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On-demand, online seminars to prepare you for your next trade show

trade showExhibiting at a trade show is an investment.  Learn how to make the most of your next trade show at one of our online seminars!

These seminars are especially helpful for those exhibiting at the New England Made Giftware & Specialty Food Show, but are open to anyone interested in learning more about trade shows.

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TGN Detailing

TGN Detailing logoHave you ever gotten your vehicle detailed and felt the stress of dropping your vehicle off for service and not having access to your vehicle for a full day? Anyone who has gotten their vehicle detailed will tell you this is the biggest downside to the service. Although many people take pride in their vehicles and want clean rides, sometimes the hassle of not having a vehicle to use during the day stops people dead in their tracks. This inconvenience is what sparked Taylor Nadeau’s creative juices to open a mobile detailing business. Nadeau has been detailing vehicles on the side for years and has worked for local dealerships in the past, and in his experience, it was always a challenge getting clients to drop off and leave their vehicle for any extended amount of time. Nadeau saw the inconvenience this caused clients as an opportunity for himself.Read More

New Business Resource Group for Bangor Area Entrepreneurs

New Business Resource Group for BangorBusiness development agencies in Bangor have joined together to form the Business Resource Partners for Greater Bangor. The collaborative helps businesses grow through education, referrals, and personalized advising services. 

Maine SBDC is joined in this partnership by Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC), Four Directions Development Corp., MaineStream Finance, New Ventures Maine, SCORE, and Scratchpad Accelerator. While the partners have always worked together organically, this new initiative makes it easier for area entrepreneurs to access the services they need to start and grow their businesses with the help of these nonprofit organizations.Read More

Herbal Revolution – Union, Maine

Herbal Revolution logoKathi Langelier is the founder and formulator of Herbal Revolution. Herbal Revolution is a wellness products business that provides handcrafted, high quality herbal teas, tonics and elixirs. For over 20 years, Kathi has been farming and formulating botanical medicine and has a deep love for the natural world.  Based in mid-coast Maine, she grows non GMO, pesticide and chemical free herbs that are used in products on her certified organic farm.Read More

Time & Tide Coffee – Biddeford, Maine

Time & Tide Coffee logoJon Phillips and Briana Campbell had long dreamed of starting their own coffee company. The New York-based couple had the perfect combination of skills. Jon had experience in all aspects of the coffee business while Briana brought the branding and marketing expertise. They dreamed of a place where they could offer the best beans, sourced by people Jon had met in his coffee travels, in a beautiful, modern environment. Read More

The Village Woodworker – Oxford, Maine

The Village Woodworker - Maine SBDCAs Brian Warren approached his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, his father-in-law Robert Roakes, the owner of The Village Woodworker, was ready to retire too. Warren had been working alongside Roakes for ten years and talked with him about carrying on his woodworking legacy, which led to the opportunity to purchase the woodworking business from his father-in-law.  The business, The Village Woodworker, has been in the family for nearly 65 years and is known for their unique designs and quality artisanship. The Village Woodworker makes custom designed furniture and specialize in state of the art, handcrafted hardwood stools.

Brian reached out to Maine SBDC Business Advisor Ashleigh Briggs for assistance in understanding the process of buying a business. Together Ashleigh and Brian reviewed the business’s financial statements and various methodologies for valuing a business, so the seller and buyer could settle on a fair price.  After settling on a purchase price with his father-in-law, Brian worked with Ashleigh to develop a business plan and supporting financial projections to be able to apply for a loan to complete the sale.Read More

Farmington D – Farmington, Maine

Farmington D - Maine SBDCRachel Jackson is no stranger in the restaurant scene in Western Maine. She has operated two other restaurants in the area, and for years has dreamed of opening another in the Farmington area. Rachel began working with Business Advisor Larry Giroux as she explored her options and next steps in making this dream a reality.Read More

Surf & Summit Motorcycle – Scarborough, Maine

Surf & Summit Motorcycle - Maine SBDC

Steven Salois came to see Maine SBDC Business Advisor Peter Harriman with a novel business idea. He wanted to start a motorcycle rental business in Southern Maine. This business would be much like car rentals for travelers, but for motorcycles. This type of business is uncommon, and Steven saw a need for Maine tourists who could not bring their own motorcycle but wanted to rent one.Read More