I believe in Indie Biz…

…it has the creative power to bring joy and vitality into a world full of bland organisations and chain stores. Let’s come together as a community of individuals to share ideas, experience and passion to shape the culture we live in. One person’s success is not another person’s failure; shift comparison and feel inspired. Forget the numbers and follow your purpose.

Welcome to Indie Roller!

Indie Roller Guiding Principles

What does it mean to be an Indie Roller? I've created a set of guiding principles, are you ready to take the pledge?

  • Trust & follow your instincts.
  • Dream big, start small; believe in baby steps.
  • Do the work to ignite your passion.
  • Be curious and try stuff.
  • Ask for help and help others.
  • Making mistakes is part of the process.
  • Shift perfectionism & push the button.
  • Reject hustle culture; work at your own pace.
  • Do your thing & let go of comparison.
  • Keep going. Perseverance is everything.

If these words give you the feels please come and join us in the Indie Roller Facebook community.

Your people are waiting for you!

I'm in

The Make It Happen Movement

The Make It Happen membership group exists to boost confidence and spark action.

The movement is led by me, Leona Thrift-ola, and I’m here to walk by your side with a community of over 200 creative Indie Biz owners.

We are jewellery makers, graphic designers, childrenswear labels, illustrators, publishers, designer-makers, homewares brands, photographers, subscription box owners and much more – a collective of unique individuals around the world figuring it all out one step at a time.

The vision is to empower and inspire you to play by your own rules. To work according to your own unique set of values and learn how to communicate them to your audience. To let go of the ‘right’ way to do something and embrace finding your own way with the willingness to do the work and learn by making your own mistakes.

Support, know-how, inspiring stories, a helping hand to get unstuck and a gentle kick up the bum when you need it.

The self-paced group delivers weekly content via email, live Q&As, challenges, online workshops and a supportive Facebook community. You will have access to the HUB which is full of an incredible array of indie biz resources to equip you for the challenges you may face and guide you to grow both personally and professionally.

Are you ready to invest in yourself and make it happen?

Find Out More

Meet our founder: Leona Thrift-ola

Indie Roller and Make It Happen are guided by me, Indie Biz champion, Leona Thrift-ola. Here's what I've been up to over the past 16 years...

  • 2003

    Started making jewellery to sell at Portobello Market & launched my first Indie Biz Lady Luck Rules OK.

  • 2004

    Launched my first e-commerce website and manufactured an enamel pin & jewellery collection. Held a talk about my work for the first time at the Fashion & Textile Museum.

  • 2005

    Opened bricks and mortar Superette, employed staff, attended trade shows around Europe & built a 240 strong stockist list.

  • 2007

    Started attending craft fairs & shopping events including the BUST Craftacular in London, Renegade Craft Fair in New York & The Clothes Show Live.

  • 2008

    Launched personalised collection, built a workshop to create products in-house and ran events with the service at Tate Britain, the V&A and the Barbican.

  • 2009

    Started a Pop-Up Tea Shoppe side hustle after visiting New York and becoming obsessed with cupcakes.

  • 2010

    Closed Lady Luck Rules OK & Superette. Toured the UK hosting Indie Biz talks & workshops.

  • 2011

    Turned my lifelong passion for vintage into an Indie Biz and launched Thrift-ola.

  • 2012

    Started using Instagram for business and freelanced for Wayne Hemingway working on the Vintage Festival.

  • 2013

    Worked as the Marketing Manager for Rokit Vintage whilst I plotted my next Indie Biz move.

  • 2014

    Launched a subscription box business called Lucky Dip Club from the corner of my living room.

  • 2015

    Lucky Dip Club becomes a 6-figure business in it's second year. I moved into a studio & employed staff.

  • 2016

    Started a family and left London after 21 years. My business plan for investors is put on the back burner.

  • 2017

    Struggled with running Lucky Dip Club and being a Mum; launched The Rollercoaster of Running an Indie Business support group in response.

  • 2018

    Invested in myself for the first time with a business coach and a therapist. Launched Make It Happen membership group and closed Lucky Dip Club at the end of the year.

  • 2019

    My first year as a service-based business. Launched Indie Roller website and started a podcast Memoirs of an Indie Biz owner to share my story.

I live + breathe the indie biz life and I'm honoured to support and stand for an independent creative way of life. Each day I'm honing my craft and figuring out how I can best serve my subscribers and community. My inbox is always open! I look forward to talking, supporting and sharing what I've experienced with you. Probably over a cuppa or two.