Wild Cow Creamery makes all-natural ice cream from scratch. Each small batch is made with simple, high-quality ingredients and add-ins are mixed in by hand. Their shop in Belfast and stand on the Bangor waterfront are local summer staples. The pandemic hit just as business owners Sarah Wilder and Ryan Cowan were getting ready for the upcoming season.Read More
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Kiss Creations – Raymond
It’s always a fascinating occurrence when someone experiments with a new hobby and finds that not only do they enjoy it but they have the capability to turn it into a profitable business! Crystal Tidwell did just that, amidst the pandemic she started playing around with laser cutting; creating topo maps and other designs made out of wood using the laser cutting device. Crystal found herself genuinely enjoying the work in addition to receiving positive feedback and decided to turn this hobby/side hustle into a small business, naming her business Kiss Creations. To officially start her new business, she had to find ways to access some additional capital for start-up costs such as acquiring a larger laser device. She began the process of applying for the CEI Wicked Fast Loan, and that’s how Crystal found herself being directed to the Maine Small Business Development Centers. Read More
Lessons Learned: What Does it Mean to “Pivot”
The second in a series of blog posts of what the small business community learned from COVID-19. This week we are exploring what it takes to pivot successfully? And why can some businesses in the same industry do this better than others?
The word “pivot” was heard repeatedly throughout the pandemic. And while sometimes overused, it accurately describes the ability of a business to change course and adapt to a shifting environment.Read More
Northern Lights Hearth & Sports – Farmington
Josh & Alicia had worked for the previous owner of Northern Lights Hearth & Sports for more than a decade before they were approached about the possibility of stepping into an ownership position. Josh & Alicia were familiar with the business and were strongly positioned to take over the responsibilities of ownership but had never thought about the logistics of an acquisition. To understand the different stages of the transfer and develop a reasonable debt structure for their “new” business, they turned to the Maine SBDC at Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments. Working alongside Business Advisor Raynor Large, they tweaked their business plan, developed a set of financial projections, understood and negotiated their purchase structure, and closed on the deal. Read More
Maine Fly Company – North Yarmouth
Jeff Davis had one goal in mind to celebrate his late father: to share his passion for Maine’s fly fishing culture. Jeff wanted to provide high-quality, affordable small batch rods that are carefully crafted to reflect the beauty of Maine’s waterways. Since opening in 2019, Jeff and his team have experienced promising growth and have plans to continue to expand the business. Jeff found the Maine Small Business Development Centers while seeking advice on the best approaches to expansion. Read More
Sarah Brandon Art – Steuben
Sarah Brandon moved to Maine over 30 years ago, inspired by Maine’s beauty and strong art community. She knew this was the perfect location to fulfill her artist aspirations. Sarah specializes in the traditional hand lettering for custom boats and small signs. She also creates watercolor paintings, unique durable floor cloths, cards, and many other art offerings all inspired by Maine’s nature. Read More
Tips to Navigating the Labor Shortage
Photo Credit: Hope Davison | MLive.com
You are not alone. The labor shortage has been crippling for small businesses across Maine. While the crisis is not new, the pandemic has amplified the problem. There is a variety of contributing factors to the labor situation including the availability of childcare, housing, and foreign workers. While nearly 7 out of 10 pandemic job losses have been recovered, there is still competition with enhanced unemployment benefits which are set to expire in September. Even once we’ve recovered from the pandemic, the Maine Department of Labor’s outlook of the labor market is troubling, expecting a loss of nearly 16,000 jobs between 2018 and 2028.
Here are some tips to navigating the situation for your small business:
Shore Path Cottage – Bar Harbor
Shore Path Cottage is located on the coastline in Bar Harbor overlooking Frenchman’s bay and less than two miles from Acadia National Park. They offer one the most comfortable and scenic B&B’s in the State of Maine. Roberta Chester has maintained the history of the 1880 building while incorporating innovations and modernization for her guests. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shore Path Cottage suffered immensely, having to close its doors due to safety concerns and guidelines. Roberta had to identify ways to sustain the losses from 2020, and that’s when she contacted the Maine Small Business Development Center. Read More
Expose Design LLC – Portland
Since 2008, Victor Rios and his business Expose Design LLC has provided small businesses with customized marketing solutions that help them grow. Expose Design offers all things marketing including graphic design, logo creation, print work, embroidery, screen-printing, and promotional content creation. Like most small businesses, Expose Design took a financial hit during the pandemic. This in combination with some previous high-interest debt had Victor concerned about his future. He was referred to the Maine Small Business Development Centers for assistance understanding funding options to help in the recovery process.Read More
Better Living Center – Farmington
Wayne Drake had a unique opportunity, to purchase and take over the business where he began his professional career. When Wayne was a teenager, he worked at Better Living Center, an organic, whole food store located in Farmington Maine. He not only assisted with customer service duties but helped with bookkeeping, payroll, and ordering supplies. This experience sparked Wayne’s interest in pursuing a banking and law enforcement career. Years passed but Wayne never forgot the values he gained at Better Living Center. When the previous owners were ready to sell, Wayne jumped at the opportunity.