New businesses range from garden design, a mobile bar, custom greeting cards and expeditions to East Africa.
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New Ventures Maine — a statewide education and economic development program administered through the University of Maine at Augusta — graduated 10 entrepreneurs from its 60-hour business planning class, Venturing Forth.
New businesses planned to launch across the state by Venturing Forth graduates in the coming months include Cardinal Gardener, a garden design, creation and coaching venture started by Dana Stern, who spent the past decade developing skills in organic and ecological gardening, herbalism and permaculture. Since moving to Maine, she has combined her interests in art and gardening, becoming a designer of predominantly native ecological landscapes, using principles of organic land care and permaculture to inform her designs.
A Cape Elizabeth business called Mural Marketing is also set to launch. Led by Phaedra Schmidt, the plan is to offer branding, marketing, visual storytelling and local projects. Schmidt is a muralist with a background in residential, commercial and community projects, along with two decades in marketing.
Libations and doulas
- Atlas Libations and Tastes, by Ariel Provencal in New Gloucester, is a mobile bar to be used at Pineland Farm events and other festivals.
- Bird finds Bear, by Lena Berger, in Windham, is a custom greeting card company.
- Our Grandmothers Hands, by Jenna Brooks in Brunswick, offers birth and post-partum doula services.
- Sage Home Support, by Crystal Morrigan in Gouldsboro, is a home-support firm offering services such as small repairs, companionship, pet-sitting and housekeeping.
- Sharama Events and Tours, by Divine Uwase in South Portland, is an event and tour company specializing in Maine-based tourism and expeditions to East Africa to see gorillas.
- Spirit Crafts, by Angela Auger in Farmington, is in an art supply store within a store.
- The Village Table, by Zack Hanrahan in Jefferson, is a community restaurant.
- Worker Bee Flower Farm, by Kristen Babcock in Yarmouth, is a roadside flower stand.
The business planning covered customers, competition, marketing, record keeping, taxes, financing, legal aspects of running a business and more.
New Ventures Maine is offering free online workshops and classes this month, designed to help people in Maine start a business, build their career and manage their money.
