Steven Salois came to see Maine SBDC Business Advisor Peter Harriman with a novel business idea. He wanted to start a motorcycle rental business in Southern Maine. This business would be much like car rentals for travelers, but for motorcycles. This type of business is uncommon, and Steven saw a need for Maine tourists who… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Success Stories
Engine 5 Bakehouse – Waterville, Maine
Stephanie LaCroix had big plans when she and her husband Roland purchased a retired fire department substation on Western Ave in Waterville. She wanted to completely renovate the building and start her own bakery. She and her husband worked for nearly 5 years to revamp the old space, but when it came time to start… Read more »
Black Bear Support Services- Lewiston, Maine
Growing up as a daughter of a female entrepreneur, Laura Catevenis knew she was destined to start a business. From an early age, she watched her mother juggle a family, job, and college. After attending the same college as her parents and earning her Associates Degree, Laura discovered her passion for Human Service right away… Read more »
Fire & Dough – Milbridge, Maine
As children, Anne Hassett and her sister Carrie Lacy ate homemade pizza that their father made from scratch every Saturday night. Originally from Connecticut, Ann had property in Milbridge and spent summers vacationing in Maine, a place both sisters loved. In 2017, Anne and Carrie approached the Maine SBDC with a dream of relocating to… Read more »
Carmichael Transport Inc. – Bangor, Maine
Mickey Carmichael and his business Carmichael Transport Inc. have provided services to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for almost 40 years in the Bangor area. Recently, the USPS changed the way they award mail routes, with the consolidation of smaller routes into larger contracts. For the northern Maine Region, this meant there would only be two contracts out of the Hampden service center – for Region A and Region B. Mickey knew this could be an opportunity to expand his business and wanted to make sure he thoroughly understood the bidding process. For assistance, he turned to the Maine SBDC and met with Business Advisor Ann McAlhany.
Rockwood Cottages – Rockwood, Maine
Rockwood Cottages consists of 7 two bedroom cottages situated on the western shore of Moosehead Lake in Rockwood, Maine. The cottages feature all the comforts of home and overlook the lake and popular Mt. Kineo, a majestic mountain that arises out of the water forming a sheer 700-foot cliff. With a motto of “A stranger… Read more »
David Jacobson Glass – Montville, Maine
David Jacobson has worked with Maine SBDC Business Advisor David Hill since 2004. Jacobson, a successful cartoonist and glass blower, had just moved to Maine from New York City and wanted to establish his own studio in Montville.
Village Market – Carmel, Maine
The Village Market has stood in the heart of the Town of Carmel for over 70 years. After being closed for five years, Jamey Brown and his wife Raquel came to Business Advisor Ann McAlhany with a dream to purchase and re-open a local market.
Katahdin Communications – Millinocket, Maine
Katahdin Communications is a locally owned radio broadcasting company. It’s main station WSYY AM and FM broadcasts in a sports format and serves Northern and Downeast Maine. It features programming from CBS Radio and CBS Radio News as well as covering local school sporting events. Business owner James Talbot has big plans for the business…. Read more »
Wallace James Clothing Co. – Portland, Maine
Kimberly Ortengren started Wallace James Clothing Company in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood with the hope of inspiring confidence in new and existing designers to make clothing right here in Maine. She understood the challenge independent designers faced to produce apparel, and wanted to create an incubator-like space that would allow them to take their concepts and… Read more »