Monday, January 13, 2014

Eastern Maine Development Corporation January Newsflash


In This Issue
New Business Development Specialist for EMDC
Schooner Bay Motor Inn
Business Spotlight: Serenity Center of Maine
Upcoming Events
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EMDC Business Services Grows 

EMDC recently hired Kent Quiet as a Business Development Specialist. EMDC Business Development Specialists work closely with the region's small businesses to connect them with resources that can help them succeed, and eventually, grow. Quiet brings nearly 20 years experience in sales and business development to his position with EMDC. Most recently he worked as a Maine representative for Massachusetts based Glacial Energy. He joins current Business Development Specialist, Janet Toth and will be based in our 40 Harlow Street office in Bangor. 
"Adding Kent to our staff allows us to increase the number of businesses we can help," EMDC President Michael Aube said. "Our Business Services program is experiencing significant increases, which is a great sign for Maine businesses and for our economy."

EMDC is one of Maine's leading secondary lenders for small businesses, working in partnership with public and private organizations, to secure capital for Maine businesses. Funding from EMDC can be used for a number of purposes including refinancing, real estate or equipment purchases, and other uses.

To learn more about the services available from EMDC, businesses should contact bizservices@emdc.org or call (207) 974-3243 or visit EMDC online at www.emdc.org  
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EMDC New Client:
Schooner Bay Motor Inn


The Schooner Bay Motor Inn on Rockland's Commercial Street is under new ownership and has joined the growing list of EMDC Client Businesses.
 
Thanks to a lending partnership between EMDC, The First bank and the U.S. Small Business Administration, new owner Scott Perry was able to purchase the 17 year-old, 23 room, seasonal motel in the heart of Mid-Coast Maine.
A short drive from popular destinations like Camden and Rockport, the Schooner Bay Motor Inn is known for it's unique combination of hotel like privacy and bed and breakfast feel.
While the property is currently closed for the season, Perry and his staff are taking reservations for the upcoming May-November operating season. Additional information about the property and online reservations are available on the motel's website,www.sbaymotorinn.com or by calling 888.308.8855 or locally, 236-2205.
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Business Spotlight
Serenity Center of Maine          

EMDC works with hundreds of businesses in Eastern Maine and across our state. Our business, lending and workforce clients come from a wide range of industries and represent businesses of all sizes. In the Business Spotlight, EMDC Essentials shares their stories of success.

Carol (Cookson) Chapman, owner of Serenity Center of Maine in Bangor, worked in human services for more than 40 years. When she decided to go back to school to earn her Master's degree in Counseling, she was determined to spread her wings. Prior to earning her Master's, much of Chapman's career had been as a case manager. Going back to school inspired her to open her own business.

Serenity Center of Maine focuses on counseling for mental health and substance abuse. Chapman works with a wide range of clientele and her services focus on the mind, body, and spirit. "When I went back to school, I knew there was so much more I could do with myself. It was then I knew I wanted to open my own business and make my services available to those who needed it," explains Chapman.

In order to get a business started, Chapman explored her options and realized she had to focus on the financial aspect. She talked with EMDC's Business Services department to acquire a loan and create a business plan. From day one she was able to clearly see what the future of her business would like, Chapman shared. "I was able to create a realistic business plan, succeed and exceed with this plan."

The business has been operating for a year and a half and by word of mouth she has been able to expand her clientele in a short period of time. "I started with one full-time client, today I have 18 and my goal is 22," she said.

"The financing process was a lot more intense then I originally thought, but it was all worth it! I can't thank EMDC enough. Without them this would've been impossible," Chapman said. "It was an eye-opening experience into where I want my business to go and what I want my business to look like. I am currently learning ways to help my business grow and expand." Since opening her own business, Chapman was able to move to a larger work facility with more space and hopes to expand her business by hiring a secretary and a cleaning crew.

For more information on services available from Carol Chapman, please contact (207) 659-3408.    
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Upcoming Events 
Opportunities to Network in Eastern Maine 
  

Networking
Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Annual Breakfast 2014 
We invite you to attend the Annual Business Breakfast with a special keynote address by Daniel Corcoran, president and general manager of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Maine: The Affordable Care Act: Transformation of an Industry

Tuesday, January 14; 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Morgan Hill Events Center
82 Morgan Hill Ln, Hermon, ME  04401 

Click here to register online or for more information contact Marcia Baker by calling 947-0307. 

Fees/Admission:
Members $20
Non-Members $25
Corporate Table Sponsor  $350
Corporate Half-Table Sponsor $175 

Ellsworth Chamber Business After Hours 
The members of Lygonia Lodge invite you to stop in and see their new facility and share an evening of Camaraderie, Fellowship and Friendship.

Thursday, January 16; 5:00-7:00 pm
Lygonia Lodge is located at 140 Bucksport Road, directly across the street from Twilite Motel.

Refreshments by Big Cats Catering 
Door prizes 

Please RSVP the Chamber at 667-5584 or by emaileaccdesk@gmail.com 
 
Enrichment
Record Keeping For Profit: Part I and II
Sponsored/Presented by:University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Financial records are an important management tool for the business owner. These three-hour, hands-on workshops are designed to help small and home-based business owners learn the basic principles of single entry record keeping and how to apply these principles to the day-to-day operation of their businesses.

Workshop participants will explore the components of a successful record keeping system, identify and learn about key business records and types of expenses, and learn how to record revenue and expense items.

Recommended for small and home-based businesses.

Wednesday, January 15    
9:00 A.M. to Noon
Hancock County Extension Office
Cost: FREE
FMI: 207-667-8212 or 800-287-1479 (in Maine) or emailjoyce.fortier@maine.edu
 

MaineStream Finance - Business 101   Thinking of starting a business? MaineStream Finance is offering five sessions of
Business 101 in January, including live sessions in Bangor, Dover-Foxcroft, and Lincoln. This one-hour workshop provides an overview of the pros and cons of operating a small business and provides helpful tools and resources to people considering starting or expanding their businesses! Classes are free but we ask that you please register at least one day in advance on the registration page. Classes will be led by Microenterprise Consultant James Macomber.

Location & Dates:
Online: Monday, January 13th at 6:30 p.m.
Online: Tuesday, January 14th at 10:00 a.m.
Live in Bangor: 
Tuesday, January 14th at 6 p.m., Penquis, 262 Harlow Street, Bangor

Live in Dover-Foxcroft:
Monday, Jan. 27th at 6 p.m., Penquis, 50 North Street, Dover-Foxcroft

Live in Lincoln:
Thursday, Jan. 30th at 6 p.m., Penquis, 40A Main Street, Lincoln

MaineStream Finance is a non-profit community development financial institution and a subsidiary of Penquis CAP. We provide credit, capital, and technical assistance to help Maine residents achieve their small business and home ownership goals. Please contact Denise St. Peter at 974-2409 or dstpeter@penquis.org if you have any questions about the workshops or if you would like to register by phone.

Basics of Starting a Business

This 9-hour class covers the basics of a business plan, marketing, cash planning and is suitable for those thinking about or in the early start-up phase of a new business. It will help you assess the feasibility, desirability, and viability of your business idea and get you started with your plan.
Note: The Basics curriculum was developed in partnership with the Women's Business Center at CEI.

Wednesdays, February 5 to February 19; 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
UMA-Bangor, Bangor Hall
1 University Drive, Bangor ME, 04401

Registration/More Info
To register, call Jane Searles, 262-7843, or emailmary.jane.searles@maine.edu