If you’ve ever visited Camden you’ll know there is a little something for everyone, food, shopping and outdoor adventures! It also has the only ocean view from a ski area on the Eastern Seaboard at Camden Snow Bowl! Another thing you’ll only find at Camden Snow Bowl, Snow Dogs! Jason Doppelt’s food stand opened last winter and was a “frying” success and now he’s gearing up for another season! Read More
Snow Dogs – Camden
Black Bear Mobile Maintenance – Harrison
Jonathan Daggett of Black Bear Mobile Maintenance is a military veteran with the ability to repair everything from small engines to helicopters! Through his years of working experience at a tractor repair shop, he saw an opportunity to (quite literally) serve customers where they are at. Read More
Campfire Booking – Windham
While the Covid-19 pandemic caused a large-scale economic disruption for most small businesses, it also fueled a historic surge in entrepreneurship. According to the US Census Bureau, new business starts in 2021 were the highest on record, surpassing the previous record set in 2020.
For good friends Mandy Caruso and Ashley Hanson, the pandemic provided the impetus they needed to leave their careers in teaching and disability insurance. Combined with a background in hotel revenue management they knew they could follow their dream of opening a vacation rental business in the Lakes region of Maine. As homeowners and real estate investors on Sebago Lake themselves, Mandy and Ashley each bring a deep knowledge of the area and an understanding of the level of service that homeowners are looking for from a rental management company. Their value proposition is to offer a more modern and tech-focused marketing and management program, along with a higher level of hands-on service than is currently being offered by competitors in the area. Read More
Breggia Sanitation – Portland
Gino Breggia approached the Maine SBDC in July of 2021 seeking financial advice to be able to open his own sanitation business. A Portland native, Gino moved out of state to explore career opportunities. He spent time in New York, where he got his introduction to the world’s largest sanitation department, before spending many years in California. Upon his return home to Maine, Gino saw an opportunity to create a more customer service-friendly sanitation business, with a focus specifically on the construction and restaurant industries. Read More
Maine Adventure Co. – Brunswick
Trevar & David Haefele are a father/son team with a passion for the outdoors and a desire to increase sustainable accessibility to the natural beauty Maine has to offer. With diverse life experience in leadership, personal development, and coaching, both Trevar & David are in an excellent position to bring their passion to others. Read More
Retro Roadtripper – Kennebunk
Joshua Hrehovcik the photographer behind Retro Roadtripper, a photography and media company, reached out to the Maine SBDC for help marketing his business. He connected with Maine SBDC Business Advisor Anne Lancaster, who covers York County, and together they discussed his business plan and whether or not the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) would be a good fit for him. Read More
Rhona Beauty – Biddeford
Rhona Johnson Deah saw an unmet need in the marketplace when she couldn’t find on-trend beauty services specifically designed for style-conscious ethnic women in Maine. With this in mind, she left her job as a medical technician, apprenticed with several beauty salons, and obtained her full cosmetology license in 2021. She started her business by renting space in a Westbrook salon, but her dream was to open a business of her own where women of color could feel understood and appreciated. Read More
Little Mainer – Yarmouth
After retiring from teaching in 2020, Kathie Bradeen started using her crafting skills to print Maine-themed designs on toddler and babywear. She wanted an alternative to the ubiquitous “touristy” designs printed on low-quality clothing, to give as gifts to the babies and toddlers in her life. Frustrated by the lack of options she was finding, she saw a need in the marketplace and Little Mainer was born! A successful business must always address a need or solve a problem in the marketplace, and Kathie found her niche. Read More
Martin’s Service and Sales – Andover
Tracy and Joe Greenwood are a dynamic duo and were excited at the opportunity to purchase Martin’s Service and Sales. With Tracy’s business skills and Joe’s mechanical skills, they hoped to win over Martin’s regulars and grow the decades-old business to its full capacity in 2022. Maine SBDC at CEI Business Advisor Alison Lane came into the fold to help traverse the transition and clean up the financials under new ownership. Read More
Skipper Services – Portland
For 20 years Phillip Browne has been on the water, between sailing and lobstering, he has developed a deep love for the ocean and the way of life here in Maine. For years he’s watched the same routine boat tours and imagined a day when he could offer customizable experiences to others who wanted to see the coast he had come to know and love. Slowly Maine Coast Cruising (MCC) came together, first as a dream, then an idea, and eventually a plan which became an actualized business! Read More