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🔒Notable quotables from a dozen ‘On the Record’ interviews in 2025

121525_Kachina-Miller_3_opt — Belfast-based entrepreneur Kachina Miller, founder and CEO of Watermelon Pie, on what sets the recipe-sharing platform apart: “In a word — community.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

By Renee Cordes

December 15, 2025

As we wind down the year, here are memorable quotes from a dozen interviews published by Mainebiz in 2025.

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Every print edition of Mainebiz features an “On the Record” interview in question-and-answer format with a business or nonprofit leader in Maine. Here’s a recap of memorable quotes from a dozen leading voices in 2025.

Belfast-based entrepreneur Kachina Miller, founder and CEO of Watermelon Pie, on what sets the recipe-sharing platform apart: “In a word — community.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

John Lewis, executive director of the Manufacturers Association of Maine, on how to attract the next generation of talent: “It starts with awareness. Without it, there’s no interest — and without interest, there’s no training. But awareness must be paired with the right message, aligned to individual and personal goals and delivered strategically or it’s wasted effort.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

Gretchen Johnson, executive director of the Center for Grieving Children, on the mission of the Portland-based nonprofit: “Our mission is to ensure that children don’t grieve alone.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

Justin Hafner, co-founder and CEO of Ateklo Inc., on his newest business venture: “Ateklo is a company that creates companies. Just like a traditional tech company produces and sells products, our products happen to be startups. Specifically, we turn frontier scientific researchers into entrepreneurs who impact industries through venture creation.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

Alexa Coulombe McGovern, founder of Dirigo Sea Farm, on what prompted her to start a business that creates bioplastics from kelp: “I had read about seaweed farming probably five or six years ago on a plane, and I became obsessed with it. But I don’t drive a boat and I don’t have a biology degree, so I told myself I’d sit on the sidelines and watch it hopefully take off as a growing part of Maine’s sea economy. Fast forward to 2023, when I had my daughter and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Both of those experiences were eye-opening for me in relation to our toxin exposure from a human health perspective. I had this really personal drive to try to figure out how to fix that.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

Kaveri Subbarao Nauhaus, CEO of Bernstein Shur, on the Portland-based law firm’s expansion plans: “Our offices in Portland and Manchester, N.H., are launching pads — portals to bigger markets. We already bring world-class talent to solving regional and national challenges for our clients. Our goal is to broaden that impact and respond to our clients’ needs in areas beyond northern New England where they are eager to continue working with our team.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

Chris Torina, director of entrepreneurship at Northeastern University’s Roux Institute, on how he defines entrepreneurship: “For me, entrepreneurship is deeply personal — it’s that flash of clarity, like a switch flipping when you know it’s time to turn your side thing into your main thing.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

Restaurateur Krista Cole, owner of Sur Lie in Portland and Gather in Yarmouth, on the biggest challenge facing her industry today: “The cost of everything and trying to pay people livable wages. The industry has always depended on cheap labor and needs to figure out how to survive in the new world.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

Jason Harkins, executive dean of the Maine Business School and dean of Graduate School of Business at the University of Maine, on business conditions for startups: “The climate for starting a business in Maine has never been better, with so many supports for new ventures and more access to capital.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

Annie Leahy, executive director of Mechanics’ Hall, on the importance of the arts in Maine’s largest city: “The arts are really the soul of Portland — and a powerful engine for its economy.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

Defendify CEO Rob Simopoulos, when asked whether cybersecurity is a recession-proof business: “Cybersecurity is rarely something organizations can afford to cut. Unfortunately, during periods of economic uncertainty, crime often increases, making security even more critical.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

Hannah Ryder, executive chef at Twelve restaurant, on what she’d advise someone thinking about entering the culinary industry today: “Getting your foot in the door is the biggest thing.” PHOTO / JIM NEUGER

Next up

Watch for an interview with a new nonprofit leader in our Jan. 12 print edition.

– Digital Partners -

🔒Notable quotables from a dozen ‘On the Record’ interviews in 2025

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