Originally from Haiti, Ismael Thadal immigrated to Maine in 2007. He met Molly Hodgkins, a Maine native, in 2014, and they bonded over their shared love of ice cream. Ismael and Molly began making ice cream at home, working on perfecting their unique recipes with the help of friends, family, and community members who served as eager taste testers. To deepen his knowledge, Ismael took an Ice Cream 101 course at Penn State, which helped him understand the complexities of manufacturing high-quality ice cream.Read More
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Countryside Kids Childcare – Hiram
Karen Bachelder established Countryside Kids Childcare, a home-based daycare in Hiram, in 2020. After two years in operation and with several families on her waitlist, she recognized an opportunity to expand to better serve the growing needs of her community and support more families needing childcare. She envisioned relocating to a new building that would allow her to increase her capacity from 12 to 60 children. Read More
Dreamer Food – Bangor
Anik Derphilibossian is a Registered Nurse (RN), Armenian-born & raised in Lebanon, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 2021. She found herself missing the flavors and food of her homeland. With a love for cooking and encouragement from her fellow nurse and best friend Kara, Anik started sharing her culinary creations – first with friends and then with the wider community. Thus marked the beginning of Anik’s business, Dreamer Foods. It started as a pop-up restaurant operating one day a week at a shared location, and within months, the public fell in love with her Armenian and Lebanese dishes. Read More
Intro to Using ChatGPT in Your Small Business
For small business owners, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) can be a game-changer. Among the various AI tools available, ChatGPT stands out as an accessible and helpful tool. ChatGPT specializes in generating text and having human-like conversations. It can assist with various tasks, including writing, brainstorming, planning, and more. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can integrate ChatGPT into your business operations to enhance efficiency, save time, and stay ahead of the competition.Read More
Woof Daycare & Boarding – Glenburn
Peter Richmond has always been passionate about dogs. When he learned that a well-established dog-focused business was on the market, he saw it as the perfect chance to pursue his dreams. For guidance, his bank recommended he work with the Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC).Read More
Eido Bar Company – Winslow
Rochelle Albert has spent years honing her craft in bartending and catering, learning the ins and outs of creating memorable experiences and delicious cocktails. In 2023, her priorities shifted significantly when she gave birth to her son. As a single mother, she wanted to find a way to be with her son full-time and provide for her family in a meaningful way. This is why she started Eido Bar Company. Read More
4Health Family Medicine – Windham
Su-Anne Hammond is a lifelong Mainer who has spent the last 20 years providing primary care to families in Southern Maine. She has always prioritized creating genuine doctor-patient relationships that allow her to treat the whole person. She envisioned opening her own private practice that would offer affordable, accessible, and direct care to patients. This is why she founded 4Health Family Medicine in Windham, offering a refreshing alternative to the conventional healthcare system. Read More
Ferda Farms – Brunswick
Established in 2018, Ferda Farms is an oyster farm nestled along the picturesque New Meadows River in Brunswick. Committed to sustainable and responsible farming practices, Ferda Farms specializes in cultivating fresh, high-quality Bombazine Oysters that capture the essence of the pristine Maine waters. Business owners Maxwell Burtis and his father Chris are experienced mariners with a deep-rooted connection to Maine’s working waterfront and coastal environment.Read More
Acadia Insulation – Lewiston
After years of working for a large insulation contractor, Wesley (Wes) Grover decided it was time to start his own business. Wes, a U.S. Army veteran, was dissatisfied with the profit-driven approach of his previous employer. He wanted his new venture to prioritize customer service and employee well-being. His goal was to create a workplace culture grounded in fairness, inclusivity, and respect.
For guidance in starting his new business, Wes turned to Business Advisor Chris Dodge at the Maine SBDC. Together, they worked on establishing his LLC, with Chris providing valuable support as Wes developed his business plan and financial projections. These tools proved instrumental when he pitched his business to investors. In addition to a significant owner’s investment, Wes was able to secure the funds needed to launch his business.
Reflecting on his work with the Maine SBDC, Wes comments, “Chris is very knowledgeable, engaging, and offers excellent direction and advice. I would not have been able to build this business as quickly as I did without her knowledge and input.”
Wes officially launched Acadia Insulation in February 2024 in Lewiston, Maine. Veteran-owned and operated, the company specializes in batt, blown-in, and spray foam insulation, primarily serving builders and contractors in the new construction market. Exceeding expectations, Acadia Insulation closed its first year with $2.2M in revenue—nearly double the initial projection of $1.2M-$1.4M.
Looking to the future, Wes plans to expand services to include foundation waterproofing and gutter installation, offering clients a one-stop solution for their needs. The company’s projections for 2025 are $4M in revenue, driven by these new service lines and continued organic growth. With plans to build a dedicated sales team and launch advertising initiatives, Acadia Insulation aims to reach new markets and strengthen its position in the industry.
Acadia Insulation’s veteran-led team embraces the motto “Adapt and Overcome,” guiding them through challenges such as equipment breakdowns, weather disruptions, and shifting project schedules. By focusing on what they can control and integrating themselves into their customers’ build teams, the company fosters a culture of trust. This ensures projects are completed to the highest standards.
With a foundation rooted in teamwork, quality, and innovation, Acadia Insulation is poised for sustained growth. Wes’s leadership reflects a commitment to creating a company where values drive success. Their mission is to add value to every project, and their culture enables them to deliver exceptional results.
For more information, visit their website!
Cybersecurity Basics for Small Businesses
Part 6 of the “Things we wish we knew” Blog series
By: Tina Oddleifson, Business Advisor
Most small business owners don’t spend time worrying about cybersecurity attacks. Who would want to pick on your small business anyway, right? Wrong! As business advisors in Maine, we have heard many stories from our clients about attempts and attacks on their businesses. In some cases, this leads to the permanent closure of the business.
According to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) established by Congress in 2018, small businesses are three times more likely to be targeted by cybersecurity attacks than larger businesses. Over 80% of ransomware attacks are targeted at small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and 60% of businesses who experience a ransomware attack cease operations entirely within 6 months. Read More