Maine Business Talk Archives - The Grow Maine Show

Stacey Giulianti of Florida Peninsula Insurance Co

October 26, 202010/26/20

Stacey A. Giulianti, Esq. is the Chief Legal Officer at Florida Peninsula Insurance Company, where he oversees the Claims, Special Investigations, and Legal Departments. He founded the company with his partners in 2005 and has since helped it grow to become the 6th largest homeowners insurance company in Florida. He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1993. He is the Author of Florida Insurance Law, Thomson West Publishing, 2007-2019. Mr. Giulianti graduated from the University of Miami School of Law cum laude in 1993 (staff member, University of Miami Law Review).

Stacey lives in Maine and offers great perspective on remotely managing a large company, and doing business in Maine vs. Florida. He is also adjunct faculty at Southern Maine Community College, teaching entrepreneurship.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (37.3MB) | Embed

Business in Maine, Maine Business Talk

Richard Pfeffer of Gritty’s

July 20, 202007/20/20

No Response

Richard is co-founder and president of Gritty’s Brew Pub, of Portland, Auburn and Freeport Maine. In this episode we discuss the founding of Gritty’s, including Richard’s background as a sailor and stockbroker — prior to making a 32-year leap into entrepreneurship and building a company with more than 100 employees.

Richard is a longtime member of Maine Technology Institute’s Agricultural & Marine Technology tech board, and gives back to the community in many other ways, including Gritty’s Community Nights.

The pandemic began with Richard standing in an empty pub on a Saturday night — but he never had to throw any beer away. Don’t miss this episode with this influential brewer and Maine entrepreneur.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (56.1MB) | Embed

Business in Maine, Maine Business Talk, Maine EntrepreneursMaine beer

Jack Moore of Harpswell Advisors

June 8, 202006/08/20

No Response

Jack is President and Chief Investment Officer of Harpswell Advisors, a Maine based firm serving foundations and endowments throughout the United States. Harpswell embraces an OCIO approach that leverages the benefits of both passive and active strategies and creates custom portfolios for each institution it serves. Harpswell was named among the nation’s top 108 Charitable Investment Advisors in Investor.com’s 2020 study.

Prior to Harpswell, Jack managed a market neutral hedge fund predominately for non-profit institutions and family offices. Jack also served as a Principal with The Vanguard Group where he was a Senior Analyst working directly for several of Vanguard’s funds and participated in the Chairman’s senior strategy efforts. Prior to joining Vanguard, Jack was a Vice President and Portfolio Manager with Bryn Mawr Capital (a hedge fund) overseeing the firm’s investments in energy and basic materials.

Prior to his career in investment management, Jack served as the Press Assistant to the U.S. Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell.

Jack holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hobart College and earned his Masters of Science degree from the London School of Economics.

A dedicated civic participant, Jack has been a lifelong volunteer and serves on several Boards and Investment committees.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (79.3MB) | Embed

Business in Maine, Maine Business Talk, Maine Entrepreneurs

Rich Brooks of Flyte New Media

June 1, 202006/01/20

No Response

Rich Brooks is founder and president of flyte new media, a digital agency in Portland, Maine, that’s been in business for over 23 years. He is a nationally recognized speaker on entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and social media.
He founded The Agents of Change, an annual conference and weekly podcast that focuses on search, social & mobile marketing. He recently co-founded Fast Forward Maine, a podcast and workshop series for growing Maine businesses.
Rich is the author of The Lead Machine: The Small Business Guide to Digital Marketing, a popular and well-received book that helps entrepreneurs and marketers reach more of their ideal customers online.
He has appeared in Inc. Magazine, The Huffington Post, FastCompany.com, CNN.com, the Social Media Examiner, and many other news sources for stories on digital marketing.
He is also the “tech guru” on the evening news show, 207, which airs on the NBC affiliates in Maine. And Chris Brogan always calls him “Handsome Rich Brooks”, so that can’t be bad.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (73.3MB) | Embed

Business in Maine, Maine Business Talk, National Leaders

Lou Simms of Maine Technology Institute

March 16, 202003/16/20

No Response

Taking some downtime away from the office during the coronavirus outbreak and thinking about your next startup? Well you came to the right place. Learn how to apply to MTI from Lou Simms, who serves as a Senior Investment Officer at Maine Technology Institute. Lou joined MTI in 2015 and truly relishes the opportunities to work with Maine’s aspiring entrepreneurs – dedicated to supporting the growth of Maine’s innovation economy on a daily basis.

Lou joined MTI after finishing his Master’s work at the University of New Hampshire’s Sustainability Institute and Organic Dairy Research Farm – and Lou has prior experience running small businesses in Portland, ranging from rocking bowling alleys to financial literacy counseling.

Originally from Kentucky, Lou is inspired by the natural beauty and unique sense of community here in Southern Maine – and he can think of no better place for he & his wife to raise their young son!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (39.6MB) | Embed

Business in Maine, Business Startup, Maine Business Talk, Maine EntrepreneursMaine Technology Institute

Michael Bourque, CEO of MEMIC

March 9, 202003/09/20

No Response

Michael Bourque became the second President and CEO of The MEMIC Group in 2017. Having served under founding president and mentor John Leonard for more than two decades, he held the position of Senior Vice President for External Affairs, giving him a broad and engaged view of the company and the insurance industry.
He oversaw government and community relations and corporate marketing efforts that helped drive the growth of The MEMIC Group from a single state workers’ compensation carrier to a super-regional specialist with eight offices across the Eastern Seaboard and more than 20,000 policyholders across the country. His efforts helped to strategically position the company as an industry leader in workplace safety and the compassionate care of injured workers and contributed to The MEMIC Group being recognized by ACORD as the Best Workers’ Compensation Company in America.
He has served on numerous boards and committees including chair of the 2016 United Way of Greater Portland’s Campaign Committee, which raised more than $8 million. He also is a member of the board of the Maine Cancer Foundation, The University of Maine Board of Visitors and has served as chair of the board of both the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine and the Southern Maine Community College Foundation. He is a member of the steering committee for FocusMaine. He is past chair of the Portland Regional Chamber and is a member of the board of the Maine State Chamber.
Mike is a graduate of the University of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. He believes that you show respect by asking questions.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (44.4MB) | Embed

Business in Maine, Maine Business Talk

Adam Lee of Lee Auto Malls

February 17, 202002/17/20

No Response

Adam Lee has been with Lee Auto Mall for 32 years, serving as President and assuming the position of Chairman of the Board in June 2010 upon the passing of his father, Shep Lee. He currently serves on the Muskie Board of Visitors, the MPBN Board, and the Maine Conservation Voters Board.
Lee served as the Chairman of the Efficiency Maine Trust and Chair of the Maine Audubon Corporate Partners. He is the past chairman of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and a past member of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, Maine Historical Society, Maine Energy Council, Governor’s Advisory Council, Center for Cultural Exchange and the OSHER Map Library.
Over the last 20 years, Lee has worked hard in conjunction with various environmental groups to raise fuel economy standards across the nation. He’s proud of the successful accomplishment that will raise the national standards to 54.5 MPG’s by 2025.
Lee is a graduate of Vassar College and the recipient of environmental awards from the Natural Resources Council of Maine and the Maine League of Conservation Voters.
Adam Lee lives in Cumberland with his wife and 22year old twins, 2 horses, 2 cats, 2dogs, and anywhere from 6 to 8 chickens depending upon the fox.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (35.8MB) | Embed

Maine Business Talk, Maine Entrepreneurs

Topher Mallory

December 30, 201912/30/19

No Response

Topher Mallory has three roles: CEO of the iconic Maine retailer Mexicali Blues, co-founder of Split Rock, Maine’s first Organic Distillery, and owner of Royal Rose Simple Syrups, organic drink mixers. These businesses together represent more than 100 employees and many millions in sales revenue. Starting from a summer job selling skateboards, Topher has built this remarkable “only-in-Maine” career. Learn how, and why, in this compelling interview!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (104.4MB) | Embed

Business in Maine, Maine Business Talk, Maine Entrepreneurs

Patrick Roche of Think Tank Coworking – Leaving Maine for a Second Act

December 21, 201912/21/19

1 Responses

Patrick Roche is the Founder and Director of Think Tank Coworking, based in Portland, with three locations in Southern Maine. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the 2016 Innovative Small Business award presented by SCORE and the 2017 “Best Small Business” presented by the City of Portland. In addition to running Think Tank, Patrick spends time in New York City where he works with Gesundheit Media, producing video and marketing content. In his spare time, he writes screenplays, enjoys traveling to far-off lands and boating around Casco Bay. He is passionate about civics, the arts and building local creative economy.

Patrick has a lot of perspective on Maine’s startup scene, now that he’s working primarily in NYC. Listen as we explore whether Maine really is the best place to start a business.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (52.1MB) | Embed

Business in Maine, Business Startup, Maine Business Talk

1 2 3 ›