It’s a well-known truth that the most successful businesses solve real-world problems. That is exactly what Dr. Jason Hine, Emergency Medicine Physician in Maine set out to do by forming his company, SimKit.
Unlike specialists, emergency physicians must be prepared to perform a wide range of procedures, often at a moment’s notice and under pressure. Some of these procedures are complex and rarely performed, which can lead to “skill decay.”
Dylan John and his fiancé Ellen turned their passion for style and community into Fore & Wharf, a boutique located in the heart of Portland. Specializing in thoughtfully curated men’s and women’s clothing, the shop embodies the charm and lifestyle of New England. Dylan’s vision was to create a store that celebrates coastal living while offering high-quality, unique pieces to be enjoyed by all.
Amy Smith, an occupational therapist (OT) for nearly 30 years, saw a recurring need among her older adult clients. She noticed many with cognitive and physical challenges struggled to stay organized, impacting their independence and daily functioning. Realizing she was in a unique position to help, Amy decided to start her own professional organizing business in early 2023, Arranged by Amy.Read More
Sasha Salzberg, Ian Daly, and Evan Carroll had a vision: to open an authentic New England sports bar in the heart of Portland. With combined expertise in bar management, design, and business management, the trio pooled their skills to make this dream a reality. However, their shared passion for bringing people together sparked the idea for Jerome’s.
Ailish Kress has always had a passion for helping others. With a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Graduate Certificate in Adventure-based Counseling, she’s turning her passion into a career. Ailish set out to launch Ground Well Counseling, offering experiential counseling that integrates nature and therapy through garden-based techniques. Her innovative approach helps clients address issues of adjustment, trauma recovery, and emotional, relational, and communication skills.Read More
Jennifer Gillies completed her law degree at the University of Maine before dedicating nearly 10 years to serving Maine’s immigrant community as an immigration attorney at a local firm. During her time at the University, Jennifer was introduced to immigration law through the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic, igniting her passion for assisting asylum seekers and individuals navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.Read More
Amy Brown, a dedicated nurse practitioner from South Portland, Maine, has always been passionate about healthcare. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she dreamed of providing more personalized and comprehensive care to her patients. This dream led her to establish MainelyNP Primary Care, a direct primary care practice offering a subscription-based model that allows for more meaningful patient interactions and better healthcare outcomes.
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Originally from Haiti, Ismael Thadal immigrated to Maine in 2007. He met Molly Hodgkins, a Maine native, in 2014, and they bonded over their shared love of ice cream. Ismael and Molly began making ice cream at home, working on perfecting their unique recipes with the help of friends, family, and community members who served as eager taste testers. To deepen his knowledge, Ismael took an Ice Cream 101 course at Penn State, which helped him understand the complexities of manufacturing high-quality ice cream.Read More
Karen Bachelder established Countryside Kids Childcare, a home-based daycare in Hiram, in 2020. After two years in operation and with several families on her waitlist, she recognized an opportunity to expand to better serve the growing needs of her community and support more families needing childcare. She envisioned relocating to a new building that would allow her to increase her capacity from 12 to 60 children. Read More
Anik Derphilibossian is a Registered Nurse (RN), Armenian-born & raised in Lebanon, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 2021. She found herself missing the flavors and food of her homeland. With a love for cooking and encouragement from her fellow nurse and best friend Kara, Anik started sharing her culinary creations – first with friends and then with the wider community. Thus marked the beginning of Anik’s business, Dreamer Foods. It started as a pop-up restaurant operating one day a week at a shared location, and within months, the public fell in love with her Armenian and Lebanese dishes. Read More
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