Posts Tagged: starting a business

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 »

MainelyNP Primary Care – South Portland

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 »

Maine Coast Creamery – Winslow

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 »

Eido Bar Company – Winslow

Eido Bar Company's bar trailer with Business Owner Rochelle Albert inside

Rochelle Albert has spent years honing her craft in bartending and catering, learning the ins and outs of creating memorable experiences and delicious cocktails. In 2023, her priorities shifted significantly when she gave birth to her son. As a single mother, she wanted to find a way to be with her son full-time and provide… Read more »

Acadia Insulation – Lewiston

Acadia Insulation logo on white truck with two men standing in front

After years of working for a large insulation contractor, Wesley (Wes) Grover decided it was time to start his own business. He was dissatisfied with the profit-driven approach of his previous employer. A US Army veteran, Wes wanted to prioritize customer service and employee well-being in his own venture, aiming to build a workplace culture… Read more »

New England Iron Pollo – Bangor

The orange food truck of New England Iron Pollo

When Alberto Mateo moved to Maine in 2022, he brought extensive experience in the food industry. After experiencing Maine’s popularity as a foodie state, Alberto wanted to start a business that celebrated Maine’s rich history as the former chicken capital of the world (a commonly forgotten fact) and also incorporated his heritage with Caribbean Latino… Read more »

Hurt & Co – Scarborough

Three health specialists from Hurt & Co

Melinda Hurt has been a physical therapist for over a decade and a business co-owner for several years. As she considered her future, she wanted something more and decided it was time to start out on her own. Melinda knew she’d need help navigating the complexities of transitioning away from her partnership and support bringing… Read more »

How to Reach Your Customers

Decorative imagery - hand with magnifying glass over wooden cutouts of people - identifying target market

Part 4 of the “Things we wish we knew” Blog series By: Tina Oddleifson, Business Advisor   “If you market to everyone, you’ll market to no one”  – Famous Marketing Guru As business advisors, we review a lot of business plans. One thing we see regularly are marketing plans with vague references to social media… Read more »

Create realistic financial projections

Part of a financial spreadsheet with pen and calculator

Part 3 of the “Things we wish we knew” Blog series By: Tina Oddleifson, Business Advisor   We get it, you’re an artist, a baker, or love working on cars.  You’ve decided to start a business doing what you love, and you plan to let someone else worry about the financial details later.   But when… Read more »