Success Stories

Client Success Stories

Buoy Pops – Harpswell

Anne and Pete Taylor started Buoy Pops in Harpswell after a simple idea sparked something bigger. When the couple mused about why there was not already a lollipop shaped like a lobster buoy, they saw the potential and decided to build a business around it. Today, Buoy Pops hand makes chocolate lollipops shaped like little lobster buoys, creating a product that reflects both creativity and coastal Maine.

Anne and Pete have lived in Maine for over 20 years and love all things related to the water and food, which makes the business a natural fit for their lives and interests. Anne also values the day-to-day experience of running the company with her husband, Manager Shira Ruppert, and a team of seasonal helpers. Together, they have built a close-knit team that shares the same enthusiasm and attention to detail, while constantly exchanging ideas to help the business grow.

Before launching, Anne wanted to be sure the concept was viable, scalable, and sound. That led her to the Maine SBDC, where Business Advisor Christine Cole helped her think through the fundamentals of starting and growing the business. She worked with Anne on what makes a product sellable, how to approach growth at the right pace, and how to build a strong foundation for operations. She also connected Anne with helpful resource people and encouraged her to attend the New England Made Show, a step Anne says helped put Buoy Pops on the map. Anne also received support from SCORE on nondisclosure agreements and financial spreadsheets.

Anne describes Chris as “thoughtful, encouraging, and supremely helpful.” She also says, “Having a knowledgeable person to advise you as you start a business is the only way to do it.”

Since opening, Buoy Pops has continued to gain wholesale and retail customers while improving efficiency, creating strong systems, and building the purchasing power to buy in bulk and secure better discounts. With a growing network and a clear direction, Anne sees a strong future ahead for the company. As Buoy Pops continues to expand, she is focused on steady growth, strong teamwork, and making a distinctly Maine product that connects with more customers every year.

For more about Anne and Pete’s business, head to their website, Facebook, and Instagram pages!

Farmington Food Co-op – Farmington

Amber Stone helped lead the transition of the Farmington Food Co-op when the longtime natural foods store was put up for sale, helping preserve a business that has served the downtown Farmington community since 1973. A Farmington native, Amber returned to the area in her late 20s and now serves as the co-op’s interim general manager, guiding the big picture work behind a community owned store with nearly 500 members.

When the former owner listed the business for sale, local supporters organized, incorporated as the Farmington Food Co-op, and officially purchased it in April 2026. The goal was clear: to continue the store’s long history of providing locally produced, organic, and natural foods to the community. Keeping that legacy going meant more than maintaining operations. It also meant building a strong foundation for the co-op’s future.

As the group worked through the purchase and organizing process, they turned to Maine SBDC for guidance. Business Advisor Dion helped the co-op team closely review financials and develop a projected budget, a key step as they prepared to move forward with the transition. He also helped the team stay organized and confident as they worked through the many details involved in purchasing and operating the business.

“Dion was a guiding light for us,” Amber said.

That support came at an important moment. Amber described small business ownership as rewarding and demanding, especially while helping steward such a historic business through change. One of the most meaningful parts of the work has been hearing from community members who are excited about what the co-op has accomplished so far and grateful to see the business continue.

The co-op also received important support from CEI and the Cooperative Maine Business Alliance during the process, adding to the network that helped make the transition possible.

Looking ahead, the Farmington Food Co-op team are focused on growth. The business is already feeling the limits of its current location, and the vision is to keep building on the strong community support behind it. The experience has also reinforced the importance of seeking help along the way. “We can’t do this work alone, so it’s crucial that we lean on those that are here to support us.”

For more about Farmington Food Co-op, check out their website, Facebook, and Instagram!

Keepsake Bridal – Thomaston

Olivia Luedee opened Keepsake Bridal in Thomaston after returning home to Midcoast Maine. She had nearly a decade of bridal industry experience and a clear vision for a boutique that felt personal, distinctive, and rooted in care. After years in the wedding world, and after going through the dress shopping process as a bride herself, Olivia saw an opportunity to bring something different to the region.Read More

Skills for Life – South Portland

Dr. Ashley St. John and Dr. Nicole Heal founded Skills for Life to address a critical need for early childhood special education services in southern Maine. Their South Portland preschool provides specialized education and early intervention for young children with developmental disabilities.

Nicole
Ashley

Both founders brought extensive experience to the venture. Nicole has worked in behavior analysis, linical leadership, research, and professional training. Ashley holds a doctorate in developmental psychology and is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with experience developing clinical systems and supporting staff. The two previously worked together at a special purpose private school, where Nicole served as Ashley’s mentor.

Ashley and Nicole wanted to create a preschool where they could utilize their combined skills and knowledge to ensure that every student received compassionate, evidence-based instruction. Building the organization from the ground up was rewarding, but it also meant taking responsibility for financial planning, funding, operations, and every other part of the launch.

Ashley contacted Maine SBDC after her husband recommended the program through a personal connection. Business Advisor Peter Harriman helped the founders examine their financial projections, revise their pro formas, and explore different funding models. His ongoing availability also gave them confidence as new questions emerged.

“SBDC was so instrumental. Knowing that Peter was there to answer our questions and meet when things came up was such a feeling of security,” Ashley said.

This financial preparation became especially valuable when Skills for Life was ready to pursue financing. Peter helped Ashley and Nicole refine their projections so they could approach the loan process with clear, well-supported numbers. Skills for Life ultimately worked with CEI to secure its loan. The founders also participated in CEI’s Child Care Lab, which provided additional resources for launching the preschool.

“When it came time to applying for a loan, we were 100% ready to go,” Ashley said.

Skills for Life plans to open its doors to students in Fall 2026 and eventually serve 36 children at its South Portland building. The preschool and its mission were also featured on News Center Maine in July 2026 as Ashley and Nicole prepared for the opening. They remain focused on providing high-quality education, supporting their staff, and building a program that gives young children the individualized services they need.

They are currently accepting applications for new students! To learn more or enroll, reach out to Ashley (ashley.stjohn@skillsforlifemaine.com) or Nicole (nicole.heal@skillsforlifemaine.com) or call 207-248-8517.

For more about Ashley and Nicole’s business, check out their website!

Turning Tides – Biddeford

Aubrey Jane launched Turning Tides Ocean Education in 2025 to give people more opportunities to learn directly from environmental scientists while exploring Maine’s coast. A marine biologist specializing in the ecology and physiology of marine invertebrates, Aubrey saw an opportunity to help people appreciate the smaller species that are often overlooked in favor of whales, sharks, and other large marine animals.

Through Turning Tides, Aubrey offers private guided tide pooling experiences along the Maine coast, community events in Biddeford Pool, and educational programs developed with local businesses and organizations. As she prepared to launch the business, however, decisions about legal structure, insurance, banking, and other fundamentals began to slow her progress.

Aubrey connected with the Maine SBDC for guidance and began working with Business Advisor Anne. Anne helped her navigate the process of establishing the business, identify local banking and insurance resources, and develop tools for tracking growth and business goals. She has also kept Aubrey informed about relevant local ocean education opportunities.

Aubrey said, “Anne is deeply supportive, and I always feel more grounded and confident in my business when I meet with her.”

Since launching, Turning Tides transitioned to an LLC and has tide pooled with more than 100 people during summer 2026 alone. Several community tide pooling events sold out, and Turning Tides partnered with nine local businesses and nonprofits on a dozen ocean focused programs ranging from invasive species education to coastal retreats and beach cleanup events.

Aubrey has also begun offering consulting services. Her first consulting client, the Monhegan Museum, hired her to train a summer intern to lead guided tide pooling and to review a field guide for accuracy. Turning Tides was also named the best guided tour and rental company in Biddeford and Saco in the Portland Press Herald’s inaugural local awards.

Aubrey hopes to develop a model that allows other scientists to use the Turning Tides platform to offer additional ocean education experiences across Maine and, eventually, along the East Coast. With events already being booked for 2027, she is continuing to build toward a broader network of scientist-led coastal education.

For more about Aubrey’s business, head to her website, Facebook, or Instagram!

Heirloom Consignment – South Portland

Carlos Toledo purchased Heirloom Consignment in South Portland in November 2025, beginning a new career as the owner of a longtime Knightville neighborhood business. After spending two decades as a health scientist at the CDC, Carlos retired in April 2025 and began looking for a new challenge rooted in creativity and community.Read More

Gallery 35 – Westbrook

Jen and Julian Vance, owners of Gallery 35 in Westbrook, create laser engraved artwork ranging from layered wall décor and ornaments to bookmarks, maps, and custom pieces. What began as a creative experiment soon became a business.Read More

Ruff Pine Dog Treats – Waterboro

Emily and Nicholas Conley built Ruff Pine Dog Treats in Waterboro after deciding they wanted better ingredients for their own dogs, Willow and Blue. What began as homemade treats for their pets quickly grew when family and friends saw how much their dogs loved them, inspiring the couple to turn the idea into a business.Read More

Oh, Grow Up! – Bangor

After many years in the restaurant industry and a decade in an office job, Andy Day was ready to build something of his own and reconnect with the energy of downtown. He missed interacting with the public and being part of Downtown Bangor’s vibrant business community. After months of planning and preparation, Andy opened Oh, Grow Up!, a candy and novelty shop at 21 Central Street in Bangor, in January 2026.Read More