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Maine Names 2026 State Star

2026 State StarThe Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) has selected Christina  Oddleifson as the 2026 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.

Christina (Tina) Oddleifson is a senior business advisor at the Maine SBDC at University of Southern Maine. She works with entrepreneurs and small business owners in Southern Maine to start, sustain, and grow their businesses. In the five years she has been with the Maine SBDC, she has spent over 4,500 hours advising almost 900 clients. She’s helped to start 65 businesses, create and save 222 jobs, and generate almost $10 million in capital. Read More

Saylor DesJardin – Flexit Cafe

After several years working in the coffee shop industry, Saylor DesJardin knew she enjoyed the fast pace, the customer relationships, and the sense of community that comes from serving familiar faces each day. She also had a clear vision to open her own brick-and-mortar coffee and bagel business.Read More

Aroostook Animal Emergency Services – Mars Hill

For decades, Aroostook County residents had to travel several hours to central Maine for their emergency veterinary needs, putting a significant financial strain on pet owners who are already struggling with high veterinary bills.Read More

Fishnet Cafe – Bailey Island

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.Read More

Aura & Hue – Turner

Katie Prestridge opened Aura & Hue in Turner to build the kind of salon experience she felt was missing: a calm, private studio where clients can decompress while receiving vivid color work and nail services. Located inside the Skin Hub, Aura & Hue operates as a personal suite within a larger beauty collective, giving clients the option to pair salon services with other self-care appointments in the same building.Read More

New Tool: Mini Business Plan Generator

Maine SBDC Logo
🚀 Pilot Program

Help us test this tool and shape Maine SBDC resources!

Welcome to the Startup Spark!

Getting a business idea out of your head and onto paper can be the hardest part of the journey. This easy-to-use interactive AI tool helps you translate your vision into a clear blueprint using the Maine SBDC’s startup framework. This tool can be used in as little as 10 minutes to generate a solid roadmap for your business idea.

⚠️ Privacy & Safety: Do not enter personal sensitive information (SSNs, private addresses). Information entered may be used to train AI models. For confidential business advising, visit mainesbdc.org/advising.

Choose your preferred AI platform to begin:

Option A: Gemini

Requires a Google Account.
Best for clean, guided text chat.

Launch in Gemini

Option B: ChatGPT

Requires a ChatGPT Account.
Best for GPT Plus or Free users.

Launch in ChatGPT

Who is this for?

This tool is for Maine entrepreneurs ready to pressure-test a business idea. It is designed to help you move from “I have an idea” to a Startup Roadmap by identifying exactly what you need to move forward.

The 3-Phase Journey

  • 🟢 Phase 1: The Spark – Your core idea, mission, and pricing logic.
  • 🟡 Phase 2: The Reality – Your customers, competitors, and location.
  • 🔵 Phase 3: The Engine – Your team, startup costs, and risks.

📋 Your Result: After completing Phase 3, you will receive a Startup Roadmap—a concise summary you can use to jumpstart your full business plan or share with a Maine SBDC advisor. Note: This roadmap is a starting point for planning.

📢 We Need Your Feedback

Which version did you prefer? Your input is vital for this pilot. Please let us know how we can make this tool more helpful for Maine’s small business community.

Share your feedback here →

Sand Island Marine Construction – Friendship

Douglas Blasius launched Sand Island Marine Construction in Friendship to deliver pile driving and marine construction services across Midcoast Maine, including dock and pier construction, shoreline stabilization, and barge-based crane support. A Maine Maritime Academy graduate with an engineering background, Blasius spotted the opportunity after building his own wharf and realizing there was demand for a locally based operator that could respond quickly and reliably on the water.Read More

Sylvester Stump Grinding – Durham

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.Read More