Portland SCORE's Starting Your Own Business workshop

Tuesday, January 15  Time: 2pm-5pm  Location: 100 Middle St., 2nd Floor, Portland

Learn all the "nuts and bolts" needed to get a new business up and running from experienced small business operators. Sponsored and presented by the Portland Chapter of SCORE, counselor's to America's small business.

For more information, or to register contact 207-772-1147 or info@scoremaine.com

Basics of Starting a Business

Wednesday, January 16 & Wednesday, January 23  Time: 9am-2pm  Location: WWC Office, UMA Gannett Building, 5th Floor, 331 Water St., Augusta

Spread over two Thursdays in January, 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. Sponsored and presented by the Maine Centers for Women, Work & Community. This event is free to attend.

For more information or to register contact Jean Dempster at 621-3434 or dempster@maine.edu

Make the Most of your Money Series

Wednesday, January 16, Wednesday January 23, and Wednesday January 30  Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm  Location: Belfast Free Library, 106 High St., Belfast

I. 1/16: Improving Your Relationship with Money

Using the “Money Habitudes” card sort activity developed by Syble Solomon, you will learn about your money habits and attitudes; how they affect your money choices; and how you can change old practices.

II. 1/23: Finding Your Money Power Payment

Looking at your household spending plan, find places where you can reduce expenses, increase income, and create a “power payment” you can use to save for the future or reduce debt.

III. 1/30: Reducing Your Debt

Learn strategies for reducing your debt and improving your credit score.

Workshops are supported in part by a grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, through a partnership with United Way Worldwide.

Sponsored and presented by Maine Centers for Women, Work & Community. These events are free to attend.

For more information, or to register, contact 207-596-2615

Developing Sales Materials for Trade Shows

Wednesday, January 16  Time: 6pm-9pm  Location: Maine SBDC, 501 Forest Ave., Portland

Explore how to use the creative process, descriptive language, graphics and photography to help you increase the power of your trade show experience. Sponsored and presented by the Maine Small Business Development Center.

For more information, or to register, contact 207-780-4420 or jsherwood@usm.maine.edu

Preparing a Business Plan

Thursday, January 17  Time: 6pm-8pm  Location: Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St., Auburn

New Year , New Career: Preparing a Business Plan. Join us in the Androscoggin Community Room for our new series of business programs for those looking to start their own company or expand their existing operations. Leading business experts will present a new topic each Thursday night from Jan 10 to Mar 14th and be on hand to anwser your questions. Sponsored and presented by the Maine Small Business Development Center. This event is free to attend.

For more information, or to register, contact 207-783-9186 or lgiroux@avcog.org

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.  We are pleased to announce that the nomination deadline has been extended to January 31, but please submit nominations as soon as possible.

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:  

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

Acting Deputy District Director, Alden R. Turner, 207-592-5322  alden.turner@sba.gov

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

Economic Development Specialist, William S. Card, 207-622-8555  william.card@sba.gov

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

U.S. Small Business Administration, Maine District Office

68 Sewall Street, Room 512, Augusta, ME 04330

207-622-8551 (phone) 207-622-8277 (Fax)

www.sba.gov/me

Date: 1/14/2013