Starting Your Small Business

Monday, December 3   Time:   6:00PM to 8:00PM  Location: 21 Bradeen St. Springvale

Join the Maine Small Business Development Center for the fast-paced, informative evening covering everything you'll need to know to start your small business. Examine entrepreneurial characteristics, outline your buisness plan (and why it is important to prepare one), introduce marketing and pricing, and how to finance your startup costs. Leave better prepared to take that next step. Sponsored and presented by the Maine Small Business Development Centers.

For more information contact: 207-490-5145 or gplatt@usm.maine.edu

Maine Technology Institute Portland Office Hours - Vanessa Frey

Tuesday, December 4     Time: 9:00am-4:00pm  Location: 30 Danforth St. Suite 207, Portland

Join Vanessa Frey of the Business Innovation Program at Maine Technology Institute to meet one-on-one and discuss funding opportunities for your tech-based business. Sponsored and presented by Maine Technology Institute. There is no cost to attend this event.

For more information contact: jwatson@mainetechnology.org

Franchising 101

Wednesday, December 5    Time: 6:00-8:00pm  Location: 100 Middle St. 2nd Floor East Tower, Portland

If you have considered owning a franchise, this workshop is for you. Learn how franchise business ownership works. A franchise business allows you to invest in proven business systems and strategies. Topics covered include: Selecting the right business, criteria for selection, cost of ownership. Sponsored and presented by the Portland Chapter of SCORE, Counselor's to America's Small Business.

For more information contact: 207-772-1147 or info@scoremaine.com

Top 10 Ways to Market Your Business Online

Wednesday December 5  Time: 12:30-2:30pm   Location: Foster Center for Student Innovation, 123 Long Rd. Orono

In this session Sharon Kinney will cover opportunities for marketing your startup online, even with a bootstrap budget. She'll cover trends in social media, search engines, reputation management and more. Bring your questions and ideas!   Sponsored and presented by Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development.

For more information contact: jesse.moriarity@maine.edu or 207-581-1427

Small Business Award Nominations

If you are working with (or for) a small business, or small business champion that deserves recognition, please call Diane Sturgeon at 207-622-8286, or e-mail Diane at diane.sturgeon@sba.gov to discuss nominating that business for one of our Small Business Awards.  Additional information about nominations can be found at: http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/2013%20Award%20Categories%20&%20Nomination%20Packet%20Requirements.pdf.  Nominations are due January 3, but are welcome anytime. 

SBA Maine District Office Staff Directory

Whether you are a lender, small business owner or new entrepreneur, we would be delighted to hear from you.  Please call or e-mail us whenever we can be of service to you.  Our staff includes:  

District Director, Maurice L. Dube, 207-622-8383  maurice.dube@sba.gov

Deputy District Director, Marilyn J. Geroux, 207-622-8382  marilyn.geroux@sba.gov

Lender Relations Specialist, Diane Sturgeon, 207-622-8286  diane.sturgeon@sba.gov

Lender Relations Specialist, William S. Card, 207-622-8555  william.card@sba.gov

Economic Development Specialist, Sandra A. Fontaine, 207-622-8381  sandra.fontaine@sba.gov

Senior Area Manager -- Portland, Alden R. Turner, 207-592-5322  alden.turner@sba.gov

Program Support Assistant, Keith E. Lind 207-622-8551  keith.lind@sba.gov

District Counsel, Mark S. O'Brien, 207-622-8558  mark.obrien@sba.gov

Procurement Center Representative, Northern New England, Keith E. Waye, 207-622-8554 keith.waye@sba.gov

Date: 12/3/2012