Dance Conservatory of Southern Maine – Sanford

Nikki Girroir spent years teaching, choreographing, and mentoring dancers, but she had always envisioned something more. When the opportunity arose to take over the studio where she had been working, Nikki saw a chance to fully step into her vision. Studio ownership would allow her to make both creative and strategic decisions and to build a space that truly reflected her values and voice.

To prepare for the transition, Nikki reached out to the Maine SBDC for guidance. She connected with Business Advisor Christina Oddleifson, whose support made a lasting impact.

“Christina was the best mentor I could have asked for: smart, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable,” Nikki says. “She taught me so much and is a huge reason I have this business today.”

Christina guided Nikki through every stage of the purchase process, from initial planning and negotiation to the final closing. The experience provided Nikki not only with a strong technical foundation but also a trusted source of encouragement during a major career shift.

“I have no doubt that Nikki will excel as a business owner,” Christina says. “She is smart, talented, and asks all the right questions. It’s been a pleasure working with her to make this happen.”

Now the proud owner of The Dance Conservatory of Southern Maine in Sanford, Nikki leads a thriving community that offers dance classes for children and fitness classes for adults, all taught with energy, intention, and a focus on growth. The guiding principle of Nikki’s studio is “Empowering every dancer, shaping every dream.”

This vision is reflected in every class, rehearsal, and performance under her direction. The studio is also Southern Maine’s leading competition studio, with a team that competes throughout New England. Nikki’s choreography has earned numerous awards and national recognition, setting a high standard of excellence for both technique and performance.

Still, Nikki is the first to acknowledge that owning a business comes with a learning curve, especially when it comes to managing finances, expenses, and payroll.

Looking ahead, she hopes to grow the studio to 300 students in the next five years. But beyond expanding enrollment, her deeper goal is to create a space where dancers of all levels can build confidence, discipline, and joy in their craft.

To others considering entrepreneurship, Nikki offers a strong endorsement of the Maine SBDC: “They are the best at mentoring and guiding—I would highly recommend them.”

For more about Nikki’s business, check out her Facebook, Instagram, and website!

Simply Breathe Therapy – Lewiston

After working in telehealth and seeing firsthand how deeply COVID affected people’s mental well-being, Annette Williams knew she wanted to do more. When a friend offered her space to expand her practice, she launched Simply Breathe Therapy, a Lewiston-based counseling and consulting agency focused on helping individuals across Maine work through both current and historical life challenges.

With a clear passion for health and healing, Annette was ready to grow, but navigating the financial side of business ownership felt daunting. She was referred to the Androscoggin Valley Council Of Governments (AVCOG) to explore funding and soon connected with Business Advisor Jon Janson.

Together, they revisited her original business plan and began shaping it into a tool for growth. Through that process, Annette was able to refine her vision and map out her next steps with greater clarity. “I had previously created a business plan, but once I had the input of the SBDC team, it was transformed into a beautiful, detailed piece of my business,” Annette reflected.

The updated plan helped her successfully secure a $15,000 microloan from AVCOG, which she used to invest in key infrastructure for supporting clients and preparing for the next stage of business.

Annette went on to share, “The support of the SBDC team has been profound for me. Trust was built right away as there were so many steps to getting my new business aligned to receive financial support. Someone was always connected to me along the way and I could always reach out. I felt heard while progressing through the paperwork.”

In addition to guidance from the SBDC, Annette worked with Norway Savings Bank and Bangor Savings Bank, both of which played a vital role in helping her establish a strong financial foundation.

Today, Simply Breathe Therapy is thriving. Revenue is outpacing projections, and Annette is preparing to bring on one to two additional therapists to meet rising demand. She continues to work with Jon on operational planning, including drafting a policy manual and preparing to expand services.

Reflecting on her journey, Annette values the flexibility and purpose that business ownership brings. “I appreciate being in control of my work life balance. Staying healthy is a priority for me!”

Now six years into living in Maine, she enjoys spending time on local trails, kayaking, and sea glass hunting with her husband and their dog, Murdock. She has also supported her community through difficult times, continuing her commitment to providing health and healing “one breath at a time” in the state she now calls home.

For more about Simply Breathe Therapy, check out their Facebook page and website!

The Belle of Belgrade – Belgrade

After just one visit to Belgrade Lakes, Lyndee Waldbauer knew she had found something special. That moment led to a cross-country move, and eventually, the launch of The Belle of Belgrade. The concierge-style business curates extraordinary experiences that celebrate the beauty, creativity, and calm of lakeside Maine living.Read More

Maine Names 2025 State Star

The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) has selected Christine Cole as the 2025 State Star. The award, given annually, recognizes a member of the Maine SBDC staff who has shown exemplary performance and a strong commitment to small business success.

Christine (Chris) Cole is a senior business advisor at the Maine SBDC at University of Southern Maine. She works with entrepreneurs and small business owners in Maine’s Cumberland County to start, sustain and grow their businesses. In the five years she has been with the Maine SBDC, she has spent approximately 4,000 hours advising almost 700 clients. She’s helped to start 44 businesses, create and save 241 jobs, and generate almost $13 million in capital. Read More

Café Luna – Falmouth

After living in Maine nearly 25 years, Juliann Joy identified a gap in the local dining scene and stepped up to fill it. She opened Café Luna on Route 1 in Scarborough in early 2024, creating a cozy spot for healthy breakfast and lunch options.Read More

Commercial Leasing Tips for Small Business Owners

One of the final hurdles in starting your own business is finding a suitable location to hang your shingle. At the SBDC, we often see sole proprietors who have just begun their ventures working from home. However, we also work with micro-entrepreneurs (companies with less than 10 employees) who need to rent enough space to sell goods or provide services and have room for a few employees. They need to find a suitable location that will allow them to have a little room to grow but stay within their budget.

Winnie’s Beauty Salon – South Portland

When Winnie Ogweta opened Winnie’s Beauty Salon in South Portland, she set out to do more than style hair. As the first Black-owned salon in South Portland, and one of just a handful across Maine, her business represents an important milestone and a new opportunity. As a licensed hairstylist, Winnie wanted to create a space where clients could find both quality service and inspiration to pursue their own careers in the beauty industry. Read More

How Small Businesses Can Strategize During an Economic Downturn

The 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic recession left lasting marks on the Maine small business community. Yet, in each case, some Maine businesses found ways to not only weather the storm but adapt and grow in new directions.

Today’s economic climate brings its own set of uncertainties. While the challenges may differ, the need for proactive planning and strategic thinking remains just as important. Some industries, like auto repair, healthcare, or agriculture, have historically shown resilience during downturns. But more often, a business’s ability to adapt determines how well it navigates change.

Rather than trying to predict how the economy will behave, business owners can prepare by evaluating their operations, strengthening their financial position, and staying open to creative pivots.

What We’re Seeing on the Ground

Some business owners planning to sell in the coming years have moved up their timelines, driven by economic uncertainty and broader demographic trends, such as Maine’s aging population. Others are reaching out to the Maine SBDC to evaluate operations and improve efficiency.

With borrowing costs doubling in the last 18 months, many are delaying plans to take out loans. In addition, businesses are scaling back hiring plans and relying on smaller teams to maintain operations. Inflation, increased wages, and a more cautious consumer environment have encouraged businesses to become leaner and more resource conscious.

Strengthening Financial Resilience

The most immediate action business owners can take is to reassess their pricing strategy. In Maine, business owners often hesitate to raise prices due to customer sensitivity. However, persistent inflation means many businesses continue to charge less than their products or services are worth, squeezing profit margins and limiting opportunities for reinvestment or growth. Over time, this can lead to burnout.

Contingency planning is another critical step. Lessons learned during the COVID-19 recession showed how important it is to have alternatives in place when supply chains break down or resources become scarce. Owners should actively look for more favorable terms from vendors, identify backup suppliers, and build a reserve fund when possible.

Small, strategic changes made now can significantly improve stability during times of disruption.

Advice for New Entrepreneurs

If you’re considering starting a business now, approach planning realistically. After developing a financial projection for your first year, consider reducing your projected revenue by 10% as a buffer. This simple adjustment ensures your business plan is robust enough to handle slower periods.

It is also helpful to consider whether your product or service offers such considerable value that people will continue to pay for it even during a downturn. This can be the difference between a sustainable business and one that struggles in tighter markets.

Launching in a challenging time is feasible, but it requires a higher level of discipline, adaptability, and focus on core value.

Common Traits of Resilient Businesses

Certain side gigs and service-based businesses tend to remain strong during downturns. These include repair services, selling used or refurbished goods, and businesses focused on local food. Consumers often stretch their dollars by choosing repairs over replacements, hiring local contractors, or buying secondhand items.

Businesses connected to local food also tend to gain traction. With food prices rising in recent years, more people are producing at home and selling goods through markets or informal channels.

In addition, services like auto repair and towing remain in demand because vehicles always require maintenance. Health-related services may also see steady or increased demand, as economic stress can, unfortunately, contribute to physical and mental health challenges.

Resilience Is a Strategy

There are opportunities. For instance, while people may cut back on restaurants or entertainment, they will always need food. During the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, many farms experienced increased demand. Interestingly, during stronger economic times, such as 2019, local farms sometimes struggled more, illustrating how overall strength in the economy doesn’t always correlate directly to success in business.

Another interesting twist is how investor behavior changes during recessions. When stock market returns decline, some investors look to small businesses or startups as alternative investments. Although traditional lenders may be more cautious, this shift can create new opportunities for funding as others dry up.

What’s that old saying, “When one door closes, another opens.”

How the SBDC Can Help

When you’re navigating challenging decisions, having a second set of eyes can clarify your options and identify the best path forward. A conversation with a Maine SBDC advisor can bring structure and confidence to decisions during stressful times.

Owlbear’s Rest – Westbrook

For Patty and Matt, Maine is where they built their family and careers. Now, they are preparing to open their dream business. Owlbear’s Rest brings people together through great games, good food, and a welcoming community. With an extensive library of board and roleplaying games, cozy seating, and a thoughtfully crafted menu featuring local producers, Patty and Matt are creating an inviting space where play is encouraged. Read More

Evergreen Grooming – Hampden

For many years, Veronica Page, a Maine native, worked as a dog groomer for others, but she wanted the opportunity to provide better service on her own terms. She dreamed of opening a place of her own but didn’t know where to start.

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