Short answer: Yes, but probably not in the way you think. One of the most common questions we hear at the Maine SBDC is: “How do I get a grant to start or grow my business?” It’s an understandable question. During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments distributed billions of dollars in grants to help businesses survive… Read more »
Posts Tagged: CEI
Moose Country Graphics – New Sharon
Linda Lidstone turned a practical need into a growing business when she could not find affordable, customizable logo wear for her husband’s logging company. Moose Country Graphics began when Linda set out to create apparel in smaller quantities. Today, the New Sharon business provides embroidery, printed apparel, logo design, business cards, signs, banners, decals, and… Read more »
Maine SBDC Recognizes Newly Certified Business Advisors
The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a state-wide program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, recognized two business advisors who received their Core Competencies Certification from the New England Professional Development (NEPD) group on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Newly certified advisors include Chase Nelson (Maine SBDC) and Jodi Cordes (CEI’s Women’s Business… Read more »
Interstate Bowling Center & Town Line Sports Grille – Hallowell
Donna Oliver & her husband, Hurley, are longtime bowling enthusiasts with 25+ years of experience working in the industry – having met at the original Interstate Bowling Center in 2000. When the owner of Sparetime Recreation and Ground Round Sports Grille in Hallowell decided he wanted to retire, Donna was the perfect fit to take… Read more »
Cadillac Mtn. Summit Shuttle – Bar Harbor
The best business ideas solve a problem for their customers and Ellen Finn of Cadillac Mtn. Summit Shuttle definitely does that! She has lived and worked as a local tour guide on Mount Desert Island for many years, just outside Acadia National Park. A few years ago, the National Park System instituted a reservation system… Read more »
1 Earth Composting – Hampden
Katie Saunders, NP-C, is a primary care provider (or family nurse practitioner) and an environmental activist. Her husband, Matt Saunders, was a professional chef for over 20 years and is now a stay-at-home dad to their 3 children. Their backgrounds in farming, food, and environmental activism led them to start 1 Earth Composting, a residential… Read more »
Sculpture Hospitality of Maine – Portland
Phillip Badger has 17 years of experience in the bar/restaurant industry, working his way through each front-of-house position. And though he loves the bar/restaurant world, he’s not a big fan of the late hours so he’s spent the last few years consulting. Having set down roots in Southern Maine he’s ready to share his expertise… Read more »
Sixberry Solutions – Skowhegan
Making the transition to digital marketing has not been easy, especially for rural Maine. With a lack of internet infrastructure and old-school mentalities, small businesses need to be inventive with their marketing strategies. Noah and Ashley Sixberry know this all too well, both having grown up in Maine. So they started Sixberry Solutions in 2020… Read more »
MotoResto – Portland
Krystal Stone and Andrew Furbush came to the Maine SBDC in June of 2021. Andrew, a knowledgeable mechanic with a passion for antique and classic car restoration and Krystal who is great with managing all of the aspects of the auto business wanted to start their own company, MotoResto, LLC. At that time, they were… Read more »
Peace, Love, Waffles – Dover-Foxcroft
Michael Begley was the 5th generation to work at the restaurant his father’s family owned and operated. So when his mother pitched the idea of a waffle-themed restaurant, he knew it would be worth moving to Maine to help with! In the fall of 2019, they got started in their first location. However, COVID quickly… Read more »