For Ashley and Ray DeSilva, opening a restaurant was never a given. Ashley, an experienced chef, often joked that her number one rule was never to own the restaurant. But when a small cafe on Bailey Island became available, the opportunity felt too right to pass up. They had found the perfect size, the perfect setting, and the perfect moment to bring their long-simmering vision to life.

Ashley brings more than 20 years of culinary experience, including eight years as an executive chef in the Portland and Brunswick food scene. Ray’s career has only rarely taken detours through kitchens, but cooking beside Ashley has been her favorite place to be since the day they met. Together, they share a love of good food, a strong sense of partnership, and a vision for a business rooted in care and connection.

Fishnet Cafe now serves scratch-made New England fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a space shaped by care, creativity, and community. From day one, Ashley and Ray were clear about what mattered most: treating their team well, cooking food that excites them, and building relationships with local farmers and neighbors.

Still, starting a business for the first time came with its share of complexity. Ashley and Ray weren’t just navigating licenses and paperwork. They had questions about writing a business plan, creating projections, finding an accountant, and where to go for payroll support. That’s when they connected with Business Advisor Jenn Dobransky, whose guidance brought clarity to the process and gave them confidence in their next steps.

“Jenn came through the door loaded with tools and templates and connections,” they said. “Her map of how to get from endless ‘what-if’s’ to where we wanted to be really instilled the first hope that yes, this was the right move to make.”

With support from Jenn and the local licensing office, Ashley and Ray opened Fishnet Cafe in line with their values. They hope to continue building a strong bond with their team, offer meaningful benefits, and create a workplace where people feel cared for. Their version of success is rooted in rhythm and balance, serving their community during the busy summer season, then stepping back in winter to rest and recharge with their dogs.

For those considering a similar path, they offer simple advice: talk to the SBDC. Sometimes all it takes is the right conversation to bring a vision to life.

For more about their business, check out their Facebook page!