Posts Categorized: Success Stories

Snow Dogs – Camden

Cartoon of a dog on a hot dog, riding it like a snowboard. Sun and mountains are in the background.

 If you’ve ever visited Camden you’ll know there is a little something for everyone, food, shopping and outdoor adventures! It also has the only ocean view from a ski area on the Eastern Seaboard at Camden Snow Bowl! Another thing you’ll only find at Camden Snow Bowl, Snow Dogs! Jason Doppelt’s food stand opened last… Read more »

Black Bear Mobile Maintenance – Harrison

Two white people standing in front of a red tractor in rural Maine, leaves and grass on ground with pine trees in the background.

 Jonathan Daggett of Black Bear Mobile Maintenance is a military veteran with the ability to repair everything from small engines to helicopters! Through his years of working experience at a tractor repair shop, he saw an opportunity to (quite literally) serve customers where they are at.

Campfire Booking – Windham

Circle logo on white background with a cabin on a lake at sunset, includes a campfire and pine trees, Campfire Booking for Maine's vacation Rentals text wraps around the illustration.

 While the Covid-19 pandemic caused a large-scale economic disruption for most small businesses, it also fueled a historic surge in entrepreneurship. According to the US Census Bureau, new business starts in 2021 were the highest on record, surpassing the previous record set in 2020.  For good friends Mandy Caruso and Ashley Hanson, the pandemic provided… Read more »

Breggia Sanitation – Portland

Gino Breggia approached the Maine SBDC in July of 2021 seeking financial advice to be able to open his own sanitation business. A Portland native, Gino moved out of state to explore career opportunities. He spent time in New York, where he got his introduction to the world’s largest sanitation department, before spending many years… Read more »

Maine Adventure Co. – Brunswick

Trevar & David Haefele are a father/son team with a passion for the outdoors and a desire to increase sustainable accessibility to the natural beauty Maine has to offer. With diverse life experience in leadership, personal development, and coaching, both Trevar & David are in an excellent position to bring their passion to others. 

Retro Roadtripper – Kennebunk

Retro Roadtripper Logo Maine SBDC

Joshua Hrehovcik the photographer behind Retro Roadtripper, a photography and media company, reached out to the Maine SBDC for help marketing his business. He connected with Maine SBDC Business Advisor Anne Lancaster, who covers York County, and together they discussed his business plan and whether or not the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) would… Read more »

Rhona Beauty – Biddeford

Rhona Johnson Deah saw an unmet need in the marketplace when she couldn’t find on-trend beauty services specifically designed for style-conscious ethnic women in Maine.  With this in mind, she left her job as a medical technician, apprenticed with several beauty salons, and obtained her full cosmetology license in 2021.  She started her business by… Read more »

Little Mainer – Yarmouth

After retiring from teaching in 2020, Kathie Bradeen started using her crafting skills to print Maine-themed designs on toddler and babywear.  She wanted an alternative to the ubiquitous “touristy” designs printed on low-quality clothing, to give as gifts to the babies and toddlers in her life.  Frustrated by the lack of options she was finding,… Read more »

Martin’s Service and Sales – Andover

Tracy and Joe Greenwood are a dynamic duo and were excited at the opportunity to purchase Martin’s Service and Sales.  With Tracy’s business skills and Joe’s mechanical skills, they hoped to win over Martin’s regulars and grow the decades-old business to its full capacity in 2022.  Maine SBDC at CEI Business Advisor Alison Lane came… Read more »