Mickey Carmichael and his business Carmichael Transport Inc. have provided services to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for almost 40 years in the Bangor area. Recently, the USPS changed the way they award mail routes, with the consolidation of smaller routes into larger contracts. For the northern Maine Region, this meant there would only be two contracts out of the Hampden service center – for Region A and Region B. Mickey knew this could be an opportunity to expand his business and wanted to make sure he thoroughly understood the bidding process. For assistance, he turned to the Maine SBDC and met with Business Advisor Ann McAlhany.Read More
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News Release: Maine SBDC names Peter Harriman as 2018 State Star
Portland, Maine –The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a state-wide program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, has selected Peter Harriman as the 2018 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
Bangor Pet Resort & Spa – Bangor, Maine
Bangor Pet Resort and Spa is well known in the Bangor area for providing exceptional care to man’s (and woman’s) best friends. Their services include an interactive pet daycare, comfortable overnight boarding and luxurious spa and grooming services. Their clean and comfortable facility features spacious play areas for group play time as well as as private rooms with windows for dogs that want to be by themselves. Overnight guests receive their very own pet suites or condos, with all the comforts of home and more. Certified groomers are also available to brush, trim and pamper your pet. Read More
Rockwood Cottages – Rockwood, Maine
Rockwood Cottages consists of 7 two bedroom cottages situated on the western shore of Moosehead Lake in Rockwood, Maine. The cottages feature all the comforts of home and overlook the lake and popular Mt. Kineo, a majestic mountain that arises out of the water forming a sheer 700-foot cliff.
With a motto of “A stranger is just a friend we haven’t met yet,” the business had been built based on quality customer service and experience. When the business owners decided to retire in 2017, they looked to sell to someone who would take care of their customers and the business which they’d worked hard to build for many years. With experience in the cabin rental and property management business, they found the perfect match in Emily and Dennis Bodemer.Read More
Three Tips to Getting Your Business Ready for Summer Tourism
The sun is shining, temperatures are (finally) warming up, and the black flies are coming (sadly). It’s almost summer in Maine, which means it’s also a busy time of year for so many of our small businesses.
Is your business ready? Will they remember your business and want to come back year after year?
Creating unique and memorable experiences for visitors will increase your sales and keep customers coming back. A win-win! We’ve highlighted three things you can start doing now that will help you have a better season!
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U.S. SBA Recognizes Maine SBDC in Caribou for Excellence & Innovation
The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) at Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) will be recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for its outstanding performance and commitment to the small business community. Read More
David Jacobson Glass – Montville, Maine
David Jacobson has worked with Maine SBDC Business Advisor David Hill since 2004. Jacobson, a successful cartoonist and glass blower, had just moved to Maine from New York City and wanted to establish his own studio in Montville.Read More
Demystifying Estimated Taxes
By: Business Advisor Peter Harriman
One of the hardest and least understood topics I find small businesses face, especially new start-up businesses, is the issue of Estimated Taxes. Part of the problem is that a taxpayer needs to understand their adjusted gross income for the year, in addition to deductions and credits, in order to properly plan the four quarterly payments throughout the year. With a business in its first or second year, this can be problematic to say the least. Paying late or paying too little will incur penalties with the IRS.Read More
News Release: Maine SBDC Releases 2017 Small Business Client Results
February 13, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Statewide (Maine) –Today the Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a state-wide program that helps entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses, is pleased to announce its annual results.
In 2017, certified business advisors across Maine provided no-cost business advising to 1,400 entrepreneurs which helped clients to:
- Save and create 661 jobs
- Start 98 new businesses
- Access $44 million in capital to start or grow their businesses.
