Posts By: Jennifer Boutin

Reflections on a Challenging Year

 By: Brad Swanson, Business Advisor For many small businesses, 2020 was a year that started with promise and great potential for continued growth and success. As we reflect on the year, it is very easy to get caught up in thoughts about the world health crisis that swept into our lives in March. In particular,… Read more »

Why *YOU* should shop small this holiday season

By: Jennifer Boutin, Maine SBDC Maine would not be the same without the small businesses that make our communities unique, or without the hardworking business owners who create jobs for our families, friends and neighbors. Small businesses are the core of our economy, making up over 99% of businesses in Maine.  And, these small businesses… Read more »

How to Survive and Thrive this Holiday Season

By: Maine SBDC Business Advisor Alison Lane  As we close the year with the same uncertainty that plagued our Spring, Summer, and Fall, small business owners hope to capitalize on the season that is “merry and bright”.  However, changes to consumer behavior, recovering markets, and the scars from many rough months make the success of… Read more »

What If Someone Tests Positive

With the amount of time the Coronavirus has endured, business owners might have started asking themselves not if a positive case will occur in their business, but when. On the occasion where someone has become infected, it is important to know where to look and what to do. Fortunately, there is guidance out there to… Read more »

Hero’s Pizza & Breakfast – Skowhegan, Maine

Derek DeFelice is a decorated Purple Heart veteran and owner of Hero’s Pizza & Breakfast in Skowhegan. Derek and his wife Aaron have worked hard to build this local pizzeria since they purchased it in 2018. Through long hours and sheer determination, they have rebranded and remodeled the restaurant, increase sales, and hired new staff.

Getting Started with QuickBooks

By: Christina Oddleifson, Maine SBDC Business Advisor  Covid 19 has made it more important than ever for small businesses to have up to date information about their financial performance. If the Covid 19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that small businesses with up to date and accurate financial information have fared better than those… Read more »

How and When to Hire Professional Help – For Maine Small Businesses

By: Christina Oddleifson, Maine SBDC Business Advisor  Finding the right professionals to advise you is an important step for a small business owner.  Understanding what services are worth paying for and what things you can do “on your own” is different for everyone. At some point, however, you will probably need the advice of someone… Read more »

What You Need to Know About Cybersecurity

By: Keenan Hendricks, Maine SBDC Intern, based on Basics to Cyber-Securing Your Business Webinar by Business Advisors Brandon McDonald & Jared Tapley. As your business grows its daily operations and overall presence on the web, you must ensure that you are informed about the basics of Cybersecurity for your small business. It is easy for… Read more »

Literacy Tech Inc. DBA ReMo – Lewiston, Maine

Michelle DeBlois and Kathryn Lariviere, both full-time middle school teachers, tri-founded LiteracyTech, Inc. with Peter Janett, a web application developer in December 2019.  Their vision was to create a web-based application that would bring educators and students together in the independent reading process. The app, which they named ReMo, streamlines the cumbersome and obsolete data… Read more »

Understanding Your Customer: Using Market Research to Ensure and Shape your Future

By: Madeleine Lutts, Maine SBDC Intern Since everyday life and the general business landscape have changed dramatically for almost all of us this year, most consumers are acting and behaving differently in at least one way. If you think about your shopping habits, and whether or not your shopping experiences have changed in the recent… Read more »