Lisa Joy White, LMSW, MThanatology, CT founded Mourning Ventures of Maine in Dover-Foxcroft to offer personalized, evidence-based grief care and advance life planning support to individuals and communities as well as workplace consultations rooted in grief-informed practices. With fifteen years’ experience, Lisa holds a master’s degree and certification in thanatology. She is also a licensed master social worker.
While she found her jobs in the field rewarding, there was no existing role to match her true calling. So, to fill a critical gap in services and better provide for Maine communities, she took the leap into self-employment.
Despite her strong conviction, Lisa faced a common challenge: Uncertainty about whether people would pay for services that were unfamiliar or misunderstood. She had many questions and lacked the time and resources to conduct the market research she needed. That’s when she reached out to the Maine SBDC.
Working with Business Advisor Alison Lane, Lisa found the support and clarity she needed to move forward. “I would not be ‘open for business’ if not for SBDC,” she shared. “Working with Alison has helped me to be much more confident, not just in my abilities to run my business but also in accepting that I have the right to ask for payment for the professional services I offer.”
Lisa credits her advisor and the Maine SBDC Webinars with helping her overcome doubts and identify the value of her work. “My [advisor] has helped me to think outside the box and has been my biggest source of encouragement through this process,” she said. This blend of practical guidance and moral support helped her formalize her vision and bring Mourning Ventures of Maine to life.
Though still in early stages, Lisa is optimistic about the future. She’s confident that her services will make a difference for many Mainers navigating difficult life transitions. Looking ahead, she encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to engage with Maine’s small business resources early. “Start working with SBDC as soon as the idea of having your own business pops into your mind,” she advised.