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.
With two young sons at home, a traditional 9 to 5 was not realistic for his family. Buying an established stump grinding business allowed him to build on an existing reputation while shaping a schedule that works for his household. He values working outdoors and seeing each job through from start to finish, though he recognizes that hiring and retaining part time help may be a challenge as the business grows.
Chris reached out to Maine SBDC after a friend recommended the service. He was preparing to purchase the existing business and needed guidance navigating the process. Through his work with Business Advisor Jon Janson, Chris developed a business plan and financial projections to secure financing through Atlantic Regional FCU for the equipment purchase, including a stump grinder, trailer, and truck.
Chris came into the process with strong technical skills but little experience in business ownership. Jon helped him understand what steps to focus on at each phase so he could move forward with confidence. As Chris shared, “Jon helped me to navigate what was important in what phase of the process so I could keep my energy focused where it needed to be.”
With financing secured and training support from the previous owners, Chris officially took over Sylvester Stump Grinding and stayed busy through the fall completing jobs already on the schedule. He continues to build on the company’s strong word of mouth reputation and plans to be fully ramped up for the spring season.
Chris sees steady demand in the future for stump removal across the region. He plans to continue delivering reliable, professional service while building a business that supports his growing family. Reflecting on his experience, he describes his advisor as “incredibly friendly and an asset for any person looking for advice on breaking down the process for someone like me with no prior knowledge of anything with business.”