doing business in Maine Archives - The Grow Maine Show

Mainebiz New Ventures/Start-up Forum

November 15, 201811/15/18

Hey, I’m back with The Grow Maine Show. I’m working hard after a really intense run, and loss, in a contest for US Congress. But I’m jumping right back in with this recording of the really great Mainebiz New Ventures/Start-up Forum held August 21. This is content too good to be forgotten, so I’m really glad to present it to you here:

It features:

Eliah Thanhauser of NorthSpore
Allison Lakin of Gorges (“Gorgeous”) Cheeses
Becky McKinnell of iBec Creative
Bill Keleher of Kennebec River Biosciences
Sean Sullivan of Maine Brewers Guild
David Stone of Forager

The panel is moderated by the incomparable Betsy Biemann of CEI.

Promo: the New England Venture Summit in Boston coming right up in Boston on December 12. I have a really nice discount code, $100 off registration. Here it is: GMSVIP. If you choose to attend or pitch, I expect you to kick ass on behalf of Maine!

Great advice from Eliah of NorthSpore: get your systems down. And case in point, as you heard, the battery on my Zoom H4N recorder died in the middle of the panel, so I missed a piece of it – right when Allison talked about her cooler dying – must have been karma. It does give me a chance to thank, and recommend, Headlight Audio Visual. I record a lot of events and they are top notch, and Trevor from Headlight bailed me out with a couple of AA’s at this event.

Get your systems down! Please like share and subscribe, I want to push this episode and others like it far and wide. The Grow Maine Show is on Facebook, go there and like the page to hear about the next episode, which is coming right up! Don’t be afraid to be awesome!

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Business Startupdoing business in Maine, Maine startups

Topher Mallory of Mexicali Blues, Split Rock Distilling and Royal Rose Simple Syrups

August 24, 201808/24/18

No Response

Topher Mallory has three roles: he’s CEO of Mexicali Blues, and co-owner and co-founder of Split Rock Distilling, which also owns Royal Rose syrups. So it’s three interviews in one, for Maine entrepreneurs! We recorded the interview at Topher’s office at Mexicali Blues in Newcastle, after a quick visit to one of the Mexicali Blues stores.

And if you’d like to put a startup guy in US Congress, learn more about me at martygrohman.com

And here are those great coupon codes: RoyalRoseSyrups.com for 20% off simple syrups: growmaine

And one for MexicaliBlues.com (online only) coupon is 15% off: growmaine

And as promised, here’s a link to Rich Brooks and Agents of Change conference; a link to Tim Ferriss and Tools of Titans, and a Link to the Book Essentialism.

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Business in Maine, Business Startupdoing business in Maine, Maine Entrepreneurs

Ed McKersie of ProSearch and LiveandWorkinMaine.com

July 29, 201807/29/18

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Ed McKersie is the founder and CEO of ProSearch Inc., which has been locating talent for Maine based companies – from across the street and across the country – since 1994.

I’ve been looking to get Ed on the show forever. He’s founded a large successful Maine company, and now he helps other Maine companies find talent, so he’s got a heck of a perspective.

Don’t forget: If you believe in firsts, and startups, and want to put a startup guy in Congress, visit my campaign website and make a contribution at martygrohman.com.

Make sure to check out Ed’s amazing project liveandworkinmaine.com, which he runs together with Nate Wildes. This site is one of Maine’s best workforce recruiting tools, and includes a job board and success stories.

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Business in Maine50 Best States for Business, doing business in Maine, Maine Entrepreneur

Derek Volk, President of Volk Packaging Corp. on business in Maine and Heroes Wall Project

June 5, 201806/05/18

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Derek Volk is the third generation of the Volk family to run his successful Biddeford packaging business. He has led the company through significant changes and challenges to the company culture, all the while driving growth and acquiring parts of the company’s supply chain.

He’s also a passionate supporter of many local causes, including the Heroes Wall, which is a tribute to veterans.

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Business in Mainedoing business in Maine, veterans

Gorham Savings Bank 2017 Launchpad Recap with Pitching Tips

May 30, 201805/30/18

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Ok, so this episode is really amazing. It’s just the five pitches from last year’s GSB Launchpad and the judges questions, that’s it. Nothing in between, all killer no filler, with the winner announced at the end. Be sure to register for this year’s Launchpad, which is June 6. And stay tuned to the end, when I’ll give my pitch tips based on having listened to hundreds of pitches now. Add your own pitch tips in the comments, too, I’d love to compile a fuller list.

Now, register! It’s free and not to be missed:

Watch Five Maine Businesses Compete for $50,000.

Live LaunchPad Event

TUESDAY, JUNE 5^th

Interested in my campaign for US Congress? Learn more and get involved at martygrohman.com.

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Business in Maine, Business Startup, Launchpaddoing business in Maine, Gorham Savings Bank, startup

Kay Aikin, CEO of Introspective Systems

May 6, 201805/06/18

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Kay Aikin is CEO of Introspective Systems, a developer of electrical grid management software based in Portland, Maine. The company takes on complex systems and makes them simpler. Somewhere between the internet of things and artificial intelligence, there is an immense opportunity to reduce costs and gain efficiency in electrical systems, communications, medicine, and smart homes. And just about everything else.

This is clearly an immense opportunity. What is not immediately obvious is that Introspective Systems doesn’t seek to take on those complex problems themselves, but rather to build the systems that let others do it. It’s like running the trading post at the gold rush.

If this topic is for you, Introspective Systems is convening a series of artificial intelligence and cutting edge software tech get togethers called ‘Edge Talk’. Kay and others will lead the discussion. The next Edge Talk, “AI is the New Bacon” will explore differences between general and specific artificial intelligence applications and some of the many ways it can be used to solve complex problems in business. The event will take place on May 15 at noon. For information and to register click here.

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Business in Maine, Business Startup, Maine Business Talk, Maine Entrepreneursdoing business in Maine, electric, grid, Maine startups

Sean Sullivan, Executive Director of Maine Brewer’s Guild

April 6, 201804/06/18

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Sean Sullivan, executive director of Maine Brewer’s Guild, is a great speaker and entrepreneur who happens to think that Maine craft beer is key to growing our economy. Brewing is a manufacturing business, and everything from ocean freight to a good local malthouse is in our favor.

This episode of The Grow Maine Show is brought to you by The Dunham Group. The real estate market is tight. Even if you’re not outgrowing your space now, if you think you will, why not check their property listings right now?

Breweries also revitalize Maine’s downtowns, especially in rural Maine, by creating destinations and building supply chains that spur other business growth. After listening to this… you know what you need to do to help out!!

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Business in Maine, Maine Entrepreneursdoing business in Maine, Maine beer

Heather Blease, CEO of SaviLinx

March 14, 201803/14/18

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Heather Blease (rhymes with “skis”) is CEO of SaviLinx. SaviLinx is a contact center – that’s them on the other end of the phone when you want to enroll in a new dental plan or have problems with your student financial aid. Savilinx was just ranked #28 on the Inc. 500. May I say, that is just incredible. One of the highest listings achieved by any Maine company ever.

This episode is brought to you by The Dunham Group. To get on that Inc 500 list, you need to grow your business fast. That means a good office, a good building. Don’t wait around – visit our custom link to straight to the property listings.

Recording this episode was the first time I met Heather, she’s really been someone I’ve looked to over as a Maine entrepreneur’s role model. Not too many people reach 2500 employees in just a few years, as she did with her first business; and SaviLinx is poised for strong growth as well. I especially appreciated Heather’s progressive views on hiring people in recovery – I am passionate about this in my work in the Legislature, and employers who are willing to give people a second chance are so important.

Enjoy!

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Business in Maine50 Best States for Business, doing business in Maine, Maine Entrepreneur

Zak Ringelstein, Democratic Candidate for US Senate

March 1, 201803/01/18

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Zak Ringelstein is a former teacher who has a strong background in entrepreneurship, and now he’s running for US Senate. While I generally don’t do politics on the Grow Maine Show, I’ve had Angus King on twice, and so it’s only fair I have Zak on. I will have the Republican candidate Eric Brakey on as well if he asks.

Today’s episode is brought to you by The Dunham Group. Buying my own building was the single best thing I ever did in entrepreneurship. If you’re outgrowing your space, follow my custom link to get you right to the property listing page.

Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher. My next guest has the highest Inc 5000 listing of any Maine company ever… if you subscribe, the next episode will show up automatically so you won’t miss a thing.

Back to Zak. Zak’s got a passion for entrepeneurship. He’s a good listener, too – an unusual attribute in a politician (and I’m a politician).

Do you agree with his take on Amazon? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments, and learn more about Zak at ringelsteinformaine.com.

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Business Startupdoing business in Maine, Maine politics

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