New Ventures Maine is pleased to welcome three new staff members to the microenterprise team: Oyebanjo Ogunlela, Dion Olmstead, and Destin DeCambre. These three small business advisors join a strong team of experienced instructors, coaches, and business owners that is ready to serve existing and would-be entrepreneurs across the state. Learn more about our new staff members below:
Microenterprise specialist Oyebanjo ‘Banjo’ Ogunlela will work as a small business advisor and offer classes statewide online to entrepreneurs who are planning and launching new businesses in North Central and Downeast Maine.
Banjo was drawn to NVME because of the organization’s mission and values. “They resonate strongly with my passion for empowering individuals, encouraging entrepreneurship, and supporting economic independence,” he said.
Banjo recently completed his MA in Global Policy at the University of Maine where he worked as a graduate teaching assistant, lecturing in the Department of Communication & Journalism. Previously, he served on the faculty of business and management sciences at Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town, South Africa where he lectured and conducted research on business administration, entrepreneurship, public procurement, green supply chain, and disruptive innovation.
He also brings 17 years of information technology operations and training experience from professional posts with the United Nations World Food Program (South Africa), Shell Petroleum Development Company (Nigeria), and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company.
When asked what he is looking forward to in his new role at NVME, Banjo said, “I look forward to becoming a pillar of support, knowledge, and inspiration for individuals embarking on the challenging but rewarding journey of entrepreneurship. This role is not just about imparting information; it’s about igniting passion, fostering growth, and ultimately contributing to the fabric of local economies and communities,” he said.
Banjo’s educational credentials include a PhD in Business Administration from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa and an MBA from Lagos State University, Nigeria. His interests include music (oldies), reading, and conducting research.
Dion Olmstead joins the NVME staff as a microenterprise specialist based in Lewiston where he will provide business and asset development services and individual coaching to Maine start-up and early-stage entrepreneurs.
When asked about the experience he will draw upon in his new position, Dion said, “I am especially interested in both natural-resource and trades-based businesses. I also have a great deal of experience running a business. I believe all of these experiences will help me to be effective as an advisor to small business owners.”
Dion’s business experience spans careers in farming and building renovation. As the owner of Franklin Restoration Company in Farmington from 2004 through 2016, Dion managed residential, commercial, military, and municipal building contracts, specializing in high-efficiency restoration of historic buildings across Maine.
Over the same time period, he owned and managed a small jersey herd and ran Maine Mountain Creamery in New Sharon, Maine. Dion’s work as a farmer began at UMaine’s Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, a 278-acre center for research and development for Maine’s fruit and vegetable growers, where he worked as a research assistant and assistant farm manager.
“People in Maine have great ideas. I look forward to helping people to turn their ideas into viable businesses,” he said.
Dion earned a B.A. in Environmental Design from College of the Atlantic and a Graduate Certificate in Business from the University of Maine. He is a current MBA candidate with a concentration in Food Technology Industry Management at the University of Maine.
Dion lives in New Sharon with his family on their farm and enjoys working on the land and participating in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon events in New England with his children.
Microenterprise specialist Destin DeCambre joins the New Ventures Maine staff as a small business advisor in Northern Maine. A family business owner, Destin runs DeCambre National Inc., a trucking company, with her husband.
Prior to joining NVME, Destin was the office manager for Jalbert Auto and Auto Body in Presque Isle where she trained new staff members, supervised administrative and customer service staff, and managed billing. Her previous experience includes work as a safety advisor at Falcon Transportation LLC, where she managed safety equipment required to meet DOT safety standards, and 13 years as a pharmacy technician at City Drug Store in Presque Isle.
“I have worked for primarily small, family-owned businesses and have seen the impact they make on the community,” she said. “When I saw this job opportunity and realized it would allow me to not only utilize my degree, but also help me bring businesses to the community, I knew it would be a win-win situation.”
Destin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship from Southern New Hampshire University and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies degree from University of Maine, Presque Isle.
Born and raised in Aroostook County, Destin lives in Presque Isle with her husband, three daughters, two dogs and two cats. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
View the full NVME class schedule to explore self-employment, learn business basics, or begin business planning classes. Or, contact the microenterprise specialist in your area for individual advising services.