Your Guiding Light

After years of practicing in a large medical facility, Cortney Muldoon was struggling with the role insurance played in providing care. Wanting to directly address her patient's needs, she launched her own private practice based on a Direct Primary Care Model. With the help of the SBDC, she worked on her business plan, developed a set of financial projections, negotiated her debt structure, and closed on the loan needed to purchase her building and launch her practice. Cortney's patients now have direct access to the care they need, without the concerns of payment, insurances, out-of-pocket deductions, or the myriad of complicating factors in today’s medical field.

Karen Rasmussen and Manny Peña, owners of Taco Trio, a Mexican Restaurant, are a community staple. When they outgrew their first location, a perfect opportunity to expand presented itself. They worked closely with the SBDC to develop financial projections for the new space and understand a complicated debt & equity structure with many moving parts. Their projections were critical to the lenders’ loan approval decisions. Ultimately, they launched a brand-new restaurant space and a boutique inn.

Clint Deschene connected with the SBDC to create a new foundation and convert a hotel into a co-working space and upscale lodging for business travelers. Together they created a solid business plan and cash flow projections, securing over a million dollars of financed and grant capital. They have since jointly advised businesses and potential start-ups in the region, and Ignite Presque Isle (PI) has continued to solidify the entrepreneurial success of Northern Maine.

of Maine SBDC clients are 35 years or younger, helping to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs

Brian Beland of KV Tooling and the SBDC have worked together for years to create a thriving business that produces tooling to meet a wide variety of industrial needs, including those used in the production of COVID tests. When the pandemic hit, growth plans were put on hold to focus on the more immediate need for relief funding through the PPP and EIDL programs. This funding made it possible for the business to retain employees and ultimately continue toward the planned expansion. The new space features more space and state-of-the-art machinery. Brain commented, “Every time I am unsure of something I go to [my advisor] first and he always delivers from his wealth of business knowledge.”

Wild Cow Creamery, a small-batch ice cream shop, is a summer favorite. When the pandemic hit, the options look dire for this seasonal business. For years business owners Sarah Wilder and Ryan Cowan have worked with the SBDC on expansions, financials, business plans, and more. Unclear of a path forward, they reached out to the SBDC once again. Working together they received COVID relief funds from multiple programs, including the EIDL and RRF, and were able to update their spaces to remain open. They comment, "Our business couldn’t have made it through the pandemic without the Maine SBDC.”

Temple Cinema in Houlton is one of the oldest movie theatres in Maine. When the pandemic hit, owner Charlie Fortier worked with the SBDC to find ways to offset losses. Working together, Fortier was awarded several grants from the State of Maine and the SBA's SVOG. He comments, “[The SBDC] was instrumental in connecting my business with grant programs....we were relieved to be able to stay afloat, and have recently opened back up to the public thanks to this support.”

Kareem Dieng, an active soldier in the United States Army Reserve, fused his love of adventure and his experience leading groups in the outdoors to create Rising Sun Adventure Tours. He worked with the SBDC through potential problem areas related to the setup, funding, and marketing of his new business. He is now successfully leading bike tours that focus on experiencing the beauty of Acadia National Park and surrounding areas and has committed to sharing 3% of profits with local nonprofits.

"I feel so lucky to have been partnered with [my business advisor] and have her support and advice throughout this whole process. I can’t say enough good things about [her] and SBDC as a whole. Their services are priceless and small businesses are so lucky to have them as a resource.”
– Hallye Anderson, Game Fish Guide Service

Branden Densmore is using his journey through recovery and a near-death experience to develop Gathering Minds Media, a coaching and consulting business for others in recovery who want to start and grow businesses. He’d worked with the SBDC in the past when he was referred through the state's Vocational Rehabilitation Self Employment Program. Creating a business plan with financial projections, a market analysis, and his value proposition led to approval for funding for necessary technology.