Michelle DeBlois and Kathryn Lariviere, both full-time middle school teachers, tri-founded LiteracyTech, Inc. with Peter Janett, a web application developer in December 2019. Their vision was to create a web-based application that would bring educators and students together in the independent reading process. The app, which they named ReMo, streamlines the cumbersome and obsolete data management associated with literacy education and helps students engage with books they’ll love.Read More
By: Madeleine Lutts, Maine SBDC Intern
Since everyday life and the general business landscape have changed dramatically for almost all of us this year, most consumers are acting and behaving differently in at least one way. If you think about your shopping habits, and whether or not your shopping experiences have changed in the recent past, there’s a good chance you’ve been adapting to regulations and accessibility. Read More
As the 2020-21 school year approaches, parents and employers alike face tremendous challenges. Will education be in person, hybrid, or entirely virtually? How will working parents care for their children while doing remote schooling? It’s important for business owners to understand Federal and State rulings that impact both employers and employees.Read More
By: Keenan Hendricks, Maine SBDC Intern
Maintaining a digital presence is one of the most vital parts of a small business’s success. It’s crucial to understand how to optimize your digital marketing. Here are ten marketing tips that all small business should be doing right now: Read More
On June 5th, G-Force Adventure Center & Laser Tag in Brewer reopened its doors for the first time in three months, following a mandatory shutdown due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The business has been operating in the “new normal” for nearly a month now, and while business isn’t back to pre-COVID levels by any stretch, the small weekly increases in calls, visitors, and birthday party reservations bring hope for the future. While the past four months have been a challenge, owner Brian Plavnick considers himself one of the lucky ones.Read More
COVID has caused massive disruptions in the way we all do business. Businesses throughout Maine are finding unique and interesting ways to connect with their customers, find new revenue streams, and keep their businesses afloat. Want to share how your business is pivoting? Contact us here.
Joseph Musumeci and Mary Ellms own Farmington Underground Escape Room Center, which offers residents and visitors to the area a chance to fully immerse themselves in one of two (soon to be three!) themed rooms. Guests have one hour to use puzzles, clues, hints, teamwork, and intuition to figure everything out and achieve victory. The business brings much-needed recreation to Western Maine and has established a loyal following. Read More
Marcia Wiggins founded Cape Whoopies, Maine’s Gourmet Whoopie Pie in 2012. Located in South Portland, Maine, Cape Whoopies offers gourmet, unique whoopie pies that feature ingredients from all over the globe, such as chocolate from the Netherlands and vanilla from Madagascar. Cape Whoopies has seen explosive growth, outgrowing their space multiple times.
Like many small business owners, Rhonda Feiman, acupuncturist, wonders how long it will be before her clinic experiences some level of normalcy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns of safety, logistics, and compliance prevent Rhonda from reopening her practice to in-person care. She’s been serving her clients through telehealth for several months, but a lack of personal contact left a void in her offerings and her bank account.Read More
Help us help you.By: Keenan Hendricks, Maine SBDC Intern
Customer service looks different these days. As a business owner, you are in control of how your customers see you through this shift. While it is vital to try your best to enforce and follow CDC safety guidelines, there are opportunities to serve and develop relationships with your customers amidst the pandemic.
Here are some tips from a recent webinar hosted by Business Advisor Susan Desgrosseilliers.
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