Katie Prestridge opened Aura & Hue in Turner to build the kind of salon experience she felt was missing: a calm, private studio where clients can decompress while receiving vivid color work and nail services. Located inside the Skin Hub, Aura & Hue operates as a personal suite within a larger beauty collective, giving clients the option to pair salon services with other self-care appointments in the same building.Read More
Aura & Hue – Turner
Sand Island Marine Construction – Friendship
Douglas Blasius launched Sand Island Marine Construction in Friendship to deliver pile driving and marine construction services across Midcoast Maine, including dock and pier construction, shoreline stabilization, and barge-based crane support. A Maine Maritime Academy graduate with an engineering background, Blasius spotted the opportunity after building his own wharf and realizing there was demand for a locally based operator that could respond quickly and reliably on the water.Read More
Sylvester Stump Grinding – Durham
Chris Bean purchased Sylvester Stump Grinding in Durham to create more flexibility for his young family while continuing to earn an income doing hands-on work he enjoys. A lifelong Mainer, Chris brings more than a decade of experience in artificial turf and landscape installation, along with 12 years in mechanical maintenance, to his stump removal business serving residential and commercial customers across the Midcoast region.Read More
Aomori Restaurant and Market – Portland
Reo Miyake opened Aomori Restaurant and Market in Portland as the next chapter in his family’s long history in Maine’s restaurant industry. Located on Hanover Street, the restaurant and market bring together traditional Japanese cuisine and specialty goods through a shared family vision.Read More
Honey Bee Healing Hive, Yoga, and Wellness – Auburn
Melissa St. Pierre opened Honey Bee Healing Hive, Yoga and Wellness in Auburn to bring together modern psychology and the ancient practice of yoga. After years of academic and professional work in psychology and education, she found her personal wellness practice through yoga, and decided to share that experience with others. Now, she is expanding her offerings to include workplace wellness consulting alongside her growing yoga studio.Read More
Emily Carle FNP Mobile Direct Primary Care – Freeport
Emily Carle launched her mobile direct primary care practice in Freeport to reimagine healthcare delivery. With over 20 years of healthcare experience, including work as a medical missionary, EMT, ER nurse, forensic nurse, and now as a nurse practitioner, she knew she wanted to build something different. She envisioned a model rooted in authenticity, community focus, and genuine care, bringing healthcare back to what it simply is: health and care.Read More
Timber Candle Bar & Boutique – Caribou
Located on Route 1 in Caribou, Timber Candle Bar & Boutique is redefining retail in Northern Maine by blending handcrafted home fragrance products with immersive, experience-based retail.Read More
Twinkle Time Cleaning – Millinocket
Elizabeth Pio launched Twinkle Time Cleaning in Millinocket to create the kind of opportunity she once struggled to find herself. In recovery for over a decade, she overcame significant personal challenges to rebuild her life. Today, she uses that experience to support others through employment and compassionate service.Read More
Lynne Stewart Designs – Kennebunk
Lynne Stewart operates Lynne Stewart Designs, a custom sewing workroom based in Kennebunk that blends fine home décor craftsmanship with imaginative soft-sculpture creations. With a BFA in Textiles from the Rhode Island School of Design and over 2 decades of experience, Lynne balances her days between client commissions—cushions, pillows, and window treatments—and a line of fabric sculptures crafted from upcycled materials.Read More
Factory 3 – Portland
In 2019, Patrick Walker Russell opened Factory 3 in Portland’s Libbytown neighborhood with a bold vision: to create a makerspace that would lower the barriers to entrepreneurship for artists, artisans, and tradespeople. Located in a 4,400-square-foot warehouse on Saint James Street, Factory 3 provides tools, training, and workspace for woodworking, welding, sewing, 3D printing, and more. For a monthly fee, members gain access to specialized equipment, private studios, and a collaborative community designed to help them turn ideas into businesses.Read More