Success Stories

Client Success Stories

Dancing Jaguar Inspirations, LLC. – Waterville, Maine

By: Business Owner Eva Goulette
Eva Goulette is the owner of Dancing Jaguar Inspirations, which seeks to empower children to connect to their authentic selves through a mix of ancient traditions, nature experiences, and modern holistic techniques. They host a five-day summer program for children ages 5-10, which offers a myriad of ways to explore, express and honor Spirit. For more info, visit Dancing Jaguar Inspirations or follow them on Facebook!

In January of 2017, my company, Dancing Jaguar Inspirations, LLC received a loan in the amount of $5,000 to be paid back over an extended period of time.  I have no doubt that the reason I received the loan is because of all of the work I have done with Janet Roderick over the past two years. 

Janet helped me focus on my business plan, to really understand the scope of what I was trying to birth into the world, and gently guided me when my vision was starting to steer off course.  With her constant attention to detail and my passion for the work I do, we have created a strong team to continue taking the steps necessary to develop and maintain a successful business.Read More

KV Tooling Systems, LLC – Augusta, Maine

By: Business Owner Brian Beland
Brian Beland is the owner of KV Tooling Systems located in Augusta, Maine. KV Tooling Systems provides the finest quality carbide cutting tools and sharpening services to manufacturing companies throughout New England. For more information, visit their website!

I started my cutting tool manufacturing business in 2001 in my basement with zero revenue. Brad was there right form the start to encourage me and help me to manage and grow. Since then, we have moved to our own facility in the Kennebec Valley, grown to 5 employees and $500K in annual revenue. Working with Brad has been extremely helpful to me since I did not have any previous business and financial management experience. I now have the confidence and expertise to continue to grow and thrive here in Central Maine. With SBDC we are ready to take it to the next level! I don’t know where we would be without SBDC and Brad!

I can recall working with Brian from the start when he was in the basement and his wife’s day care was upstairs – he had a vision of what he wanted to do and the determination and drive to make it happen. Hard to believe that he has trusted me to help him grow for 16 years – that’s amazing! – Brad Swanson, Maine SBDC Business Advisor

 

Client Highlight: Maine Milling, LLC – Blue Hill, Maine

WHAT IS OLD IS NEW AGAIN:

Foster and Loretta Smith of Blue Hill are fourth generation Mainers.  Their family business Maine Milling, LLC was born recently when they purchased from a retired woodsman a radial mill that makes clapboards in the “old style.”  Clapboards from this mill were used in the Paul Revere House in Boston when it was recently restored.

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Client Highlight: Maine BayCycle

Maine BayCycleNeil Kinner, a Peaks Island native, came into the Maine SBDC after spending a summer in Portland, Oregon. There, he had captained a pedal-powered paddle boat, and wanted to bring this unique concept to Casco Bay in Portland, Maine. New to Maine and New England, the business would feature 10 pedal stations with seats for four more and would be entirely human powered, with a small solar powered back up motor in case of emergency.

With idea in hand, he needed financing in order to purchase the boat, and bring it to Maine. For this he sought out the assistance of Maine SBDC Business Advisor Peter Harriman. Together the pair worked to create a realistic business plan and projected financials. They worked on his narrative, timeline, marketing plan and the many aspects required to launch this unique business – hoping for a summer 2016 launch, the peak tourist season in Portland.

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Client Highlight: Izzy’s Cheesecake │ Portland, ME

Izzy's CheesecakeDavid “Izzy” Izenstatt, founder of Izzy’s Cheesecakes, has been making high quality, hand crafted cheesecakes since 1985. Made in small batches, the company makes 37 flavors of cheesecakes include gluten-free and seasonal options.

When Izenstatt’s business partner Jim Chamoff came into the Maine SBDC, he was looking to expand the business. He wanted to start making and selling “mini” cheesecakes to convenience stores and Whole Foods Market. He needed capital in order to ramp up production, including design and packaging of the new mini cheesecakes.Read More

Client Highlight: CrossFit Bangor │ Bangor, ME

CrossFit BangorMelinda Metten does it all. A firefighter at the Bangor Fire Department and a boom operator in the United States Air National Guard, Metten opened CrossFit Bangor in June 2011. It wasn’t long before CrossFit Bangor’s reputation spread and membership increased, putting her at capacity in her current location. She had begun turning away business because to add new members would negatively impact the quality of service to the existing members.

Always a problem-solver, Metten had found a larger space that would be ideal for growing the business, but she needed financing in order to secure the location. Her lender at EMDC (Eastern Maine Development Corporation) suggested she work with Maine SBDC Business Advisor Ann McAlhany to help her with the documents and paperwork necessary to apply for a loan.Read More

Client Highlight: Tulu Salon & Spa

Tulu Salon - Biddeford, METerra Olson worked for a high end salon and spa in Portland for years, but knew that there were other opportunities out there.  One opportunity she noted was the lack of a high end salon south of Portland.  She went to the Maine SBDC office in Saco and met with Business Advisor Steve Lovejoy.  That was the beginning of Tulu Salon & Spa on Main Street in Biddeford.  Olson worked with Lovejoy to develop the plans for the new salon. Read More

Client Highlight: XPress Copy – Portland

logoIn July 2016, Todd Kent came into see Maine SBDC Business Advisor Steve Lovejoy looking to purchase XPress Copy, an independent printing and copying shop in Portland that’s been in business since 1978. When the current owner decided to retire, he turned to Kent to take over and purchase the business. Kent had been an employee for over 25 years and had been managing the business.

Lovejoy helped Kent with his business plan and financial analysis and projections for the purchase of the business. He helped connect him with Bangor Savings Bank, where he presented his business plan.  Kent obtained his financing, and took over ownership in October 2016. Read More

Client Highlight: Verona Wine and Design

Verona Wine and DesignWhen Colleen and Michael Gross of Verona Island originally came to see Business Advisor Betty Egner, they had owned their business, Verona Wine and Design, for two years.  Already successful in their current format, an online business selling items made from repurposed wine barrels, they wanted to expand on their love for wine and wine-inspired items – they wanted to open a retail wine shop and a wine and tapas bar on Main Street in Bucksport.

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