When Paige Wilcox and her husband Mike first opened Wilcox Wellness & Fitness six years ago, they worked extensively with Maine SBDC business advisor Tom Gallant. Tom helped the Wilcox’s to create a business plan in order to obtain the necessary financing which allowed them to open the doors of their 4,000 square foot facility in Bangor. Tom challenged them to think through the value proposition and the transition process. With that, they were set up for success from the beginning. Paige remembers, “Tom was amazing for us – 1 part business advisor, 2 parts marriage counselor, and 100% amazing.”Read More
Wilcox Wellness & Fitness – Bangor & Brunswick, Maine
Herbal Revolution – Union, Maine
Kathi Langelier is the founder and formulator of Herbal Revolution. Herbal Revolution is a wellness products business that provides handcrafted, high quality herbal teas, tonics and elixirs. For over 20 years, Kathi has been farming and formulating botanical medicine and has a deep love for the natural world. Based in mid-coast Maine, she grows non GMO, pesticide and chemical free herbs that are used in products on her certified organic farm.Read More
Time & Tide Coffee – Biddeford, Maine
Jon Phillips and Briana Campbell had long dreamed of starting their own coffee company. The New York-based couple had the perfect combination of skills. Jon had experience in all aspects of the coffee business while Briana brought the branding and marketing expertise. They dreamed of a place where they could offer the best beans, sourced by people Jon had met in his coffee travels, in a beautiful, modern environment. Read More
The Village Woodworker – Oxford, Maine
As Brian Warren approached his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, his father-in-law Robert Roakes, the owner of The Village Woodworker, was ready to retire too. Warren had been working alongside Roakes for ten years and talked with him about carrying on his woodworking legacy, which led to the opportunity to purchase the woodworking business from his father-in-law. The business, The Village Woodworker, has been in the family for nearly 65 years and is known for their unique designs and quality artisanship. The Village Woodworker makes custom designed furniture and specialize in state of the art, handcrafted hardwood stools.
Brian reached out to Maine SBDC Business Advisor Ashleigh Briggs for assistance in understanding the process of buying a business. Together Ashleigh and Brian reviewed the business’s financial statements and various methodologies for valuing a business, so the seller and buyer could settle on a fair price. After settling on a purchase price with his father-in-law, Brian worked with Ashleigh to develop a business plan and supporting financial projections to be able to apply for a loan to complete the sale.Read More
Farmington D – Farmington, Maine
Rachel Jackson is no stranger in the restaurant scene in Western Maine. She has operated two other restaurants in the area, and for years has dreamed of opening another in the Farmington area. Rachel began working with Business Advisor Larry Giroux as she explored her options and next steps in making this dream a reality.Read More
Surf & Summit Motorcycle – Scarborough, Maine
Steven Salois came to see Maine SBDC Business Advisor Peter Harriman with a novel business idea. He wanted to start a motorcycle rental business in Southern Maine. This business would be much like car rentals for travelers, but for motorcycles. This type of business is uncommon, and Steven saw a need for Maine tourists who could not bring their own motorcycle but wanted to rent one.Read More
Carmichael Transport Inc. – Bangor, Maine
Mickey Carmichael and his business Carmichael Transport Inc. have provided services to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for almost 40 years in the Bangor area. Recently, the USPS changed the way they award mail routes, with the consolidation of smaller routes into larger contracts. For the northern Maine Region, this meant there would only be two contracts out of the Hampden service center – for Region A and Region B. Mickey knew this could be an opportunity to expand his business and wanted to make sure he thoroughly understood the bidding process. For assistance, he turned to the Maine SBDC and met with Business Advisor Ann McAlhany.Read More
Rockwood Cottages – Rockwood, Maine
Rockwood Cottages consists of 7 two bedroom cottages situated on the western shore of Moosehead Lake in Rockwood, Maine. The cottages feature all the comforts of home and overlook the lake and popular Mt. Kineo, a majestic mountain that arises out of the water forming a sheer 700-foot cliff.
With a motto of “A stranger is just a friend we haven’t met yet,” the business had been built based on quality customer service and experience. When the business owners decided to retire in 2017, they looked to sell to someone who would take care of their customers and the business which they’d worked hard to build for many years. With experience in the cabin rental and property management business, they found the perfect match in Emily and Dennis Bodemer.Read More
David Jacobson Glass – Montville, Maine
David Jacobson has worked with Maine SBDC Business Advisor David Hill since 2004. Jacobson, a successful cartoonist and glass blower, had just moved to Maine from New York City and wanted to establish his own studio in Montville.Read More
Village Market – Carmel, Maine
The Village Market has stood in the heart of the Town of Carmel for over 70 years. After being closed for five years, Jamey Brown and his wife Raquel came to Business Advisor Ann McAlhany with a dream to purchase and re-open a local market. Read More