On Saturday, June 6, the Carolina Mixed Media Art Guild sponsored the first Indie Business Breakfast in Raleigh. The assembled CMMAG members and guests were treated to a delicious breakfast catered by 9 Lyvz, at the John P. "Top" Green Neighborhood Center, and had time to meet and greet each other before the program began. Several CMMAG members displayed recent work, including jewelry, paintings, collages, sculpture, prints, masks, textiles, shadow boxes and mosaics.
Lisa led us through the various forms of social media, highlighting those of particular importance to creative entrepreneurs. She let us in on the secrets of blogging, tweeting, and becoming linked in, and told us stories from her own experience in marketing her work. Copious notes were taken, many hands were raised, and there were lots of questions, especially from people who wanted to know how to start from scratch. Lisa's advice: begin with a Flickr account, get your creations "out there," then create a blog.
We all came away with new ideas, new terms, a free Calligraphy Pets print courtesy of Lisa, and a clearer understanding of what's possible in the new world of social media.
The Indie Business Breakfast was hosted by Donna Maria Coles Johnson, who is the founder and president of the Indie Beauty Network and Indie Business Media. Known as the Chief Executive Indie and the Original Lifestyle CEO, Donna Maria is passionate about empowering people to maximize their potential through small business ownership. From the first moments of her presentation, Donna's passion about the subject of "How to Use Social Media to Leverage Your Brand and Attract More Paying 
Customers For Your Business" was evident: she swept everyone up in her enthusiasm for social networking media, and helped us to understand the sometimes confusing world of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, and blogging. As the attendees introduced themselves, it became evident there was a great deal of talent, creativity, drive and curiosity in the room, and we were all anxious to hear the guest speaker: our own Lisa Stewart, the Creative Goddess of ECStewartDesigns.
Customers For Your Business" was evident: she swept everyone up in her enthusiasm for social networking media, and helped us to understand the sometimes confusing world of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, and blogging. As the attendees introduced themselves, it became evident there was a great deal of talent, creativity, drive and curiosity in the room, and we were all anxious to hear the guest speaker: our own Lisa Stewart, the Creative Goddess of ECStewartDesigns. 
Lisa led us through the various forms of social media, highlighting those of particular importance to creative entrepreneurs. She let us in on the secrets of blogging, tweeting, and becoming linked in, and told us stories from her own experience in marketing her work. Copious notes were taken, many hands were raised, and there were lots of questions, especially from people who wanted to know how to start from scratch. Lisa's advice: begin with a Flickr account, get your creations "out there," then create a blog. 
We all came away with new ideas, new terms, a free Calligraphy Pets print courtesy of Lisa, and a clearer understanding of what's possible in the new world of social media. Thanks to Donna Maria and Lisa; it was a great event!
And, thanks to Lucy Shupe for these fantastic photos.
