Posts Categorized: Success Stories

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… Read more »

Time & Tide Coffee – Biddeford, Maine

Jon Phillips and Briana Campbell had long dreamed of starting their own coffee company. The New York-based couple had the perfect combination of skills. Jon had experience in all aspects of the coffee business while Briana brought the branding and marketing expertise. They dreamed of a place where they could offer the best beans, sourced… Read more »

The Village Woodworker – Oxford, Maine

As Brian Warren approached his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, his father-in-law Robert Roakes, the owner of The Village Woodworker, was ready to retire too. Warren had been working alongside Roakes for ten years and talked with him about carrying on his woodworking legacy, which led to the opportunity to purchase the woodworking business… Read more »

Farmington D – Farmington, Maine

Rachel Jackson is no stranger in the restaurant scene in Western Maine. She has operated two other restaurants in the area, and for years has dreamed of opening another in the Farmington area. Rachel began working with Business Advisor Larry Giroux as she explored her options and next steps in making this dream a reality.

Surf & Summit Motorcycle – Scarborough, Maine

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 »

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 »