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Fore & Wharf – Portland

Dylan John and his fiancé Ellen turned their passion for style and community into Fore & Wharf, a boutique located in the heart of Portland. Specializing in thoughtfully curated men’s and women’s clothing, the shop embodies the charm and lifestyle of New England. Dylan’s vision was to create a store that celebrates coastal living while offering high-quality, unique pieces to be enjoyed by all.

Fore & Wharf owners

Dylan saw Portland as the ideal place to bring his dream to life. However, as a seasonal business in Portland’s tourist-driven retail market, he needed to carefully balance inventory, anticipate customer preferences, and stay ahead of trends—all while managing the complexities of launching a new business. Recognizing the need for expert guidance, Dylan reached out to the Maine SBDC in March 2023 for support.

Working with Business Advisor Chris Cole, Dylan received personalized guidance on crafting a business plan, managing financial projections, and planning inventory for the seasonal market. These foundational steps gave him the tools and confidence to move forward.

“What I appreciated most was how Chris took the time to truly understand my vision for Fore & Wharf and helped me bring it to life in a way that felt authentic to both me and the Portland community,” Dylan shared.

Fore & Wharf main storeFore & Wharf officially opened in July 2023, offering locals and visitors a personalized shopping experience. The boutique features casual coastal styles, timeless wardrobe essentials, and a growing selection of skincare and fragrance products. Dylan and Ellen have also introduced collaborations with local brands, further embedding Fore & Wharf into the Portland community.

Fore & Wharf clothing selectionReflecting on his journey, Dylan described Chris as “invaluable” in helping Fore & Wharf become a reality. “Her support gave me the confidence to take risks and make decisions that set the foundation for our success,” he said.

Looking ahead, Dylan plans to expand Fore & Wharf’s offerings through community events, exclusive collaborations, and an enhanced online store. At the heart of these efforts is a commitment to maintaining the boutique’s authenticity and ensuring it remains a space where customers feel welcome and inspired.

With its blend of coastal charm, unique style, and heartfelt community connections, Fore & Wharf has already become a standout boutique in Portland. Dylan credits the Maine SBDC as a key partner in this success: “Their guidance has been essential every step of the way.”

FOR MORE INFO, CHECK OUT FORE & WHARF’S INSTAGRAM PAGE OR WEBSITE.

Stand Out This Holiday Season: A Small Business Guide to Success

As the holiday season approaches, consumer spending is expected to rise. Even more promising, nearly 50% of shoppers prefer to visit physical stores to “assess products first-hand,” according to a recent Accenture Holiday Shopping survey. In this guide, we share three strategies to help your small business make the most of this shopping season.

Tip 1: Participate in Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is happening on November 30, 2024! This special day highlights the importance of supporting small, local businesses. With proper planning, you can make it a standout day for your business. Here’s how to prepare:

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Arranged by Amy – Greater Portland

Amy Smith, an occupational therapist (OT) for nearly 30 years, saw a recurring need among her older adult clients. She noticed many with cognitive and physical challenges struggled to stay organized, impacting their independence and daily functioning. Realizing she was in a unique position to help, Amy decided to start her own professional organizing business in early 2023, Arranged by Amy.Read More

Jerome’s – Portland

Sasha Salzberg, Ian Daly, and Evan Carroll had a vision: to open an authentic New England sports bar in the heart of Portland. With combined expertise in bar management, design, and business management, the trio pooled their skills to make this dream a reality. However, their shared passion for bringing people together sparked the idea for Jerome’s.

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Maine Names 2024 State Star

Stephanie Case State Star 2024The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) has selected Stephanie Case as the 2024 State Star. The award, given annually, recognizes a member of the Maine SBDC staff who has shown exemplary performance and a strong commitment to small business success.

Stephanie Case is the Administrative & Data Manager at the Maine SBDC. In her role, she works tirelessly to ensure entrepreneurs and business owners get seamless access to Maine SBDC services. She oversees client intake to ensure effective delivery of services, provides patient guidance to colleagues on the policies and practices of the SBDC, and creates data reporting that helps enhance both individual and program performance. 

Stephanie is known for asking excellent questions that help identify and clarify issues. She works diligently to overcome obstacles that improve the Maine SBDC program. In the three years she has been with the SBDC, she has contributed to many critical improvements to SBDC practices and operations. Stephanie helps keep the Maine SBDC operating efficiently, consistently, and accurately. Before joining the SBDC in 2021, Stephanie worked at a non-profit run organization that educates on the power of buying local and promoting the goods of small-batch makers and artisans.

“Stephanie’s positive attitude, willingness to help, and strategic thinking consistently lead to outcomes that exceed expectations and help the entire organization run more smoothly,” commented Mark Delisle, Maine SBDC State Director. “In a very short period of time, Stephanie has demonstrated her ability to learn quickly and be a key part of the team.”

Each year, America’s Small Business Development Centers recognizes top performers from programs around the country at its annual conference. A special reception was held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia to honor this year’s award winners.

Ground Well Counseling – Bowdoinham

Ground Well Counseling logoAilish Kress has always had a passion for helping others. With a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Graduate Certificate in Adventure-based Counseling, she’s turning her passion into a career. Ailish set out to launch Ground Well Counseling, offering experiential counseling that integrates nature and therapy through garden-based techniques. Her innovative approach helps clients address issues of adjustment, trauma recovery, and emotional, relational, and communication skills.Read More

Our Commitment to You

The Maine SBDC is preparing for an upcoming shift in its organizational structure. Rest assured, entrepreneurs and existing small business owners across Maine will continue to receive the same high-quality, no-cost, and confidential Maine SBDC business advising services they rely on.

What’s Changing:

Starting October 1st, Coastal Enterprises Inc (CEI) will no longer be providing Maine SBDC business advising services. CEI is implementing this change to better align with its mission and strategic plan, and will focus on prioritizing its business advising services to entrepreneurs in specific populations and sectors.

Despite this change, Maine SBDC and CEI will remain collaborative partners, working together to ensure Maine’s entrepreneurs and small businesses have the resources needed to thrive.

What’s NOT Changing:

The Maine SBDC will continue to offer high-quality, confidential, and no-cost business advising services to diverse small business communities across Maine.

SBDC logo with text that say "Committed to Your Success". No cost, statewide, high quality, confidential and professional business advising, training, and resources.Over the past 45+ years, the Maine SBDC with the assistance and support of CEI and its other contract partners, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG) in Auburn, the Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) in Caribou, and the University of Southern Maine (USM) in Portland, has provided one-on-one business advising services to thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses across Maine.

The Maine SBDC looks forward to continuing to provide exceptional business advising services and embracing this change as an opportunity to better address the ever-changing needs of Maine’s entrepreneurial community.

If you have questions about this change, please contact mainesbdc@maine.edu. To request Maine SBDC business advising services, click here.

Gillies Law – Portland

Gillies Law logoJennifer Gillies completed her law degree at the University of Maine before dedicating nearly 10 years to serving Maine’s immigrant community as an immigration attorney at a local firm. During her time at the University, Jennifer was introduced to immigration law through the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic, igniting her passion for assisting asylum seekers and individuals navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.Read More

MainelyNP Primary Care – South Portland

MainelyNP Primary Care logoAmy Brown, a dedicated nurse practitioner from South Portland, Maine, has always been passionate about healthcare. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she dreamed of providing more personalized and comprehensive care to her patients. This dream led her to establish MainelyNP Primary Care, a direct primary care practice offering a subscription-based model that allows for more meaningful patient interactions and better healthcare outcomes.
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