Monthly Archives: June 2021

Maine Fly Company – North Yarmouth

Maine Fly Company Logo with fishing reel and mountains surrounding the name - small batch rods built in Maine since 2018

Jeff Davis had one goal in mind to celebrate his late father: to share his passion for Maine’s fly fishing culture. Jeff wanted to provide high-quality, affordable small batch rods that are carefully crafted to reflect the beauty of Maine’s waterways. Since opening in 2019, Jeff and his team have experienced promising growth and have… Read more »

Sarah Brandon Art – Steuben

Sarah Brandon hand lettering the name Smoke on the back of a boat

Sarah Brandon moved to Maine over 30 years ago, inspired by Maine’s beauty and strong art community. She knew this was the perfect location to fulfill her artist aspirations. Sarah specializes in the traditional hand lettering for custom boats and small signs. She also creates watercolor paintings, unique durable floor cloths, cards, and many other… Read more »

Tips to Navigating the Labor Shortage

Hiring Sign

You are not alone. The labor shortage has been crippling for small businesses across Maine. While the crisis is not new, the pandemic has amplified the problem. There is a variety of contributing factors to the labor situation including the availability of childcare, housing, and foreign workers. While nearly 7 out of 10 pandemic job… Read more »

Shore Path Cottage – Bar Harbor

Shore Path Cottage Building at night with glowing widows lit from within

Shore Path Cottage is located on the coastline in Bar Harbor overlooking Frenchman’s bay and less than two miles from Acadia National Park. They offer one the most comfortable and scenic B&B’s in the State of Maine. Roberta Chester has maintained the history of the 1880 building while incorporating innovations and modernization for her guests…. Read more »

Expose Design LLC – Portland

Expose Design Logo - globe like shape with and e in the center Expose Design around half and splattered design scattering on the other side, below are words Creation Starts Here

Since 2008, Victor Rios and his business Expose Design LLC has provided small businesses with customized marketing solutions that help them grow. Expose Design offers all things marketing including graphic design, logo creation, print work, embroidery, screen-printing, and promotional content creation. Like most small businesses, Expose Design took a financial hit during the pandemic. This… Read more »

Better Living Center – Farmington

Wayne Drake had a unique opportunity, to purchase and take over the business where he began his professional career. When Wayne was a teenager, he worked at Better Living Center, an organic, whole food store located in Farmington Maine. He not only assisted with customer service duties but helped with bookkeeping, payroll, and ordering supplies…. Read more »

Lessons Learned:  Weathering the Financial Storm

Weathering the Financial Storm

By Tina Oddleifson The first in a series of blog posts of what the small business community learned from Covid 19 Economic downturns have been a regular but painful part of small business ownership. Yet unlike other recessions, Covid 19 hit Main Street businesses first and hit them hardest. When it comes to financing your… Read more »

Lessons Learned – A Series

Lessons Learned

By Tina Oddleifson Over the last 16 months, Maine small business owners were put to the test by a global pandemic. Over the next few months, the SBDC will offer a series of articles focused on the lessons learned from one of the most challenging years in our collective history. Look for posts on how… Read more »