Gray Urgent Care recently opened its doors providing non-emergent medical evaluations, unencumbered by bureaucracy. Teaming up to make it happen is Patricia Kittredge; a Family Nurse Practitioner and a local who saw the medical need in the area, and Anna Kittredge; a Physician Assistant, with 18 years experience as a PA in emergency medicine and 12 years as a medical officer in the Army. Read More
Blog
Maine SBDC Releases 2022 Results: Supporting and empowering entrepreneurs throughout the state
![Maine SBDC 2022 annual report graphic featuring Maine couple on rocky beach with paddle board. Includes Maine SBDC red and blue logo and 2022 theme "Rethinking & Reimaging".](https://www.mainesbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Featured-Photo-2022-AR-1024x1024.jpg)
February 28, 2023
Today the Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) announces the release of its annual report for 2022.
The report showcases the achievements and impact of Maine SBDC’s efforts in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses through business advising, training and resources. The report also highlights individual entrepreneurs, illustrating the transformative effect that Maine SBDC’s services can have on small businesses and the broader community.
In 2022, business advisors across Maine provided no-cost, confidential business advising to 2,284 entrepreneurs and small businesses. They spent over 10,000 hours helping clients to start 129 new businesses, save and create 591 jobs, and access $30.3 million in funding.Read More
King Eider’s Pub – Damariscotta
Scott McArdle & Damon Waltz have been close friends and co-workers in the food industry for years. They’ve been building up experience in different positions at a variety of locations, but have been long-time employees at King Eider’s Pub in Damariscotta. They truly knew the restaurant industry inside & out, co-managing & growing together – but when the opportunity to purchase King Eider’s arose, it put the business in a new light. The existing owners were committed to the transition and understood the value Scott & Damon brought, but they wanted to fully understand the risks & challenges that came along with the opportunity. Read More
Networking For People Who Hate It
Some of the best parts of networking are meeting people from all backgrounds, building your business, finding new clients, and getting your name out there, but it can also be an uncomfortable experience. If you’re an introvert, networking may be one of your least favorite activities. So here are some tips and tricks to make it effective and as stress-free as possible!
Rangeley Adventure Co. – Rangeley
Michelle and Seth Laliberte are passionate educators who have enjoyed the Rangeley Region for over 20 years. And like so many others, the COVID pandemic had them re-evaluating their career and life goals. Having always dreamed of owning a small store they began exploring the options in their local area. Simultaneously, the owner of “Ecopelagicon” in Rangely was looking to retire after 29 years of providing gifts and outdoor gear. Read More
Developing Your Brand Identity
Did you know that establishing your brand identity is crucial to your marketing strategy and helps you better articulate your brand image? After all, the brand’s personality and originality are what people remember about your company and how your customers recognize and experience your business.
Read More
SerenityME – Portland
Like so many others, Greg Dulac found himself both over and underwhelmed when the COVID pandemic began. While recovering from his experience in the corporate world he developed an appreciation for mindfulness. He saw the need in the community for those dealing with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues to access tools to help manage these challenges. And so SerenityMe was started! A mindfulness business focused on providing meditation, yoga and body work. However, they are not a typical studio/wellness facility. While individual customers are welcome, their primary focus is on businesses that want to provide their employees with access to mindfulness-based tools to improve focus and productivity. Something all Maine SBDC clients could benefit from! Read More
The Osprey – Georgetown
The pandemic created an opportunity for Sarah (Armstrong) Kecskemethy, Zoli Kecskemethy, Tessa Boepple, and Dylan Boepple to come together to form the Four Cuckoo Birds, Inc. These two couples, who share vast experience in the food industry and a passion for food & community, were eager to get their dream business going and use their combined culinary skills to bring the Osprey back to Derecktor Robinhood Marina in Riggs Cove. With a strong belief in connectivity, they are fully committed to “fostering relationships within the community.” Read More
How To Prepare Your Business for Wholesale
If you’re planning to start a business or already have an existing one, you may have considered whether wholesale is the right approach for your business. There are various factors to consider, so we’ve highlighted some major points to ensure you have the right tools to get started! Read More
2022 – Leaning into Change
Maine SBDC Center Director & Business Advisor Raynor Large provides an overview of 2022, a year where we began to catch glimpses of “normal” and began to lean into the changes the pandemic has brought into our everyday lives. He also outlines the essential areas of business ownership that remain unchanged.