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Maine SBDC Business Advisors Receive Certifications

Certified Business Advisors Cole, Oddleifson, Lancaster, Allen, Ramsdell, McDonald, Lane, & Piconi recognized

Maine SBDC Business Advisors- Certifications - Maine SBDC

Top – Chris Cole, Tina Oddleifson, Anne Lancaster, Lori Allen
Bottom – Christina Ramsdell, Brandon McDonald, Alison Lane, Peter Piconi

The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a state-wide program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, recognized eight (8) business advisors who received their Core Competencies Certification from the New England Professional Development (NEPD) group on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.  Newly certified advisors include Christine Cole (Portland), Tina Oddleifson (Portland), Anne Lancaster (Biddeford), Lori Allen (Auburn), Christina Ramsdell (Auburn), Brandon McDonald (Caribou), Alison Lane (Bangor), and Peter Piconi (Waterville). Read More

Fish & Whistle – Biddeford

Jason Eckerson and Kate Hamm Fish & Whistle - Biddeford - Maine SBDCFish & Whistle was conceptualized by husband and wife duo Jason Eckerson and Kate Hamm. They dreamed of a small neighborhood restaurant that could showcase the best of Maine’s seafood while remaining approachable and fun. Kate and Jason have worked in the restaurant industry for over 20 years and felt it was time to try and venture out on their own. They connected with the Maine SBDC business advisor Susan Desgrosseilliers, who helped them work through many aspects of their restaurant, including financial, managerial, and legal matters. Read More

Elder Law Offices – Lewiston

Building Sign - Elder Law Offices - Lewiston - Maine SBDCMia Poliquin Pross began her career in the non-profit sector, developing a skill set (and a heart) for supporting more vulnerable populations. As she shifted to private law practice at the Elder Law Offices of Kathleen Kienitz, she continued to focus on those in need, helping families plan for long-term care needs, transitions, and other matters important to an aging population. In January 2022, she acquired the law firm, and it became the Elder Law Office of Kienitz and Pross, P.A. She worked closely with Maine SBDC at CEI Business Advisor Raynor Large to finalize her business plan and projections, they considered multiple financing options, and smoothly transitioned into the new ownership, all while keeping the office disruption to a minimum and maintaining the high-quality service and care the firm’s clients deserve and expect. Read More

Recruiting – Thinking Outside The Box

Graphic of woman at desk Text reads "Find the right people for your team"With the summer season right around the corner, you’ve probably already started thinking about different recruitment techniques for your company. In the last few years, there’s been an ongoing shift towards focusing on the importance of smart recruitment techniques to improve results and the candidate’s experience. There are many ways to attract talented employees to your company but you might be surprised at how much you can accomplish by trying a few different strategies. Read More

Five Tips to Keep Customers Happy This Summer

Graphic with five stars for customer serviceAnother busy summer is expected, providing both an opportunity and a challenge for small businesses across Maine. The ongoing labor shortage means that many businesses will again need to do more with less. Below are some basic customer service tips that can help businesses stand out.

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Maine SBDC Releases 2021 Results: Supporting and empowering entrepreneurs throughout the state

Follow link to 2021 Annual Report - Maine SBDCToday the Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a statewide program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, announces the annual results for 2021.

In 2021, business advisors across Maine provided no-cost, confidential business advising to 2,953 entrepreneurs and small businesses, nearly matching the record-setting volume of 2020 and doubling that of 2019. This support helped business owners to:

  • Access $48.8 million in funding, more than in any other year in the program’s history!
  • Start 136 new businesses
  • Save and create 917 jobs

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Midcoast Comics – Brunswick

Logo, Midcoast Comics - Brunswick - Maine SBDCWhen Steven Thanos first began working with Maine SBDC at CEI Business Advisor Bradshaw Swanson, he had a vision of building a successful comic book store in downtown Brunswick. With a wide collection of current issues, historic collector’s editions, and graphic novels there would be something to attract both long-time fans and new hobbyists. Brad & Steven worked together to fine-tune his business plan and understand the financial viability of the vision.  Read More

Pumpkin Patch Preschool & Child Care – Baldwin

Monique Beaulieu - Pumpkin Patch Preschool & Child Care - Baldwin - Maine SBDCMonique Beaulieu had successfully managed and run daycare centers for others for years and was ready to take the leap and do so for herself. The process of determining value, negotiating and purchasing an existing business and real estate, however, was daunting. She worked closely with Maine SBDC at CEI Business Advisor Raynor Large to explore a myriad of options – starting from scratch, buying existing centers of various sizes, to leasing. The tight real estate market proved to be another hurdle, with multiple opportunities falling through in the negotiating process. Throughout it all, Monique kept her eyes on her goal – being the Director of her own Center, so that she was truly the beneficiary of her hard work and care. Read More

Reflections From Our Team on SBDC Day

Reflections From Our Team on SBDC Day - Maine SBDCSBDCs work with hundreds of thousands of small businesses in local communities across the country each year. While our impact is quantifiable, what’s behind those numbers comes straight out of the hearts and minds of our business advisors. For SBDC Day this year, we asked the Maine SBDC business advisors about their own experience and the impact our clients have on them. Though they are scattered across the state, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, their responses were similar: YOU – you and your business inspire our team each and every day. Read More

Portland Yoga Collective – Portland

Woman Doing Yoga Portland Yoga Collective - Portland - Maine SBDCJess Fadale dreamed of owning her own Yoga studio! The vision was to open a collective of yoga instructors with a variety of specialties, giving their clients a holistic, well-rounded experience. After a decade-long career in sports business, she pivoted her strong marketing and business backgrounds to her passion for yoga. 

Jess is a certified yoga instructor and has been teaching classes for the last couple of years in the Providence and Boston area. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher certification to share her love of movement with others. “My classes involve building strength, trying new things, laughing, falling down and getting back up.” All things we, small business owners included, need to learn to do more flexibly. Read More