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 & Steven worked together to fine-tune his business plan and understand the financial viability of the vision. Read More
Midcoast Comics – Brunswick
Pumpkin Patch Preschool & Child Care – Baldwin
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 explore a myriad of options – starting from scratch, buying existing centers of various sizes, to leasing. The tight real estate market proved to be another hurdle, with multiple opportunities falling through in the negotiating process. Throughout it all, Monique kept her eyes on her goal – being the Director of her own Center, so that she was truly the beneficiary of her hard work and care. Read More
Portland Yoga Collective – Portland
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 yoga instructor and has been teaching classes for the last couple of years in the Providence and Boston area. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher certification to share her love of movement with others. “My classes involve building strength, trying new things, laughing, falling down and getting back up.” All things we, small business owners included, need to learn to do more flexibly. Read More
Fryeburg Kitchen and Market – Fryeburg
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 to open a dual restaurant and market. He explored several options before settling on a property in Fryeburg, and when he approached Franklin Savings Bank for financing he was referred to the Maine SBDC for help with his application. Read More
TuneTown Music Gear – Wells
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. In the showroom, they offer a selection of instruments, keyboards, amplification, PA and recording gear, print music and accessories at competitive prices. Audio visual installations have been designed and completed in schools, churches, restaurants and Pease AFB. TuneTown also provides repairs and maintenance on most instruments and some electronics. Read More
Lucinda’s Day Spa & Hair Studio – Cumberland
Marissa Elliott has worked at Lucinda’s Day Spa & Hair Studio for nine years, both in management and as an aesthetician, and recently had the unique opportunity to step into the owner’s shoes, as the owner looked to retire. However, the transition itself – putting together financial projections, negotiating the lease, purchase price, and gift card liability holdover, and obtaining the commercial loan – was complicated, with many factors to consider. She worked closely with Maine SBDC at CEI Business Advisor Raynor Large to carefully think through her options and make sure the business was able to both handle its seasonal fluctuations and service the debt. Read More
West Maquoit Vinegar Works – Brunswick
Making our resources known and accessible to the small business owners of Maine is a goal of the Maine SBDC, so we love seeing our business advisors customize the help their clients need! We work with all stages of business to help them understand and apply our help. Like Brad Messier and Elizabeth Guilbault, of West Maquoit Vinegar Works, who have been making small-batch craft vinegar in Brunswick Maine, since 2018. Their vinegars are unique in flavors and focused on quality ingredients, many of which they source locally. Their business has now become a full-time job for Brad who sought out help in strategically scaling up while still working full time. He connected with Maine SBDC at CEI Business Advisors Brad Swanson who helped him identify marketing gaps, specifically with digital marketing, eCommerce, and packaging. Swanson then introduced Messier to fellow Maine SBDC at CEI Business Advisor Jenn Stein, who specializes in hospitality and food businesses, so they could dive even deeper. Read More
Ignite PI – Presque Isle
Clint Deschene began 2020 at MSAD #1 as their Business Manager. As a Rotarian and a staple Presque Isle community member, Clint was no stranger to Central Aroostook and the challenges and opportunities in the region. After a visit with the philanthropic Rodney & Mary Smith Family Foundation, it was clear that Clint would make a transition to formally serve the entrepreneurial community in Presque Isle. After several calls with community stakeholders, Clint got to work with Northern Maine Development Commission, a Certified Community Development Financial Institution and the host of Maine SBDC @ NMDC to create a new foundation and acquire the Northeastland Hotel to convert into a business co-working space and upscale lodging facility for business travelers. Read More
West Bay Lawn Care – Gouldsboro
John Davis was thinking about starting a business and reached out to the Maine Small Business Development Center for some guidance. He began the business as a side hustle doing jobs with his tractor and partnering with another person doing lawn care. Fast forward two years and John is the owner of West Bay Lawn Care and is running a successful business serving Hancock and Washington Counties. Read More
Mackenzie’s Mannered Mutts – Kenduskeag
When Mackenzie MacDougal came to Maine SBDC at CEI Business Advisor Alison Lane, she had a big dream! She knew she loved working with dogs from her experience at a local kennel and felt like she was ready to branch out on her own to offer in-home dog training. She was inspired by a mentor who started their own animal-based business with little to no actual business knowledge and felt like she was ready to take the same plunge. The fact that she had no idea how to start but was ready to hit the ground running only highlighted her true entrepreneurial spirit! Read More