Readers weigh in on brain drain and young Mainers
Just finished reading the Nov. 17 Mainebiz and felt I had to write. In two different stories, you wrote about “young Mainers” and reaching out to younger populations, as if this is the only age group that is responsible for startups.
I agree there are many enterprising 20-somethings creating interesting new businesses here in Maine. But I continue to see news coverage, including your own, talk about “the challenge of finding the right talent” when in fact my own observation has been there are plenty of underemployed and talented people available here in Maine right now.
In actuality, according to the Kaufman Foundation, the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity in the nation was ages 55 to 64, who start new businesses at a higher rate than those in their 20s and 30s. And that has been true for decades. Makes sense, as folks in that age group have much more experience and probably more capital and connections. (The immigrant community is also overlooked as contributors of startup businesses.)
Maine has long been a place where bright people some to create their own livelihoods out of necessity. I call them “work cobblers” — people who creatively piece together their own living doing several things.
I am 69 years old, have started 5 to 6 businesses, and am still involved in the startup community after 35 years and still work. I get seriously annoyed with those who are involved with the startup community — including the media folks who cover it — for not recognizing this.
I think the larger problem is that there are not enough types of businesses to appeal to our brightest “exported” college students, who rightfully want to chase larger dreams in major markets. Those same people often become 30-somethings looking at Maine as an ideal place to raise families, but cannot find a good fit for the skills they have acquired elsewhere.
— Sam Kelley, MBI Trailers, Scarborough
I agree there are many enterprising 20-somethings creating interesting new businesses here in Maine. But I continue to see news coverage, including your own, talk about “the challenge of finding the right talent” when in fact my own observation has been there are plenty of underemployed and talented people available here in Maine right now.
Maine has long been a place where bright people some to create their own livelihoods out of necessity. I call them “work cobblers” — people who creatively piece together their own living doing several things.
I think the larger problem is that there are not enough types of businesses to appeal to our brightest “exported” college students, who rightfully want to chase larger dreams in major markets. Those same people often become 30-somethings looking at Maine as an ideal place to raise families, but cannot find a good fit for the skills they have acquired elsewhere.
— Caleb Mason, Founder and Publisher, Publerati, Portland
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments