View our August 2016 Newsletter (PDF download)
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In this update: Award Winner Announced * Online Business Resources Available * Meet an Advisor * Meet a Partner
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 The Maine SBDC has selected Christine Long as the 2016 State Star. The award, given annually, recognizes a member of the Maine SBDC staff that has shown exemplary performance and a strong commitment to small business success.“Chris is a tremendous asset to the Maine SBDC program. Always kind and helpful, Chris is the quiet one working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the program provides consistent and superior services to our clients statewide,” said Maine SBDC State Director Mark Delisle.
Long is an administrative manager at the Maine SBDC at the University of Southern Maine (USM) in Portland. She has been with the Maine SBDC for 27 years and oversees the USM business advising center providing assistance to clients and business advisors. In addition, she manages all online requests for business advising and provides administrative, procedural and program support to the lead office and business advisors across the state.
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We have a ton of helpful information to assist your business:
Business Planning: This area features a helpful business plan outline, business plan guidelines, sample business plan and more! Click here to view more.
Financing, Taxes and Bookkeeping: This area features key information on getting your business financed including “funding first steps” and information on the different sources of funding. Click here to view more.
 Marketing & Sales: This area of the site provides resources that offer sample marketing plans, tips on working with social media, and ways to expand your business with exporting and working with the government. Click here to view more.
Operations & Management: This area highlights a few of the key areas in operating and managing your business including implementing internal controls, healthcare and information on hiring employees. Click here to view more.
Tools and templates: This area features key tools that
serve as examples or templates. Included are a Startup Checklist, Schedule of Liabilities, Cash Flow, Break Even Analysis, Balance Sheet and more! Click here to view more.
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Maine SBDC Business Advisor since 1992
Territory: Sagadahoc, Kennebec and upper Cumberland County
Offices in: Augusta, Brunswick
Brad works directly with small business owners and managers on matters relating to business startup, expansion and survival. Brad specializes in strategic planning, organizational development, and industries such as boat building, marine services and composite manufacturing.
Brad is a strategic thinker and is incredibly proud of his clients and the work they do together. His past clients include JAI Software, Peapod Jewlery and Redd. For more information on Brad including his bio, click here. Or to connect with a business advisor closer to you, click here.
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At the Maine SBDC, we consider ourselves the hub of an entrepreneur or small business’ journey through self-employment. Part of our success is knowing the many resources available to you — to connect you to the resources that can help your business succeed. Understanding the different resources available to your business can be really confusing, and we want to help. We will introduce one of our many partners each month as part of our regular newsletters.
 Today we’ll introduce to you New Ventures Maine (NVME), formerly the Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community. What does NVME do? They help Maine people succeed in their jobs, businesses and communities. Mainly, they offer programs focusing on helping individuals build their career, start a business, manage their money and become a leader in their community.
How can they help you/your business? They have in-person and online entrepreneurship training and workshops. They help you figure out if starting a business is for you by outlining what goes into owning/operating a business. Particularly noteworthy is their New Ventures program – a 60-hour course focusing on all aspects of business planning. At the end of the program, students have a completed business plan. Is there a cost? No – NVME’s programs are offered free of charge.
For more information, click here to visit their site or give them a call at 800-442-2092.
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