Small Business Saturday helps promote Maine communities and the businesses that make them special. It’s a great day to highlight your business and show how much you appreciate your customers. It provides a unique opportunity for small businesses throughout Maine to increase holiday sales. Use Small Business Saturday to generate sales, foot traffic and visibility… Read more »
Posts Categorized: News & Events
Getting Noticed as a Small Fish
There are many low or no-budget actions that can be taken to generate awareness, optimize service, and keep customers coming back.
Maine’s Greatest Entrepreneurial Opportunity
Starting a business from scratch is one of the most rewarding – and difficult – challenges to undertake. Filing for an LLC is easy, but helping the business to grow and develop requires time, effort, and unconditional (and sometimes unrequited) love.
The hurdles are significant: 20% of startups fail in the first year – a rate that jumps to well over 40% by year 4. [1] Top reasons for failure include: No Market Need (42%), Not Enough Cash (29%), Not the Right Team (23%), Product without a Business Model (17%), and Poor Marketing (14%).[2]
But, if you want the coveted title of Entrepreneur, what’s the alternative? How can you reduce these risks and still achieve your goals?
Buy a Business that already exists.
New Workplace Violence Prevention Training for Retail Small Businesses
Maine SBDC has partnered with the University of Southern Maine’s Cutler Institute to create a FREE, self-paced online training just for retail and foodservice small businesses! DID YOU KNOW? As an employer, you are legally responsible for safety in the workplace. Workplace violence is the 2nd leading cause of workplace fatalities in the U.S. overall… Read more »
Maine SBDC names Ann McAlhany as 2019 State Star
Bangor, Maine –The Maine SBDC has selected Ann McAlhany as the 2019 State Star. The award, given annually, recognizes a member of the Maine SBDC staff that has shown exemplary performance and a strong commitment to small business success. “Ann is dedicated to the success of her clients and the Maine SBDC program. She is… Read more »
Maine ranked first in business survival rate; Maine SBDC featured on News Center Maine
This is a great piece from News Center Maine featuring the Maine SBDC and our client Surf & Summit Motorcycle. Two great takeaways… Maine ranks best in New England to start a business according to WalletHub! Maine ranked FIRST (#1!!) in the US in business startup survival rates according to the Kauffman Foundation!
Four Maine SBDC Business Advisors Receive Certification
The Maine Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a state-wide program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, recognized Marc Anton, Susan Desgrosseilliers, Raynor Large and Allison Watson who received their Core Competencies Professional Certification from the New England Professional Development (NEPD) group on Wednesday, May 15, 2019.
Maine SBDC offers FREE webinars to celebrate Small Business Week
Small Business Week is May 5-11. We are hosting *FREE* webinars on topics that are most important to you. Here’s the lineup: Starting a Business in Maine On-Demand Workshop | REGISTER Monday, May 6th – RELEASE DATE New on-demand workshop will be released on May 6th, just in time for Small Business Week. Business Advisor Josh… Read more »
Want to Exit Smoothly? Start Now
By: Raynor Large, Business Advisor Too often, a Seller lets external forces push them out. Unfortunately, selling a business isn’t like selling a home; a buyer’s due diligence looks deeper than the fresh coat of paint and some curb appeal. Instead, the Seller needs to start their planning years in advance for an ideal outcome.
2019 Best Booth Awards – New England Made
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.