Success Stories

Client Success Stories

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 make them a reality. Wallace James is a place where new designers could make their ideas come to life, while receiving expert mentorship on the design, development and production process. It also helps companies scale up, with streamlined, sustainable practices that save money and waste. Read More

The Francis – Portland, Maine

When Jeff Harder and Nate Delois had an opportunity to purchase the historic Mellen E Bolster House at 747 Congress Street in Portland they had a vision of what it could become. The home was built in 1881 and had beautiful features and design. That vision has become The Francis hotel, a 15 room boutique hotel in Portland’s West end.Read More

Creative Signs & Apparel – Rumford, Maine

Jennifer Pingree and her husband Brian had the opportunity to purchase Creative Signs & Apparel, a screen and vinyl printing business located in the heart of Rumford. The opportunity was a perfect fit for their family. It would allow Jennifer to care their 2-year old daughter while managing the business. Brian would continue his work in the woods, allowing the business to grow to an income level that could support their family. Read More

Cityside by E&S Auto Repair – Scarborough, Maine

After two years in business, Sukhi Singh, co-owner of E&S Auto Repair in Scarborough, came to the Maine SBDC looking for help to grow his business. Him and his business partner Edwin Zukic had been working out of a leased three bay garage and were quickly running into two main problems – rent was relatively high and the business was quickly outgrowing the three bays. This prompted Singh to sit down with Business Adviser Peter Harriman to discuss how to finance the purchase of a larger garage.

Singh was able to locate a six bay garage for sale relatively close to his current business. With English as his second language and not having much experience in financing, Singh needed help putting together a comprehensive business plan to obtain a loan for the purchase. Harriman explained the various types of financing available, and that multiple sources would likely be necessary. The pair worked back and forth over several months to ensure that Singh had a thorough business plan narrative as well as a realistic set of financials to present to his potential funders.

Singh worked to negotiate with the seller, checking in regularly with Harriman for advice. With the agreement in place, Singh was able to successfully obtained $500,000 from Gorham Savings Bank. In addition, he secured an additional $85,000 from Greater Portland Council of Governments and Community Concepts. was able to close on the loan, successfully obtaining $500,000 from Gorham Savings Bank.

In October 2017, Cityside by E&S Auto Repair moved to its new, larger space at 42 Holmes Road in Scaborough. Known for its professional and trustworthy service, Singh reports that the business is busier than ever.

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Island Dog Brewing – South Portland, Maine

Jim Denz’s passion for brewing started in 1994, when he began making his own beer in the basement of his home. Before long, he was the go-to beer supplier for friends and family, producing three different beers. Jim began visiting local craft breweries, exploring the craft beer industry and imagining what it would be like to be part of it all. He knew his beer was good and he wanted to be able to share it with everyone, not just those closest to him.Read More

Mill Cove Baking Company – Portland, Maine

When Nina Murray decided she wanted to start her own bakery making homemade crackers, she gave herself plenty of time to do it right. She came in to the Maine SBDC at the University of Southern Maine in Portland and met with Business Advisor Peter Harriman who advised her on many steps of starting and running a successful business.Read More

Joe Lane Lobsterman – Damariscotta, Maine

Izzy Nelson and Joe Lane have owned Joe Lane Lobsterman since 2014, operating their business from various temporary Damariscotta locations such as the farmers market. Their business specializes in live and cooked whole lobsters, which Lane, who is a fourth-generation lobsterman, catches from his boat, the Spirit of ’76.

After taking the summer of 2016 off, the couple saw an opportunity to reopen their restaurant in a more permanent location – the former home of Skidompha Second Hand Book Shop, which had recently relocated. In order to do this, the couple needed to transform the space into a restaurant and purchase the necessary equipment for a commercial kitchen. They turned to Maine SBDC Business Advisor David Hill for assistance in obtaining financing with hopes of opening the restaurant in early summer 2017, which was a little over 2 months away.Read More

Integrity Services of Maine – Poland, Maine

Bill Bouchard of Poland has 20 years experience in the HVAC industry. After years as a technician, supervisor and project manager with the largest HVAC service company in Southern Maine, Bouchard wanted to start his own business. While he had all the necessary licensing and experience, he needed assistance in getting his business started and turned to Larry Giroux, a certified business advisor with the Maine SBDC at AVCOG in Auburn.Read More

Custom Composite Technologies, Inc. – Bath, Maine

CCTI logo Since 2005, Custom Composite Technologies, Inc. (CCTI) has been developing lightweight, durable carbon fiber and fiberglass solutions for its customers around the world. A pioneer in advance composite technology and application, the company creates customized, high-performance solutions for industries and individuals with unique challenges. Their innovative techniques and advance composite materials are fabricated from their facility in Bath, Maine.

Pictured: CCTI Customer, MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team

While CCTI’s specializes in making high-performance boats, they’ve seen significant diversification in their products in recent years, expanding into the transportation, art/architectural, renewable energy, robotics and defense industries. Their parts, tooling and molds have been used in a racing sailboat used by the America’s Cup champions, in art exhibits featured in prominent US cities, in a solar vehicle that is being developed by students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that will be raced at the 2017 Formula Sun Grand Prix, and in a robotic arm being designed as part of an exhibit by the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, just to name a few.

Since the beginning, business owners Steve and Maureen Hassett have sought the advice of Brad Swanson, Maine SBDC Business Advisor located at Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI). Swanson helped the pair create a vision for the company. This vision sustained them through extremely tough economic times and the diversification of their products and services. His encouragement helped them to believe in their success. Swanson has spent nearly 300 hours working to help the Hassett’s start and grow their business, working with them on a range of issues to ensure their business ran profitably and smoothly.

Steve Hassett, CCTI With a goal of reaching $1 million in sales in the coming year, Swanson helped develop strategies and goals to achieve this. The company recently received an award from the Institute for Family-Owned Business for excellence in family involvement, business success and commitment to employees, customers and community. They company also won an Innovation award in 2016 from the Manufacturers Association of Maine for their diversification of products. CCTI is in a prime position to achieve their goals, as many manufactures look to get away from heavier materials such as metal and invest in durable, lightweight and easily malleable composites.

For more on this unique Maine company, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

Quality Saw & Supply • 105 Restaurant & Lounge – West Enfield, Maine

Michael Brasslett, owner of Quality Saw & Supply in West Enfield, was sent to Business Advisor Tom Gallant by his banker in 2008. Specializing in the repair of saw blades and catering to Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Quality Saw was struggling financially – sawmills were closings, sales were down, business was slow, debts were mounting up and there was no cash. Four employees relied on him, and his business.

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