Alycia Fox of Bath started community college in 2009 at the age of twenty-one. Life challenges interrupted her pursuit of a degree for a time. Then, in 2016, she decided to explore her options. Shaping Her Goals Alycia enrolled in an online career planning class with New Ventures Maine. She wanted to make a better future for herself than her work as a per diem CNA was providing. …
Written by Erica Quin-Easter, Midcoast Regional Manager and Workforce Specialist We all have financial goals and dreams. Sometimes, we struggle to put our goals into action while living paycheck to paycheck. Regardless of our income levels, our spending tends to rise and fall in proportion to the money we have available. It can be frustrating to feel like you’re stuck with no savings even when your financial situation …
We asked two financial education graduates to share their thoughts after completing their class. Lea & Joan have 88 years of experience together and 5 decades of difference between their ages. Let’s hear what they had to share after participating in the class! Lea Machnitzky, age 19: I learned about the class when I picked up an Adult Education catalog. I saw this great free opportunity to learn more …
The Midcoast Office of New Ventures Maine and a panel of judges representing the local business community awarded our full mini-grant of $400 to David Jacobson. His business, Jacobson Glass Studio, is located in Montville and has been in operation for about three years. David has positioned his studio very successfully as a destination and himself as a high-end glass maker. He has recently renovated and upgraded his …
Pam Olson, owner of The Lady’s Room, an upscale women’s consignment boutique in Damariscotta, came to New Ventures Maine as she was in the process of opening her very first business. Pam remembers, “I had never worked in retail and knew practically nothing about the ‘behind the scenes’ of owning your own business.” In the throes of start-up, Pam enrolled in New Ventures Maine’s twelve-week business planning class. “The …
Written by NVME’s Midcoast Staff You’ve taken the first steps – deciding to look for a new job, start your dream business, or go back to school. You’ve made a plan, and you know what you need to do to get started. But now there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day or energy and attention to do it! How do you manage a marathon job …
Q. How did you learn about New Ventures Maine? I learned about New Ventures Maine through the Boothbay Region Community Navigator. I met with the Community Navigator staff about a year ago because I was struggling financially and I wanted to learn how better to manage my money, as well as find ways in which I could save money for purchasing a home. I was given a …
Written by Jenn Dobransky (Microenterprise Specialist, Midcoast Region) Transform Anxiety Taxes and record keeping can often be a source of confusion and anxiety for taxpayers. These emotions are typically a result of a lack of knowledge that many start-up businesses have. But with a little bit of information, that confusion dissipates and the anxiety transforms into empowerment. Get Your Records in Order The first step in preparing your …
Sometimes the hardest hurdle to overcome in facing your finances, searching for a job, or starting your business is the fear of NO. Why are you nervous about negotiating money? What if you don’t get what you want? Why are you hesitant to submit your resume and follow up with a potential employer? What if you don’t get picked for an interview? Why are you insecure about pitching your …
Accounts are now available! With Maine Family Development Accounts, you can save towards first-time homeownership, small business development, or your own education (i.e. associate degree, bachelor’s degree, certificate program, or coursework that will improve your earning potential). Here’s how it works: You save up to $1000 in your Family Development Account, and your savings get matched 4:1 (up to $4000). You can save over as short a time as …