Success Stories

Client Success Stories

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

COVID Stories: Acacia House Inn in Bar Harbor | Lodging & Hospitality

Acacia House Inn Bar Harbor - maine sbdcCOVID 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.

Anna Durand and her husband own Acacia House Inn located in downtown Bar Harbor. Housed in a 10th-century building, this classic B&B features 9 rooms with soft linens, private baths, hardwood floors, and some with balconies. Full breakfast is served every morning with local ingredients.Read More

Sealander Architects – Ellsworth, Maine

Sealander Architects logoMike Sealander and his wife Robyn have been running their business, Sealander Architects, since 2007. Sealander Architects is an architecture and interior design firm specializing in well-designed environments that allow people to do their best work.  They design buildings to reflect an organization’s mission and culture, and strive to design places where people can thrive.Read More

Spa Voyage – Biddeford, ME

Spa voyage logoEliza Conley-Lepene had a dream. She wanted to start a spa in Southern Maine. Not just any spa, she wanted to create a high-end, Hawaiian-themed experience that helped her customers escape and relax.

Eliza - Spa VoyageEliza was experienced in her practice but had never started her own business. For assistance in these uncharted waters, she worked with Raynor Large, business advisor at the Maine SBDC at Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments. Raynor helped Eliza as she pitched her idea as part of the Maine Center for Entrepreneur’s Top Gun program. He helped her with her business plan and financial projections.Read More

The Cutting Edge Hair & Tanning Salon – Presque Isle, ME

Cutting Edge LogoWhen Karen Cox stopped her car at a stoplight on Main Street in Presque Isle, she knew that the former GiftSmart location would be the ideal place to begin her own hair and tanning salon.

“I actually wasn’t looking to start a business. I was pretty content with where I was,” Cox said. “But then I looked over at this building and it seemed like the perfect location.”Read More

The Mustard Seed Bookstore – Bath, Maine

 

Six years ago, Julie and Mike Shea approached Maine SBDC with a dream. They wanted to purchase a small bookstore in downtown Bath. They reached out to Brad Swanson, a business advisor at the Maine SBDC at CEI, for assistance in developing a business plan and financing proposal.

Julie and Mike worked diligently with Brad to make sure each aspect of the plan was carefully thought through and that the financial projections were realistic and obtainable. Securing the financing they needed, the couple opened their dream business, The Mustard Seed Bookstore, in February 2015.Read More

C.W. Hunt Photography – Ellsworth, Maine

Charles Hunt C.W. Photography behind the cameraCharles Hunt has always had a passion and natural talent for photography. When he decided he wanted to make it his career, Charles worked through the Vocational Rehabilitation program to get connected with  Shannon Byers, a business advisor with the Maine SBDC hosted at CEI. Charles, who has autism, was determined to start his own business.Read More

Illuminated Me – South Portland, Maine

Illuminate Me logoSharon Herrick, business owner, modeling her jewelrySharon Herrick started her jewelry business Illuminated Me to honor the unique elements that define us. Inspired by history and nature, her jewelry is designed to help us feel elevated, empowered and adored. Each piece of jewelry is locally sourced and intricately created by hand. Sharon has collaborations with Anthony Manfredonia, a New York-based luxury fashion brand, and Venn + Maker, an online retail business that features carefully curated handmade goods.Read More

Dandelion Catering – Yarmouth, Maine

Dandelion Catering Logo

For ten years, Dandelion Catering has been providing fresh, quality prepared food that celebrates the local resources that Maine and New England have to offer. The business had
experienced a surge in growth due to their focus on top-shelf service and creative, attractive food offerings. Business the garrison Logoowners Christian and Christine Hayes had big plans to scale up the operation and reached out to Brad Swanson, business advisor at the Maine SBDC at CEI, for guidance.Read More

True North Beauty – Milo, Maine

True North Beauty LogoHeather Lux was disappointed with the skincare products on the market. She wanted a natural, effective, and luxurious product that would help her skin look its best. This is why she created True North Beauty.

True North Beauty is a blossoming skincare and lifestyle brand that utilizes the unique benefits of Chaga, a wild Maine mushroom. Chaga grows on birch trees in cold weather climates and is especially prominent in Northern New England. It is known for its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties and is dense in anti-oxidants. True North utilizes a patent-pending process to extract these diverse properties to create a Chaga Infused Formula™. The formula reduces acne and redness, helps with fine lines, boosts elasticity and collagen, and helps repair sun damage.Read More