'My focus is on people's jobs': Notable quotables from 'On the Record' interviews in 2020

File photos / Jim Neuger, Tim Greenway and provided These business movers and shakers, and numerous others, were featured in Mainebiz "On the Record" Q&A interviews in 2020.

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By Renee Cordes

For entrepreneurs and business leaders across Maine, 2020 was a year like no other. As it draws to a close, here are highlights from 10 Mainebiz “On the Record” interviews this year. They appear in question-and-answer format in every print edition and online.

Alli Harper, founder and owner of online bookseller OurShelves, on her company's dual mission (Jan. 29): "The first part of our mission is to connect high-quality, age-appropriate diverse kids’ books with those seeking them — families, teachers, librarians, acupuncturists, physicians — anywhere there are kids’ books, and people who want their bookshelves to reflect their inclusive values. The second part of our mission is to advocate for the many more high-quality, age-appropriate diverse kids’ books needed."

Sea Bags CEO Don Oakes, on keeping the company's brand identity strong in the long term (April 6): "It’s just about staying true to who we are. Some of the things that have always been true about the Sea Bags brand will help us get through this. That includes our commitment to sustainability, being 'Made in Maine' and our commitment to the community. Those things are not necessarily the cheapest way to do business, but it’s what we believe in."

Entrepreneur Tim Harringon, on how Batson River Brewing & Distilling switched to making hand sanitizer during the pandemic (April 20): “People are saying we are health heroes, but it’s really a business story — a creative and determined effort to keep our people working and our doors open. The idea for making hand sanitizer started when we were on a conference call with the managing director of Quest Fitness and he said, 'We can’t keep the gym open without sanitizer.' Within a couple hours, our head distiller had a formula for making sanitizer. I feel good about that, my focus is on people’s jobs."

Leigh Saufley, dean of the University of Maine School of Law, on what it was like starting that job in an empty building (May 4): "What drew me to the law school was the students, the incredible faculty and staff. To have to start this job in a building where no one else is able to be present, it’s almost surreal."

University of Maine System Chancellor Dannnel Malloy, on how he would grade himself after a year in that job (June 29): "Well, we switched to pass-fail — I definitely passed."

Quincy Hentzel, CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, on the significance of Northeastern University's new graduate education and research center in Portland (Sept. 21): "I am really excited about the Roux Institute. This has the potential to be a game-changer for our state. Its focus is on key disciplines such as artificial intelligence and computer and data sciences. And our local companies are at the table developing their future talent. It’s an incredible opportunity."

Holy Donut founder Leigh Kellis, on the long-term vision for her latest business venture, a mission-driven vegan cookie maker called Sweet Sea Co. (Oct. 5): "I’d like to have cookies in many grocery stores around the country. I’d like people to see the value in business having a bigger purpose. This is not about cookies, it’s about caring for the planet, and making positive change and feeling hope."

Curtis Picard, president and CEO of the Augusta-based Retail Association of Maine, on retail pivots during the pandemic (Oct. 19): "One of the most interesting and impressive things to me has been how retailers quickly adapted their operations. Curbside delivery had been increasing with larger retailers like Hannaford-To-Go, but the smaller retailers quickly adapted, too. The innovation that has taken place in such a short period of time is nothing short of amazing."

Jeffrey Hobbs, owner and president of Hobbs Funeral Home, on the sector's changing workforce (Nov. 2): "In the state of Maine, there are more women coming into the funeral business every year. A great number of medical examiners are also women, and a great number of clergy of all faiths except Catholic are women. They’re in many parts of my life now where they weren’t before, and I think it’s great."

Torey Penrod-Cambra, co-founder and chief marketing officer at HighByte, on what's ahead for the industrial software startup (Dec. 14): "If I had to make some predictions, I believe 2021 will bring substantial sales growth, multiple product releases and new international partnerships. Our company has the potential to double in size by the end of next year, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. We currently have seven employees, including the three founders, and expect to double our total headcount by the end of next year."