Michael Brasslett, owner of Quality Saw & Supply in West Enfield, was sent to Business Advisor Tom Gallant by his banker in 2008. Specializing in the repair of saw blades and catering to Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Quality Saw was struggling financially – sawmills were closings, sales were down, business was slow, debts were mounting up and there was no cash. Four employees relied on him, and his business.
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Crooked Face Creamery – Norridgewock
Amy Rowbottom has had her share of ups and downs as a business owner. She first opened Crooked Face Creamery located in Norridgewock in 2012 making specialty whole milk cheese with milk from the farm that she grew up on. But even the best written business plan can prepare us for some of life’s challenges. After weathering these challenges, she turned to Business Advisor Janet Roderick for assistance in re-booting her business.Read More
International Resource Center – Portland, Maine
Paul Okot’s International Resource Center (IRC) in Portland offers high quality, timely language services such as translation, interpretation and tutoring. The services help people with things like job applications, medical appointments, immigration documents and more. His business has provided interpretation in places such as courtrooms, in hospitals, home visits, and group sessions.
Okot came to the Maine SBDC for business advising on marketing and promoting his business, and was paired with Business Advisor Tom Leach. Together, they’ve worked for two years, meeting regularly to discuss marketing IRC and continually developing his business to increase his sales.Read More
Howell’s Indoor Range & Gunshop – Gray, Maine
Adam Copp had big plans to expand Howell’s Indoor Range & Gun Shop. He wanted to double the size of the local gun retail shop through the addition of a state of the art indoor shooting range and an expansion of its retail showroom. Copp approached a credit union for financing, who liked the opportunity to help the business, and referred him to Maine SBDC Certified Master Business Advisor Brad Swanson to help him solidify his business plan and assess the feasibility of the concept.Read More
Maine SBDC at CEI hires Shannon Byers as Business Advisor
The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a state-wide program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Shannon Byers as Business Advisor in their Bangor office located at Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI). Byers will provide business advising to new and existing entrepreneurs and small businesses in Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties. Read More
News Release: Maine SBDC names Josh Nadeau as 2017 State Star
Caribou, Maine –The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a state-wide program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, has selected Joshua Nadeau as the 2017 State Star. The award, given annually, recognizes a member of the Maine SBDC staff that has shown exemplary performance and a strong commitment to small business success.Read More
Client Highlight: Big Machias Lake Camps, LLC in Ashland, ME
If you call and schedule a hunting trip with Big Machias Lake Camps, LLC dba: Oxbow Outfitters, LLC (BMLC) you likely won’t notice a difference because Jeff Lavway, the new owner of BMLC, is the same person who has been managing the day to day operations of the business for the past two years. On May 30th, Lavway officially purchased the business from Jeff O’Connor of Pennsylvania. Lavway has worked as a licensed Maine Guide since 2005 operating his own company, Northern Experience Guide Service in Gardner Creek from 2005-2013. Upon selling his business Lavway went to work for BMLC, starting out as a guide and expanding his role each year until 2015 when he took over the operation of the business.Read More
Senator King Recognizes Maine SBDC’s 40th Anniversary
Senator Angus King sent a letter congratulating Maine SBDC on 40 years of building and strengthening Maine’s small businesses.
He comments: “What a difference your organization makes to so many small business owners and the communities across the State of Maine….This is a vital program and 40 years is a remarkable achievement.”
We thank Senator King for his ongoing support of the Maine SBDC program. Full letter is below.
Dancing Jaguar Inspirations, LLC. – Waterville, Maine
By: Business Owner Eva Goulette
Eva Goulette is the owner of Dancing Jaguar Inspirations, which seeks to empower children to connect to their authentic selves through a mix of ancient traditions, nature experiences, and modern holistic techniques. They host a five-day summer program for children ages 5-10, which offers a myriad of ways to explore, express and honor Spirit. For more info, visit Dancing Jaguar Inspirations or follow them on Facebook!
In January of 2017, my company, Dancing Jaguar Inspirations, LLC received a loan in the amount of $5,000 to be paid back over an extended period of time. I have no doubt that the reason I received the loan is because of all of the work I have done with Janet Roderick over the past two years.
Janet helped me focus on my business plan, to really understand the scope of what I was trying to birth into the world, and gently guided me when my vision was starting to steer off course. With her constant attention to detail and my passion for the work I do, we have created a strong team to continue taking the steps necessary to develop and maintain a successful business.Read More
