Five exhibitors were recognized for their booth designs at this years New England Made show which took place from March 16-18, 2019 at the Sports Complex in Portland. Read More
Blog
News Release: Maine SBDC to Celebrate 3rd Annual SBDC Day
Small Business Development Centers Around the Country Celebrate Impact on Small Business on Wednesday, March 20th
For over 40 years the Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) has helped aspiring and emerging business owners achieve the American dream of entrepreneurship. On Wednesday, March 20, the Maine SBDC will join SBDCs around the country for one special day to celebrate their work, impact and most importantly their clients – America’s small businesses.
“SBDC Day is a great opportunity to highlight the amazing work our clients and advisors do together, and to celebrate their successes in Maine and across the country,” commented State Director Mark Delisle.
With nearly 1,000 locations across the country, SBDCs provide local businesses and entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed. In Maine, business advisors helped over 1,500 entrepreneurs to start 136 businesses, create and save 810 jobs and access $38.7 million in capital in 2018 alone.
“[With] proven ROI and stellar client ratings it’s clear that America’s SBDCs are the nation’s most trusted small business resource,” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, President & CEO of America’s SBDC.
To celebrate the collective impact and success SBDCs have across the nation and in local communities each year, America’s SBDCs are hosting the third annual SBDC Day on March 20th. SBDC Day is a national movement to help share the small business success stories and notable impact SBDCs have fostered in communities nationwide.
To learn more about SBDC Day, and to join the movement, visit http://www.americassbdc.org/SBDCDay
Wilcox Wellness & Fitness – Bangor & Brunswick, Maine
When Paige Wilcox and her husband Mike first opened Wilcox Wellness & Fitness six years ago, they worked extensively with Maine SBDC business advisor Tom Gallant. Tom helped the Wilcox’s to create a business plan in order to obtain the necessary financing which allowed them to open the doors of their 4,000 square foot facility in Bangor. Tom challenged them to think through the value proposition and the transition process. With that, they were set up for success from the beginning. Paige remembers, “Tom was amazing for us – 1 part business advisor, 2 parts marriage counselor, and 100% amazing.”Read More
New Center Director & Business Advisor in our Portland Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Maine SBDC names Peter Harriman as Center Director
Portland, Maine – The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a program that provides business advising and training to Maine’s entrepreneurs and small businesses, recently named Business Advisor Peter Harriman to Center Director at the Portland office located at the University of Southern Maine. Within this new role, Harriman will oversee operations at both the Portland and Saco offices, including the management of three business advisors. He will also continue to advise entrepreneurs and small businesses in the greater Portland area.
Harriman has been a business advisor with the Maine SBDC for over three years. In this time, he has spent thousands of hours advising hundreds of clients toward success. He was named Maine SBDC’s 2018 State Star, an award given annually to recognize exemplary performance and commitment to small business success. Peter can be reached by calling 207-780-4949 or emailing peter.harriman@maine.edu.
Maine SBDC hires Susan Desgrosseilliers as Business Advisor
The Maine SBDC has also hired Susan Desgrosseilliers as a Business Advisor in their Portland office located at the University of Southern Maine. Desgrosseilliers will provide business advising to new and existing entrepreneurs and small businesses in Cumberland County.
Desgrosseilliers has a Bachelors degree from the University of Southern Maine. She has owned and operated several small businesses including a high-end design showroom and a property development and management company. She has also held positions with the City of Portland, the Rockland/Thomaston Chamber of Commerce and several real estate agencies. She can be reached by calling 207-780-4949 or emailing susan.desgrosseilliers@maine.edu.
Acknowledging the achievements of Business Advisor Larry Giroux, retiring February 28th
Please join us in celebrating the career of Larry Giroux, who is retiring from the Maine SBDC on February 28, 2019.
On-demand, online seminars to prepare you for your next trade show
Exhibiting at a trade show is an investment. Learn how to make the most of your next trade show at one of our online seminars!
These seminars are especially helpful for those exhibiting at the New England Made Giftware & Specialty Food Show, but are open to anyone interested in learning more about trade shows.
TGN Detailing
Have you ever gotten your vehicle detailed and felt the stress of dropping your vehicle off for service and not having access to your vehicle for a full day? Anyone who has gotten their vehicle detailed will tell you this is the biggest downside to the service. Although many people take pride in their vehicles and want clean rides, sometimes the hassle of not having a vehicle to use during the day stops people dead in their tracks. This inconvenience is what sparked Taylor Nadeau’s creative juices to open a mobile detailing business. Nadeau has been detailing vehicles on the side for years and has worked for local dealerships in the past, and in his experience, it was always a challenge getting clients to drop off and leave their vehicle for any extended amount of time. Nadeau saw the inconvenience this caused clients as an opportunity for himself.Read More
New Business Resource Group for Bangor Area Entrepreneurs
Business development agencies in Bangor have joined together to form the Business Resource Partners for Greater Bangor. The collaborative helps businesses grow through education, referrals, and personalized advising services.
Maine SBDC is joined in this partnership by Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC), Four Directions Development Corp., MaineStream Finance, New Ventures Maine, SCORE, and Scratchpad Accelerator. While the partners have always worked together organically, this new initiative makes it easier for area entrepreneurs to access the services they need to start and grow their businesses with the help of these nonprofit organizations.Read More
Seiders Hill-Top Lanes – Hodgton, Maine
Laura Seider and her husband Geno have wanted to own their business for years. The couple has turned to Center Director and Business Advisors Josh Nadeau for assistance over the last several years assessing different business opportunities, but have not quite found one worth purchasing or pursuing.Read More
Herbal Revolution – Union, Maine
Kathi Langelier is the founder and formulator of Herbal Revolution. Herbal Revolution is a wellness products business that provides handcrafted, high quality herbal teas, tonics and elixirs. For over 20 years, Kathi has been farming and formulating botanical medicine and has a deep love for the natural world. Based in mid-coast Maine, she grows non GMO, pesticide and chemical free herbs that are used in products on her certified organic farm.Read More