MWBC Stories

PURSUING PASSION LEADS TO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS VENTURE

In a leap of faith, Shanna Wheelock and her husband, a poet, moved to Lubec, Maine, in 2001.  They moved into their grandfather’s vacant home in a wooded glade, where they both found the beauty of nature and the solitude conducive to making art. 

A few years later Shanna, who was teaching art in the public school, began to sell wheel-thrown cups, bowls and vases at her home studio in the summer.  However, faced with a possible cutback in her position in 2009, she contacted WBC Downeast Business Counselor Ruth Cash-Smith to explore ways to grow her art business, Cobscook Pottery and Fiber Arts.  

Meeting quarterly to review progress and envision next steps, Shanna has learned the value of business planning, goal setting, and marketing--evidenced by achieving a sales growth of 100% in just two years.

“When I reviewed last year’s accomplishments with my business counselor,” Shanna said, “I saw I’d really forged ahead. I designed new products, improved my signage, kept the shop open more consistently, tracked sales, vended at a few select fairs, exhibited my work at three new venues, maintained my blog regularly, and was featured in American Craft, a national art publication.” 

In between part-time teaching and working in her art studio and shop, Shanna also carves out time to pursue an MFA at Heartwood College of Art, where she pours her political passion into creating ceramic art. 

“I am proud of more fully embracing life as an artist,” Shanna reflects. “I find that when I stay receptive, many artistic doors open for me. I intend to stay focused on making my living as an artist.”

 For several years, Betsy Hanscom had been making microwavable heating/cooling pads disguised as adorable animals and giving them as gifts to friends and family. When internet use expanded into mainstream America in the mid-90’s, she recognized its potential as a way of creating a viable marketplace for her products.  Not knowing how to go about creating such a business, she began looking for help and started her partnership with a variety of SBA partners, including the Women’s Business Center. There she found the assistance she needed to write her initial business plan and, after she launched Maine Warmers’ online store in September of 2000, to help with internet marketing. As her business grew she was faced with the several challenges:  hiring employees, understanding the rapidly changing internet technology, finding local fabric suppliers and stitchers,  wholesale marketing, and QuickBooks implementation.  Counselors from the WBC and other SBA partners were there at every turn to help. When she needed outside resources,  Hanscom turned to the Portland WBC networking group, where she met a designer who helped connect her with a large sewing sub-contractor in Maine, resulting in significant growth opportunities for her business. At the networking group she also met her graphic designer and other women business owners who continue to be an important part of her business support. And Betsy has given back to the group consistently, generously sharing her expertise in email newsletter marketing and website development.

As a result of her work over the last 10 years, Maine Warmers has created jobs and built a loyal following across the country for their whimsical but practical products, inviting customers to ‘Warm up & chill out’. http://www.mainewarmers.com

In 2009 Georgie Kendall left her position as a counselor advising rural Maine women on issues relating to economic security so she could launch The Red Sleigh, a seasonal retail shop in Perry, ME.  For start-up and marketing assistance, she turned to Ruth Cash-Smith, MWBC's Downeast Business Counselor.

A strong believer in promoting local businesses, advocating green practices, and serving as a community gathering place, Georgie enjoyed a very successful June 2009 launch.   Located in the town’s oldest building (which used to be a general store 100 years ago) The Red Sleigh stocks artisan crafts such as pottery, jewelry, art, and accessories--all affordably priced from $10-$200. The Red Sleigh also features locally grown produce and value-added food products, which fly off the shelf and account for 40% of sales. 

Georgie recycles paper goods, creates business cards from cereal boxes, and maintains a bulletin board promoting sustainable living.  Each monthly Open House draws up to 100 guests who enjoy food samplings, local music, and chatting with over 40 local artists and farmers.  In 2010, she doubled sales and added her own line of products from her 42-acre farm that has been in the Kendall family since 1852.

One day Rachel Larrivee, an energetic young woman who always had an artsy entrepreneurial spirit, saw an ad for the Lewiston massage school and she enrolled.  After becoming certified, she set the groundwork for her own future business by working at a local salon, building a client base, marketing her service and refining her skills. 

With clients frequently requesting special services, Rachel realized she needed to take the next step and set up her own operation so she could offer an upscale, comfortable and gender-neutral environment. 

She became a client of the Women’s Business Center at Coastal Enterprises, Inc, working with Business Counselor Betty Gensel, who was most helpful in breaking down the business planning and access to capital process into layman’s terms and offering specific feedback on both the strengths and changes necessary in the business plan.  

Rachel completed her business plan, obtained a $5,747 bank loan, and set up her own business, including new equipment she purchased to offer specialized services. By enlisting the help of family and friends, she transformed the space into a tranquil atmosphere and in August 2010 opened the doors of Rachel Larrivee Massage Therapy at 183 Main St. in

Rachel reports business is steady and growing; future plans include adding a new treatment room when space becomes available and joining the local business community through the Chamber of Commerce. 

Laura Cramer began working virtually with the Downeast Business Counselor in October 2008.  Since then, this talented and motivated entrepreneur has succeeded in her mission to bring the wonders of cheese to a working waterfront community in rural Maine.

Having already worked as the manager, buyer, and event planner at a successful food co-op for three years, Laura had great capacity for launching a gourmet cheese, chocolate and wine shop.  With coaching from her business counselor, she prepared a knock-out business plan and obtained $30,000 in financing, which she used to open The Cave, a 450 square foot retail shop on June 21, 2009.  

Despite the economic recession, in the first year of operation, she quadrupled sales projections, hired four part-time employees, extended seasonal operation to year-round status, and doubled the size of her shop.  It’s no wonder Laura was named Best New Business of the Year by the Blue Hill Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Faced with a third unexpected rent increase, Laura has leased a new space and relocated her 18 month-old business; closing for only two weeks, she will be open and ready to capture holiday sales.  In its new location (a charming 1840 Cape), The Cave quadruples its retail space, plus opens up the opportunity for a small café. To further hone her cheese skills, Laura has arranged a two-week apprenticeship at a very prestigious London cheese shop in January 2011.  No wonder she’s known around town as The Cheese Whiz!

“As I grow my business, I’m incredibly fortunate to work with my business counselor,” Laura says.  “Even though we’ve met face-to-face just once, I have nothing less than complete admiration for her and her professionalism.”

For more information about The Cave, please go to www.thecavebrooklin.com.

Between May of 2008 and March of 2009 collaboration between WBC Counselor Gretchen Henn and PTC Technologies CEO Debe Overhaug resulted in two successful loans totaling $60K, as well as additional equity investments of almost $300K.  With this infusion of capital, PTC Technologies, Inc. was able to bring to market an environmentally-friendly, soy-based toner cartridge, SoyPrint™. 

As a result, they were not only able to retain one employee position that would otherwise have been in jeopardy, but also create three jobs with the addition of two sales reps and a customer service rep.  The first company to offer laser printer cartridges using toner powder derived from soybeans, PTC Technologies markets this popular innovative product to colleges, banking associations, businesses, and state governments throughout the nation.

For more information about PTC Technologies Inc. and Soy Print, please go to www.soyprint.net.

In 2007 Kate and Steve Shaffer began working with virtual business counselor Ruth Cash-Smith to plan and launch their gourmet chocolate business, Black Dinah Chocolatiers.  Located on Isle au Haut, their small island business is seven miles at sea and accessible only by ferry service, yet it draws many intrepid visitors each summer.