Blog

Gillies Law – Portland

Gillies Law logoJennifer Gillies completed her law degree at the University of Maine before dedicating nearly 10 years to serving Maine’s immigrant community as an immigration attorney at a local firm. During her time at the University, Jennifer was introduced to immigration law through the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic, igniting her passion for assisting asylum seekers and individuals navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.Read More

MainelyNP Primary Care – South Portland

Amy Brown, a dedicated nurse practitioner from South Portland, Maine, has always been passionate about healthcare. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she dreamed of providing more personalized and comprehensive care to her patients. This dream led her to establish MainelyNP Primary Care, a direct primary care practice offering a subscription-based model that allows for more meaningful patient interactions and better healthcare outcomes.
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Maine Coast Creamery – Winslow

Maine Coast Creamery logoOriginally from Haiti, Ismael Thadal immigrated to Maine in 2007. He met Molly Hodgkins, a Maine native, in 2014, and they bonded over their shared love of ice cream. Ismael and Molly began making ice cream at home, working on perfecting their unique recipes with the help of friends, family, and community members who served as eager taste testers. To deepen his knowledge, Ismael took an Ice Cream 101 course at Penn State, which helped him understand the complexities of manufacturing high-quality ice cream.Read More

Countryside Kids Childcare – Hiram

Countryside KidsKaren Bachelder established Countryside Kids Childcare, a home-based daycare in Hiram, in 2020. After two years in operation and with several families on her waitlist, she recognized an opportunity to expand to better serve the growing needs of her community and support more families needing childcare. She envisioned relocating to a new building that would allow her to increase her capacity from 12 to 60 children. Read More

Dreamer Food – Bangor

Business Owner Anik Derphilibossian sitting in front of her food truck Dreamer FoodAnik Derphilibossian is a Registered Nurse (RN), Armenian-born & raised in Lebanon, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 2021. She found herself missing the flavors and food of her homeland. With a love for cooking and encouragement from her fellow nurse and best friend Kara, Anik started sharing her culinary creations –  first with friends and then with the wider community. Thus marked the beginning of Anik’s business, Dreamer Foods. It started as a pop-up restaurant operating one day a week at a shared location, and within months, the public fell in love with her Armenian and Lebanese dishes. Read More

Intro to Using ChatGPT in Your Small Business

Decorative image with computer and AI chat screen.For small business owners, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) can be a game-changer. Among the various AI tools available, ChatGPT stands out as an accessible and helpful tool. ChatGPT specializes in generating text and having human-like conversations. It can assist with various tasks, including writing, brainstorming, planning, and more. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can integrate ChatGPT into your business operations to enhance efficiency, save time, and stay ahead of the competition.

AI: A Tool, Not a Threat

It’s essential to address some common misconceptions about AI. Many worried it will replace human jobs. However, the reality is that AI is a tool designed to augment human capabilities, not replace them. Think of it like power tools in construction: if you don’t know how to use them, you might fall behind. Similarly, understanding AI and how to use it effectively can give you a significant edge in your business.

Important Considerations

decorative image with words "Important" to note important considerations when using AIWhile ChatGPT is a powerful tool, there are some important considerations to keep in mind:

  • Verify Information: Always double-check the accuracy of the information generated by ChatGPT, especially when it comes to data and factual content.
  • Avoid Plagiarism: Be cautious of directly copying and pasting generated content. Use it as a guide and make necessary edits to ensure originality.
  • Privacy and Confidentiality: Do not input sensitive or confidential information, as ChatGPT uses input data to improve its responses.
  • Regular Updates: AI technology evolves rapidly. Stay updated with the latest developments and features offered by OpenAI to ensure you’re making the most of ChatGPT.

Practical Applications for Small Businesses

Here are some practical ways small businesses can use ChatGPT:

1. Marketing and Communication:

  •  Social Media Posts: Generate engaging social media content tailored to your brand voice.
  •  Blog Writing: Overcome writer’s block by using ChatGPT to draft blog posts or create outlines. For instance, this blog was written with the help of ChatGPT based on a recent Maine SBDC webinar!
  • Customer Personas: Develop detailed customer personas to better understand and target your audience.

2. Ideation and Brainstorming:

    • Business Names and Taglines: Get creative suggestions for business names, taglines, and slogans.
    • Product Descriptions: Write compelling product descriptions that highlight key features and benefits.

    3. Planning and Operations:

    • Job Descriptions: Create clear and concise job descriptions to attract the right talent.
    • Project Timelines: Develop detailed project timelines and to-do lists to keep your team on track.
    • Business Plans: Assist in rephrasing or expanding on elements of your business plan, use it to draft sections which you can then edit to ensure it’s realistic and in your brand’s voice.

    4. Customer Interaction:

    • Email Templates: Generate professional email templates for various scenarios, from client onboarding to follow-up communications.
    • FAQs: Create a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions and responses to improve customer service.

      Conclusion

      Integrating ChatGPT into your small business can provide numerous benefits, from enhancing marketing efforts to streamlining operations. By understanding how to use this AI tool effectively, you can improve efficiency, save time, and ultimately drive growth. Remember, AI is a tool designed to assist you, not replace you. Embrace it, learn how to leverage its capabilities, and stay ahead in the competitive business landscape.

      This blog was written with the assistance of ChatGPT based on the transcripts of a recent Maine SBDC webinar. You can view that full webinar here.

      Woof Daycare & Boarding – Glenburn

      Woof Daycare & Boarding LogoPeter Richmond has always been passionate about dogs. When he learned that a well-established dog-focused business was on the market, he saw it as the perfect chance to pursue his dreams. For guidance, his bank recommended he work with the Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC).Read More

      Eido Bar Company – Winslow

      Eido Bar Company LogoRochelle Albert has spent years honing her craft in bartending and catering, learning the ins and outs of creating memorable experiences and delicious cocktails. In 2023, her priorities shifted significantly when she gave birth to her son. As a single mother, she wanted to find a way to be with her son full-time and provide for her family in a meaningful way. This is why she started Eido Bar Company. Read More

      4Health Family Medicine – Windham

      4Health Family Medicine Logo Su-Anne Hammond is a lifelong Mainer who has spent the last 20 years providing primary care to families in Southern Maine. She has always prioritized creating genuine doctor-patient relationships that allow her to treat the whole person. She envisioned opening her own private practice that would offer affordable, accessible, and direct care to patients. This is why she founded 4Health Family Medicine in Windham, offering a refreshing alternative to the conventional healthcare system. Read More

      Ferda Farms – Brunswick

      Ferda Farms LogoEstablished in 2018, Ferda Farms is an oyster farm nestled along the picturesque New Meadows River in Brunswick. Committed to sustainable and responsible farming practices, Ferda Farms specializes in cultivating fresh, high-quality Bombazine Oysters that capture the essence of the pristine Maine waters. Business owners Maxwell Burtis and his father Chris are experienced mariners with a deep-rooted connection to Maine’s working waterfront and coastal environment.Read More