Another 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.
When 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… Read more »
Monique 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… Read more »
Jess 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… Read more »
This pandemic has had us all reassessing our future plans; personally, professionally, and in some cases geographically! Tom Sturdevant and his family decided that relocating from New Jersey to Maine was the right next step for them. Having summered here over the years they were ready to make it home full time and were looking… Read more »
John and Pam Edwards have owned TuneTown Music Gear in Wells for 18 years. They brought decades of musical industry experience to a vision of providing positive and nurturing experiences within music instruction, service, and sales. Their business features nine large state of the art lesson studios, a recording studio and a live performance stage…. Read more »
Kathryn Toppan and husband Sean Lent, of Bad Little Brewing Company, are an excellent example of how important persistence is when it comes to starting a small business. They have been working with Maine SBDC advisors throughout our network to get their brewery and restaurant open since 2019! Moreover, throughout the process there has been… Read more »
Elissa Nally began working with Shannon Byers, Maine SBDC at CEI Center Director and Business Advisor, in 2019 as she started her dog grooming business. Byers was able to help her lay the groundwork for a solid business plan and financial projections, as well as offer a unique perspective as the previous owner of a… Read more »
Graham Platner was born and raised in Maine before he went on to serve 8 years in the military, with 4 infantry tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Returning to Afghanistan to work for the Department of State, while on leave he was able to return to his roots and got a peek into the world… Read more »
Most affordable properties need some help and Maine has the oldest housing inventory in the country. According to the Maine Association of Realtors, the average age of a home in Maine is 42 years. As much as 24% of the housing stock was built prior to 1939. And although the older homes and apartment buildings… Read more »
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