By: Maine SBDC Intern Ryan McNally
From banking to social media, mobile apps have become a part of our daily routine. Some businesses only exist as apps, like Uber, and other businesses develop apps to enhance their existing services, like clothing stores. For small businesses, developing a mobile app may seem intimidating and costly, but the benefits can be significant. A well-designed app can increase visibility and sales, improve customer engagement, and streamline operations.Read More
Jessica Alexander is another inspiring small business owner who proved that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Before starting her independent practice Smile4ME Dental Hygiene, Jess was a passionate dental hygienist with 16 years of experience in the industry. However, in 2021 she was looking for a change and felt ready to bring those skills to her hometown. Read More
Katie DeLorme is a woman of many talents! She has taken her background in Integrative Physical Therapy and Health Coaching and blended it with her ever-expanding knowledge in organic gardening, permaculture principles, herbalism, and beekeeping. She brings this wisdom and passion into being a small business owner, focusing on self-care and healing. Katie has taken her blended background to develop a unique line of plant-based products for health and wellness, many from her organically grown botanicals, beeswax, and honey. Maine Sol Botanicals features small-batch, artisan, skin care creations hand-crafted with climate-friendly, ethically sourced ingredients. She offers a variety of soaps, salves, and scrubs plus other natural skin care products. Read More
Brant & Cochran is the only company in the world hand-forging Maine wedge pattern axes these days! There used to be a vibrant edge tool industry in Maine, but it dwindled to nothing in the 1960’s. Their goal is to honor that heritage by bringing quality axe-making back to Maine and there’s certainly not a lack of demand! Mark Ferguson, one of the partners behind Brand & Cochran, approached the Maine SBDC for help putting together an expansion plan in order to keep up with the heavy demand behind this heritage idea! Read More
Bare Bones Handsewn is a very small team of outstandingly skilled craftspeople who are working earnestly to nurture and encourage the pride, history, and integrity of Maine shoe manufacturing community. Renee Robitaille and partner Roland Gauthier love having the creative freedom to practice fine shoe-making while celebrating the skills learned from past generations of family and mentors. But like many entrepreneurs, they have found it challenging to find solutions for each small challenge that arose throughout the day. And when they quickly needed to expand to cover their new wholesale orders she reached out to the Maine SBDC for help! Read More
Melissa Pitcher opened her business, Evolution K9-Maine, to help guide and educate pet owners. They offer dog training and daycare services that allow pet owners to better understand and improve their relationships with their pets. Read More
Gray Urgent Care recently opened its doors providing non-emergent medical evaluations, unencumbered by bureaucracy. Teaming up to make it happen is Patricia Kittredge; a Family Nurse Practitioner and a local who saw the medical need in the area, and Anna Kittredge; a Physician Assistant, with 18 years experience as a PA in emergency medicine and 12 years as a medical officer in the Army. Read More
February 28, 2023
Today the Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) announces the release of its annual report for 2022.
The report showcases the achievements and impact of Maine SBDC’s efforts in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses through business advising, training and resources. The report also highlights individual entrepreneurs, illustrating the transformative effect that Maine SBDC’s services can have on small businesses and the broader community.
In 2022, business advisors across Maine provided no-cost, confidential business advising to 2,284 entrepreneurs and small businesses. They spent over 10,000 hours helping clients to start 129 new businesses, save and create 591 jobs, and access $30.3 million in funding.Read More
Scott McArdle & Damon Waltz have been close friends and co-workers in the food industry for years. They’ve been building up experience in different positions at a variety of locations, but have been long-time employees at King Eider’s Pub in Damariscotta. They truly knew the restaurant industry inside & out, co-managing & growing together – but when the opportunity to purchase King Eider’s arose, it put the business in a new light. The existing owners were committed to the transition and understood the value Scott & Damon brought, but they wanted to fully understand the risks & challenges that came along with the opportunity. Read More
Some of the best parts of networking are meeting people from all backgrounds, building your business, finding new clients, and getting your name out there, but it can also be an uncomfortable experience. If you’re an introvert, networking may be one of your least favorite activities. So here are some tips and tricks to make it effective and as stress-free as possible!
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