Making the transition to digital marketing has not been easy, especially for rural Maine. With a lack of internet infrastructure and old-school mentalities, small businesses need to be inventive with their marketing strategies. Noah and Ashley Sixberry know this all too well, both having grown up in Maine. So they started Sixberry Solutions in 2020 to bring quality website design and effective organic marketing strategies to the Maine market, as well as across the US. Read More
Blog
MotoResto – Portland
Krystal Stone and Andrew Furbush came to the Maine SBDC in June of 2021. Andrew, a knowledgeable mechanic with a passion for antique and classic car restoration and Krystal who is great with managing all of the aspects of the auto business wanted to start their own company, MotoResto, LLC. At that time, they were looking to purchase the business where they were employed. Maine SBDC at USM Certified Business Advisor, Chris Cole worked with them on financial projections, terms of the sale, and the feasibility of purchasing the business. By doing this process, it helped Krystal and Andrew to realize purchasing that business was not the right option for them. Read More
Dobson Family Funeral & Cremation Services – Arundel
Jeffrey Dobson has a passion for helping people through hard times. Born and raised in Maine, he knows how difficult dealing with the death of a loved one can be. Facing the complex and expensive funeral system after his mother passed in 2005 taught him some valuable lessons. He is now using that experience to guide his new business Dobson Family Funeral & Cremation Services, providing compassionate and affordable funeral & cremation services in Arundel. Read More
Peace, Love, Waffles – Dover-Foxcroft
Michael Begley was the 5th generation to work at the restaurant his father’s family owned and operated. So when his mother pitched the idea of a waffle-themed restaurant, he knew it would be worth moving to Maine to help with! In the fall of 2019, they got started in their first location. However, COVID quickly had them shifting their plans and attention to their current Dover-Foxcroft location, in what they lovingly refer to as “The Waffle Barn”. In February 2021, they opened their doors as Peace, Love, Waffles – “the cutest little breakfast joint in New England, specializing in gourmet waffles!” There they offer a robust menu of sweet and savory waffles, plus community events! Read More
Understanding Your Customer Through Market Research
Market research is one of the first things small business owners should consider when starting their business. This research will help you identify who your customers are, what they like, and how best to reach them. Read More
DealPoint Corporation – South Berwick
Paul Dube is a seasoned business professional with 35+ years of experience in the finance, IT and medical device industries. He loves entrepreneurship and wanted to bring a digital transformation to Maine. So in 2022, he founded DealPoint Corporation, a Maine-based application development company. Their mission is the development of automated and cost-effective solutions for small businesses, with the goal of growing sales and increasing customer retention. Read More
Michael James Murray Photography – Lisbon
Michael James Murray has a long history of photography in his family. He grew up in Rochester, NY, where his dad worked for Eastman Kodak as a Chemist developing the emulsions for consumer photographic film. Later, Michael moved to New York City to work at B&H Photo Video Audio, where he met his wife, a fellow artist. Looking to leave the corporate world, Michael started his own photography business in 2009, producing unique 360-degree landscape photographs and found success with the vibrant community of street artists in NYC. In 2016, his family moved to Lisbon, Maine to be closer to his in-laws, and he transitioned to the seasonality of Maine’s small business community. He jumped right into a plethora of fairs and festivals throughout New England. Read More
Common Small Business Bookkeeping Mistakes
Keeping accurate records of your business’s financial transactions is critical to ensure consistency and avoid bookkeeping mistakes. However, small business owners often make common bookkeeping errors that can lead to significant financial problems. Read More
Maine SBDC Business Advisors Receive Certifications
Certified Business Advisors O’Brien, Treworgy, Umphrey Recognized
The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a state-wide program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, recognized three (3) business advisors who received their Core Competencies Certification from the New England Professional Development (NEPD) group on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Newly certified advisors include Christina O’Brien (Waterville), Eric Treworgy (Ellsworth), and Dan Umphrey (Caribou). Read More
Work in Progress Art Studio – Lisbon
Going from the spark of an idea to the point of taking action, takes a tremendous amount of courage. This is true for entrepreneurs and artists alike, and Teresa Pennington of Work in Progress Art Studio(WIP) is both! An avid ceramic potter, gardener, and general crafter, she has always enjoyed the collaborative atmosphere of an art studio. She was ready to take a chance when she first began working with Maine SBDC at AVCOG Center Director and Business Advisor Lori Allen in February 2020 with the idea of opening a pottery studio. They began working on her business plan and looking for locations, then the COVID-19 Pandemic stopped everything in its tracks. Read More