Success Stories

Client Success Stories

Long Shot Revival Homestead

The Long Shot Revival Homestead, in Orland, is a family farm owned and run by Joe and Haley Brown. Joe is an Army National Guard veteran and initially thought farming and raising pigs would be a good therapeutic outlet as he transitioned back to civilian life. Starting off with just a few piglets, Maine SBDC at CEI Business Advisor Shannon Byers helped them get organized and explored options for expansion, leading to the addition of poultry to the farm. Joe also gained support through a nonprofit called United Farmer Veterans of Maine, aimed at helping Maine veterans navigate and succeed in agriculture and business success. Throughout this growth he has continued to show commitment to this community in a variety of way including a 10% discount to fellow veterans.

 

This year Covid had a unique impact on the homestead due to the national gridlock in the meat processing industry. Having already begun doing small batch meat processing this became the focus and business was actually booming! Working hard to stay positive and continue to provide healthy local food, Joe’s dedication and compassion for keeping people healthy transcended eating habits to a real sense of community in a time when many felt very isolated.

 

Poultry season is now over but they are looking to begin processing deer later this month. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO FOLLOW THIS GROWING BUSINESS, VISIT THEIR FACEBOOK OR YOUTUBE.

Hero’s Pizza & Breakfast – Skowhegan, ME

Derek DeFelice is a decorated Purple Heart veteran and owner of Hero’s Pizza & Breakfast in Skowhegan. Derek and his wife Aaron have worked hard to build this local pizzeria since they purchased it in 2018. Through long hours and sheer determination, they have rebranded and remodeled the restaurant, increase sales, and hired new staff.Read More

Literacy Tech Inc. DBA ReMo – Lewiston, Maine

ReMo Education Application Logo

Michelle DeBlois and Kathryn Lariviere, both full-time middle school teachers, tri-founded LiteracyTech, Inc. with Peter Janett, a web application developer in December 2019.  Their vision was to create a web-based application that would bring educators and students together in the independent reading process. The app, which they named ReMo, streamlines the cumbersome and obsolete data management associated with literacy education and helps students engage with books they’ll love.Read More

G-Force Laser Tag – Brewer, Maine

G-Force Laser Tag Team - Loan

On June 5th, G-Force Adventure Center & Laser Tag in Brewer reopened its doors for the first time in three months, following a mandatory shutdown due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The business has been operating in the “new normal” for nearly a month now, and while business isn’t back to pre-COVID levels by any stretch, the small weekly increases in calls, visitors, and birthday party reservations bring hope for the future. While the past four months have been a challenge, owner Brian Plavnick considers himself one of the lucky ones.Read More

Farmington Underground Escape Room – Farmington, ME

COVID has caused massive disruptions in the way we all do business. Businesses throughout Maine are finding unique and interesting ways to connect with their customers, find new revenue streams, and keep their businesses afloat. Want to share how your business is pivoting? Contact us here.

Farmington Underground - LogoJoseph Musumeci and Mary Ellms own Farmington Underground Escape Room Center, which offers residents and visitors to the area a chance to fully immerse themselves in one of two (soon to be three!) themed rooms.  Guests have one hour to use puzzles, clues, hints, teamwork, and intuition to figure everything out and achieve victory.  The business brings much-needed recreation to Western Maine and has established a loyal following.  Read More

Acupuncture Clinic of Rhonda Feiman – Belfast, Maine

Rhonda Feiman, AcupuncturistLike many small business owners, Rhonda Feiman, acupuncturist, wonders how long it will be before her clinic experiences some level of normalcy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Concerns of safety, logistics, and compliance prevent Rhonda from reopening her practice to in-person care.  She’s been serving her clients through telehealth for several months, but a lack of personal contact left a void in her offerings and her bank account.Read More

COVID Stories: TuneTown Music Gear | Retail & Service

COVID has caused massive disruptions in the way we all do business. Businesses throughout Maine are finding unique and interesting ways to connect with their customers, find new revenue streams, and keep their businesses afloat. Want to share how your business is pivoting? Contact us here.

John and Pam Edwards - TuneTownJohn and Pam Edwards have owned TuneTown Music Gear for 16 years in Wells. They bring generations of musical industry experience with the vision of providing a positive and nurturing experience in music instruction, service, and sales. Their business features nine large state of the art lesson studios, a recording studio, and a live performance stage. In the showroom, they offer a selection of instruments, keyboards, amplification, PA and recording gear, audiovisual installations in schools, churches, and military bases, print music and accessories at competitive prices. TuneTown also provides repair and maintenance on instruments and electronics.Read More

COVID Stories: Wine Wise in Portland | Events & Experiences

COVID has caused massive disruptions in the way we all do business. Businesses throughout Maine are finding unique and interesting ways to connect with their customers, find new revenue streams, and keep their businesses afloat. Want to share how your business is pivoting? Contact us here.

Erica Archer - Wine Wise Owner Erica Archer owns Wine Wise. In normal times, Wine Wise provides wine, food, and spirit-based experiences. She and her team host group events that help connect customers to Maine’s vibrant food and beverage scene. Wine Wise hosts these wine and food events on sailboats and on walks through Portland’s bustling downtown. She also hosts trips to wine regions around the World.

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COVID Stories: My-FIT-24 in Gorham | Heath & Fitness

COVID has caused massive disruptions in the way we all do business. Businesses throughout Maine are finding unique and interesting ways to connect with their customers, find new revenue streams, and keep their businesses afloat. Want to share how your business is pivoting? Contact us here.

My-Fit-24 Logo Stacey and Jesse Coleman own My-FIT-24, a 24-hour fitness facility located in Gorham.  Started in 2007, My-FIT-24 provides access to fitness equipment, personal training, and group classes. The couple and their team are passionate about creating sustainable fitness solutions for their clients and community. Their programs are based on science to provide safe and effective workouts.Read More