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
Integrity Services of Maine – Poland, Maine
Custom Composite Technologies, Inc. – Bath, Maine
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.
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.
Crooked Face Creamery – Norridgewock
Amy Rowbottom has had her share of ups and downs as a business owner. She first opened Crooked Face Creamery located in Norridgewock in 2012 making specialty whole milk cheese with milk from the farm that she grew up on. But even the best written business plan can prepare us for some of life’s challenges. After weathering these challenges, she turned to Business Advisor Janet Roderick for assistance in re-booting her business.Read More
International Resource Center – Portland, Maine
Paul Okot’s International Resource Center (IRC) in Portland offers high quality, timely language services such as translation, interpretation and tutoring. The services help people with things like job applications, medical appointments, immigration documents and more. His business has provided interpretation in places such as courtrooms, in hospitals, home visits, and group sessions.
Okot came to the Maine SBDC for business advising on marketing and promoting his business, and was paired with Business Advisor Tom Leach. Together, they’ve worked for two years, meeting regularly to discuss marketing IRC and continually developing his business to increase his sales.Read More
Howell’s Indoor Range & Gunshop – Gray, Maine
Adam Copp had big plans to expand Howell’s Indoor Range & Gun Shop. He wanted to double the size of the local gun retail shop through the addition of a state of the art indoor shooting range and an expansion of its retail showroom. Copp approached a credit union for financing, who liked the opportunity to help the business, and referred him to Maine SBDC Certified Master Business Advisor Brad Swanson to help him solidify his business plan and assess the feasibility of the concept.Read More
Client Highlight: Big Machias Lake Camps, LLC in Ashland, ME
If you call and schedule a hunting trip with Big Machias Lake Camps, LLC dba: Oxbow Outfitters, LLC (BMLC) you likely won’t notice a difference because Jeff Lavway, the new owner of BMLC, is the same person who has been managing the day to day operations of the business for the past two years. On May 30th, Lavway officially purchased the business from Jeff O’Connor of Pennsylvania. Lavway has worked as a licensed Maine Guide since 2005 operating his own company, Northern Experience Guide Service in Gardner Creek from 2005-2013. Upon selling his business Lavway went to work for BMLC, starting out as a guide and expanding his role each year until 2015 when he took over the operation of the business.Read More
Dancing Jaguar Inspirations, LLC. – Waterville, Maine
By: Business Owner Eva Goulette
Eva Goulette is the owner of Dancing Jaguar Inspirations, which seeks to empower children to connect to their authentic selves through a mix of ancient traditions, nature experiences, and modern holistic techniques. They host a five-day summer program for children ages 5-10, which offers a myriad of ways to explore, express and honor Spirit. For more info, visit Dancing Jaguar Inspirations or follow them on Facebook!
In January of 2017, my company, Dancing Jaguar Inspirations, LLC received a loan in the amount of $5,000 to be paid back over an extended period of time. I have no doubt that the reason I received the loan is because of all of the work I have done with Janet Roderick over the past two years.
Janet helped me focus on my business plan, to really understand the scope of what I was trying to birth into the world, and gently guided me when my vision was starting to steer off course. With her constant attention to detail and my passion for the work I do, we have created a strong team to continue taking the steps necessary to develop and maintain a successful business.Read More
KV Tooling Systems, LLC – Augusta, Maine
By: Business Owner Brian Beland
Brian Beland is the owner of KV Tooling Systems located in Augusta, Maine. KV Tooling Systems provides the finest quality carbide cutting tools and sharpening services to manufacturing companies throughout New England. For more information, visit their website!
I started my cutting tool manufacturing business in 2001 in my basement with zero revenue. Brad was there right form the start to encourage me and help me to manage and grow. Since then, we have moved to our own facility in the Kennebec Valley, grown to 5 employees and $500K in annual revenue. Working with Brad has been extremely helpful to me since I did not have any previous business and financial management experience. I now have the confidence and expertise to continue to grow and thrive here in Central Maine. With SBDC we are ready to take it to the next level! I don’t know where we would be without SBDC and Brad!
I can recall working with Brian from the start when he was in the basement and his wife’s day care was upstairs – he had a vision of what he wanted to do and the determination and drive to make it happen. Hard to believe that he has trusted me to help him grow for 16 years – that’s amazing! – Brad Swanson, Maine SBDC Business Advisor
Client Highlight: Maine Milling, LLC – Blue Hill, Maine
WHAT IS OLD IS NEW AGAIN:
Foster and Loretta Smith of Blue Hill are fourth generation Mainers. Their family business Maine Milling, LLC was born recently when they purchased from a retired woodsman a radial mill that makes clapboards in the “old style.” Clapboards from this mill were used in the Paul Revere House in Boston when it was recently restored.