Zhanpo (“Popo”) Lu wanted to bring more food variety to Waterville, and in May 2025, she did just that by opening the region’s first dedicated food truck park. The Waterville Food Truck Park features six rotating food trucks and operates seven days a week. It’s home to more than 20 vendors offering everything from Thai… Read more »
Posts Tagged: business planning
Lehoux Art – Wells
Danielle Lehoux launched Lehoux Art to create a more flexible and fulfilling path—one that could accommodate the ups and downs of managing a chronic health condition while pursuing creative fulfillment.
Café Luna – Falmouth
After living in Maine nearly 25 years, Juliann Joy identified a gap in the local dining scene and stepped up to fill it. She opened Café Luna on Route 1 in Scarborough in early 2024, creating a cozy spot for healthy breakfast and lunch options.
Commercial Leasing Tips for Small Business Owners
One of the final hurdles in starting your own business is finding a suitable location to hang your shingle. At the SBDC, we often see sole proprietors who have just begun their ventures working from home. However, we also work with micro-entrepreneurs (companies with less than 10 employees) who need to rent enough space to sell… Read more »
Owlbear’s Rest – Westbrook
For Patty and Matt, Maine is where they built their family and careers. Now, they are preparing to open their dream business. Owlbear’s Rest brings people together through great games, good food, and a welcoming community. With an extensive library of board and roleplaying games, cozy seating, and a thoughtfully crafted menu featuring local producers,… Read more »
Fore & Wharf – Portland
Dylan John and his fiancé Ellen turned their passion for style and community into Fore & Wharf, a boutique located in the heart of Portland. Specializing in thoughtfully curated men’s and women’s clothing, the shop embodies the charm and lifestyle of New England. Dylan’s vision was to create a store that celebrates coastal living while… Read more »
Choosing the Right Business Name
Part 7 of the “Things we wish we knew” blog series By: Tina Oddleifson, Business Advisor Your business name can be a cornerstone of a successful and memorable brand, or it can lead to unforeseen complications. For some clients, choosing the wrong name has resulted in administrative hassles, marketing missteps, and even cease-and-desist orders. To… Read more »
Gillies Law – Portland
Jennifer Gillies completed her law degree at the University of Maine before dedicating nearly 10 years to serving Maine’s immigrant community as an immigration attorney at a local firm. During her time at the University, Jennifer was introduced to immigration law through the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic, igniting her passion for assisting asylum seekers… Read more »
Dreamer Food – Bangor
Anik Derphilibossian is a Registered Nurse (RN), Armenian-born & raised in Lebanon, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 2021. She found herself missing the flavors and food of her homeland. With a love for cooking and encouragement from her fellow nurse and best friend Kara, Anik started sharing her culinary creations – first… Read more »
4Health Family Medicine – Windham
Su-Anne Hammond is a lifelong Mainer who has spent the last 20 years providing primary care to families in Southern Maine. She has always prioritized creating genuine doctor-patient relationships that allow her to treat the whole person. She envisioned opening her own private practice that would offer affordable, accessible, and direct care to patients. This… Read more »