Cadillac Mountain Summit Service

Ellen Finn has lived and worked as a local tour guide on Mount Desert Island for many years. When Acadia National Park instituted a reservation system for driving up the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road, limiting access to this popular spot in the peak tourist season, Ellen saw the need for a no-reservation, hourly, shuttle service to the top of Cadillac Mountain so their adventures could continue!

Unsure where to begin with no prior experience, Ellen connected with Maine SBDC at CEI Business Advisor Shannon Byers to start her planning process. Later, Business Advisor Ann McAlhany stepped in and helped her polish and finalize her plan. Ellen and Ann worked through creating a business plan and the necessary financial projections. They also navigated securing permits and funding to get started. Just before launching the business, Ann brought in fellow Maine SBDC Business Advisor Eric Treworgy to lend a hand with the marketing strategy.

Cadillac Mountain Summit Shuttle takes passengers (and even dogs!) up and down Cadillac Mountain in Bessie, the Mercedes 15-passenger van. The shuttle runs hourly from sunrise to sunset all summer long, bringing excited families up and tired hikers down Cadillac Mountain.

Ellen commented, “[Maine SBDC] will help all along the way and guide you towards reaching your goals and lead you in the right direction to achieve them. I could not have done it without them.”