after me."

Don't Pull The Ladder Up After You

This summarizes all of our efforts. Those of us who traveled to Capitol Hill have been blessed with profitable businesses. We have been blessed with good health and with friends, family members, industry colleagues clients and customers who have supported us along the way.

But we started our businesses in an environment that has a level playing field. And now, just as the Indie Beauty industry begins to take flight, new laws threaten to replace the level playing field with an ocean of paperwork and a mountain of fees that would make it impossible for anyone to follow in our footsteps.

We are not about to let that happen without a battle.

It's Not About Us

You may have watched A Civil Forum on Saturday evening on CNN, featuring Barack Obama and John McCain being "civilly" grilled separately for an hour a piece in a non-debate format by Rick Warren, author of the best selling book The Purpose Driven Life.

Warren's book begins with the words, "It's not about you."

Kayla, Anne-Marie, Lela and Jamila's example reminds all of us that it's not about us. Nothing ever is. While our businesses may be "secure," for the short term, we cannot rest on our laurels with the attitude that, security for our lifetime, 50 years give or take, is good enough. It's not.

Fifty years is a drop in the bucket. After that, what about our children? What about their children? Their spouses? What Indie options they have? Will they be stuck buying from big box cookie-cutter stores? Or will they be able to start their own Indie Businesses, and also patronize their fellow Indie Business owners? Those future opportunities, if they are to be had, must be secured now.

We cannot let the chips fall where they may, get on with our businesses and leave the consequences to be sorted out by future generations.

American's Economic Future Depends On Preserving The Ladders We Now Climb

Our country is at a critical time in its history. We are in debt to foreign countries like China and numerous Middle Eastern nations. America's biggest and most successful companies are being purchased by overseas companies, a recent example being the purchase last month of Anheuser-Busch by Belgian Company InBev (pdf).

American companies are laying off workers at a rapid clip. These workers are finding new jobs at foreign owned companies that have US operations. A case in point: Haier Group, a multinational manufacturer of consumer appliances that was founded in China in 1984. One of Haier's main manufacturing arms is staffed by workers in a Camden, South Carolina plant who once worked for US-owned textile manufacturing companies.

Even American companies that can keep people on the payroll are offering increasingly fewer benefits. Pay increases, when they do come, are not keeping pace with inflation, the increasing cost of food and gas and the ridiculously staggering cost of an undergraduate college education.

Some say America is losing its edge. That may be. But if we don't ensure that mothers, fathers, sons and daughters are able to own and manage Indie Businesses in years to come, America will lose much more than an edge. It will lose the very foundation of its Constitution: the unalienable right that each family members has to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The Indie Business Revolution

I believe this nation is in the midst of what I call the Indie Business Revolution. People are rising up in the face of numerous governmental and big business failures to take care of themselves and each other. We are reaching across state boundaries and traditional distinctions of all kinds to uplift and motivate one another to new heights as individuals, families and business leaders.

A Rising Tide Lifts All Ships

I am honored and humbled to be working with women like Kayla, Anne-Marie, Lela and Jamila who are determined to do everything within their power to ensure the continuance of a level playing field in our industry, and across all industries, for generations to come. These women understand that their success must also pave the way for others to be successful.

They feel a sense of urgency. They know they must act now. Before it's too late.

This is not about them. It's about fashioning an economic landscape where everyone has a chance to enjoy the benefits of business ownership, and is able to use their business to provide for their needs and also for the needs of those who will one day stand on their shoulders.

It's about building a ladder and then leaving it in place so that others may climb it behind them.

What about you?

Have you signed our Petition to fight the FDA Globalization Act of 2008? Over 2,600 people have. Why not you? Have you written a letter to your Congressional representative? To a media representative in your area? Leave a comment below with your thoughts on how you are making a difference so future generations can be economically independent.

And don't forget to leave a link so we can visit your site to find out more.

For more inspiring stories and updates like this one, subscribe to Indie Business Blog today.

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With More Americans Becoming Entrepreneurs, Indiecations Are the New Vacations

A lot is being discussed these days about "staycations". These alternatives to vacations are taking place more and more as families find that the rising cost of gas and other consumer goods is making it more difficult to vacation away from home. They are meeting this challenge by taking time off, but staying at home to "staycation."

Last week, I was on "indiecation," a term I coined to describe the kind of vacation Indie Business owners like me take. Indiecations are enjoyed by solo and family owned businesses who take traditional vacations away from home, but who still have to manage their businesses day to day, even while away. Indiecations are characterized by a mixture of traditional vacation time and work time, often done at the same time. Here are some tips you can use to enjoy your Indiecation.

1. Take Your Indie Business Mindset

Since indiecation is a mixture of vacation and Indie Business management, you have to take your Indie Business mindset with you. This is especially important if you are traveling with your family.

Indie Business ownership is different from traditional work where you are employed by someone else. As an Indie, you are always "on" as a family member and as a business owner -- always. Even when on vacation.

An Indie Business mindset is one that acknowledges in advance that, while there will be times when 100% of your attention will be devoted to family, there will also be times when you will split your attention between family and work. In both cases, always be ready to transition fully or partially from one to the other.

Relax into your various roles. See yourself as one person with two important and overlapping commitments: work and family. Each is important. Each is interdependent on the other.

2. Let Others Know Your Plan

The biggest mistake you can make is to plan for indiecation while the rest of the family is planning for vacation.

If you plan to work during your vacation, let your traveling partners know that you will be working. Try to schedule time when you are 100% devoted to them. For example, on our indiecation last week, my 100% family times were meal times and after 10:00pm when the kids when to bed.

While we ate, we enjoyed uninterrupted conversation. No ringing, vibrating or buzzing. After the kids were asleep, my husband and I could enjoy doing whatever we wanted to do. Interestingly, since both my husband and I have businesses, we found ourselves working together after the kids went to bed. There we were, side by side at the dining table, enjoying what we love -- the work we do, that supports our family.

It's an interesting juggle, made easier by the fact that we are both self-employed. Whether you and your significant other are both self-employed, or whether just one of you is, plan in advance whether and when you will be combining business and pleasure. This will avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

Ask me how I know.

3. Digitize

Make it easy to be effective and efficient while on indiecation. Take your laptop. Stay at a location that is Wi-Fi enabled. Take your Blackberry or iPhone, and remember the chargers.

The more access you have to digital technologies and accessories, the easier it will be for you to complete work-related tasks quickly and correctly so you don't waste a moment of time.What do you think?

Since everyone should have a stream of income that they control, even if they also have a traditional job (or two), I think we are becoming an indiecation nation. When you go away on vacation, do you find that, like me, you are actually on indiecation? What insights can you share from your experiences? If you have additional tips to offer, please leave them in the comment section below.

What do you think?

Since everyone should have a stream of income that they control, even if they also have a traditional job (or two), I think we are becoming an indiecation nation. When you go away on vacation, do you find that, like me, you are actually on indiecation? What insights can you share from your experiences? If you have additional tips to offer, please leave them in the comment section below.

For more inspiring Indie Business tips and stories, subscribe to Indie Business Blog today.

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We are having a blast on Hilton Head. Thought I'd share a photo from our glorious Indiecation.

Want to know what an Indiecation is? Subscribe to Indie Business Blog today so you don't miss finding out in my next post!

photos copyright 2008 Clarence Coggins

Use these Samples to Prepare Your Own Letters!

My last post offers tips and strategies to help you impact the political process in your favor. Now that you have an overview of the process, here are some sample email letters you can use to reach out to the media and your representatives in Congress.

Remember that these letters are meant to be samples and they have already been used effectively by IBN member Lisa Rodgers of Cactus & Ivy to set up a conference call meeting with a South Carolina Senator's staffer, and also by IBN member Starlene Moore of Supplies by Star so set up a conference call meeting with a Texas Congress woman. It's always a good idea to include a sentence or two that personalizes them so that they don't appear cookie-cutter to the person receiving them. While these samples are designed to address issues associated with the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, they can be used for most any political outreach you may be involved in at the federal, state or local level.

Sample Initial Email to Congressional Representative

This letter can often be easily and quickly sent through email forms that most political representatives have at their websites. Choose representatives whose websites indicate a small business-friendly commitment.

Dear Representative [or Senator] Name:

I own a small cosmetics business in [state] and I am writing to you because I am familiar with your commitment to small businesses in our state. The draft discussion of the FDA Globalization Act of 2008 is now being marked up in the House Energy & Commerce Committee and I am strongly opposed to it.

The stated purposes of the draft law are to provide FDA with funding and to protect consumers. But cosmetics have a stellar safety record and there is no need to pass laws that would hurt small businesses while offering no safety benefits consumers.

If passed, the new law would impose fees on my business of from $2,000 to $12,000 per year and require me to comply with burdensome paperwork and manufacturing requirements that no small business can afford.

I write to ask you to vote against the FDA Globalization Act of 2008 when the time comes. At a time when small and family businesses like mine are dealing with increased shipping and materials costs, as well as increases in consumer prices, it is unfair and unnecessary to enact new laws that would put small businesses out of business. Please refer to a Petition that a trade group I belong to [am familiar with] has prepared to help spread the word. At the link, you can watch a short video, read the Petition and then read the comments of literally thousands of people across the nation, many in our state, who oppose this new law.

I would like to request a short telephone conference call meeting with a staffer in your office who handles important issues affecting small businesses. Please call or email to let me know who to contact about this urgent issue.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[signed]

Sample Initial Email to Media Representative

Dear Mr./Mrs. Media Person:

I have been a longtime fan of your [show/column/segment] in [name media outlet]. Thank you for using your platform to inform the community about issues affecting families and small businesses.

I own a small cosmetics business in town and I am writing to you because I think your audience [readers/listeners] should know about the draft of the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, which is now being marked up in the House Energy & Commerce Committee. This new law, if passed, would put me and hundreds of other small cosmetics businesses in this state out of business.

The stated purposes of the draft law are to provide FDA with funding and to protect consumers. But cosmetics have a stellar safety record and there is no need to pass laws that would hurt small businesses while offering no safety benefits consumers.

If passed, the new law would impose fees on my business of from $2,000 to $12,000 per year. What small business can afford that??! It would also require me to comply with burdensome paperwork and manufacturing requirements that no small business can afford.

At a time when consumers and small and family businesses in our state are dealing with skyrocketing gas prices and the ever-increasing cost of everything from eggs and bread to back to school supplies, it is unfair and unnecessary to enact new laws that would put small businesses out of business.

I would like to provide you with more information about how this new law, if enacted, would hurt so many small businesses like mine in our community. Please refer to a Petition that a trade group I belong to [am familiar with] has prepared to help spread the word. At the link, you can watch a short video, read the Petition and then read the comments of literally thousands of people across the nation, many in our state, who oppose this new law.

I will contact you to follow up in a few days. In the meantime, if you feel that this information would be of interest to your viewers, please do not hesitate to contact me at phone/email.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[signed]

What about you?

Have you reached out to the media or your Congressional representatives about the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, or anything else for that matter? Do you have some tips and experiences to share? Please post them in the comment section below so others can follow your example. It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.