Sam Perakis is the owner of Perakis Ironworks Group in Portland, where he specializes in architectural ironwork such as railings, fences, and gates. His work also includes sculpture, historical reproduction, repairs, and tool making. With a decade of blacksmithing experience and active membership in regional and national blacksmithing associations, Sam brings deep craft knowledge and… Read more »
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 »
After nearly two decades as an esthetician and over a decade practicing Reiki, Amanda Foster had long dreamed of opening her own business where she could combine her passions into a single healing space. She had a clear vision and a lifetime of skills but bringing it all together required support. At the recommendation of… Read more »
After working in telehealth and seeing firsthand how deeply COVID affected people’s mental well-being, Annette Williams knew she wanted to do more. When a friend offered her space to expand her practice, she launched Simply Breathe Therapy, a Lewiston-based counseling and consulting agency focused on helping individuals across Maine work through both current and historical… Read more »
After just one visit to Belgrade Lakes, Lyndee Waldbauer knew she had found something special. That moment led to a cross-country move, and eventually, the launch of The Belle of Belgrade. The concierge-style business curates extraordinary experiences that celebrate the beauty, creativity, and calm of lakeside Maine living.
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 »
When Winnie Ogweta opened Winnie’s Beauty Salon in South Portland, she set out to do more than style hair. As the first Black-owned salon in South Portland, and one of just a handful across Maine, her business represents an important milestone and a new opportunity. As a licensed hairstylist, Winnie wanted to create a space… Read more »
Ailish Kress has always had a passion for helping others. With a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Graduate Certificate in Adventure-based Counseling, she’s turning her passion into a career. Ailish set out to launch Ground Well Counseling, offering experiential counseling that integrates nature and therapy through garden-based techniques. Her innovative approach helps… Read more »
Amy Brown, a dedicated nurse practitioner from South Portland, Maine, has always been passionate about healthcare. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she dreamed of providing more personalized and comprehensive care to her patients. This dream led her to establish MainelyNP Primary Care, a direct primary care practice offering a subscription-based model… Read more »
Originally from Haiti, Ismael Thadal immigrated to Maine in 2007. He met Molly Hodgkins, a Maine native, in 2014, and they bonded over their shared love of ice cream. Ismael and Molly began making ice cream at home, working on perfecting their unique recipes with the help of friends, family, and community members who served… Read more »
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