Success Stories

Client Success Stories

International Resource Center – Portland, Maine

Paul Okot’s International Resource Center (IRC) in Portland offers high quality, timely language services such as translation, interpretation and tutoring. The services help people with things like job applications, medical appointments, immigration documents and more. His business has provided interpretation in places such as courtrooms, in hospitals, home visits, and group sessions.

Okot came to the Maine SBDC for business advising on marketing and promoting his business, and was paired with Business Advisor Tom Leach. Together, they’ve worked for two years, meeting regularly to discuss marketing IRC and continually developing his business to increase his sales.Read More

Howell’s Indoor Range & Gunshop – Gray, Maine

Adam Copp had big plans to expand Howell’s Indoor Range & Gun Shop. He wanted to double the size of the local gun retail shop through the addition of a state of the art indoor shooting range and an expansion of its retail showroom. Copp approached a credit union for financing, who liked the opportunity to help the business, and referred him to Maine SBDC Certified Master Business Advisor Brad Swanson to help him solidify his business plan and assess the feasibility of the concept.Read More

Client Highlight: Big Machias Lake Camps, LLC in Ashland, ME

If you call and schedule a hunting trip with Big Machias Lake Camps, LLC dba: Oxbow Outfitters, LLC (BMLC) you likely won’t notice a difference because Jeff Lavway, the new owner of BMLC, is the same person who has been managing the day to day operations of the business for the past two years. On May 30th, Lavway officially purchased the business from Jeff O’Connor of Pennsylvania. Lavway has worked as a licensed Maine Guide since 2005 operating his own company, Northern Experience Guide Service in Gardner Creek from 2005-2013. Upon selling his business Lavway went to work for BMLC, starting out as a guide and expanding his role each year until 2015 when he took over the operation of the business.Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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