We are excited to announce the winner of our fall 2017 Marketing Mini-Grant competition for small businesses in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties. Congratulations Lincey Viel and Arthlin Jewelry! The fall 2017 Marketing Mini-Grant was awarded to Arthlin Jewelry LLC of Auburn, Maine. Arthlin Jewelry was selected from a strong group of applicants throughout the western Maine region. Criteria for the contest included gross revenue criteria and having five or fewer employees. …
Written by Chris Davis, Western Region Workforce Specialist Many people have money sitting in their savings account or stashed in their freezer. This can be a good thing until you compare it to how much you would earn by investing a part of it each month. If fear or a lack of know-how keeps you from making the step towards investing, here is some info to help you move forward. …
Written by Karleen Andrews, Western Region Microenterprise Specialist We are excited to announce the winners of its marketing mini-grant competition for small businesses in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties! The mini-marketing grant for May 2017 was shared between two businesses. They are Needless, Co of Lewiston and Sew Crazy of Wilton, Maine. The funds from the New Ventures Maine Marketing Mini-Grant will be used towards elements of the marketing …
Written by Karleen Andrews, Western Region Microenterprise Specialist Does your business feel like it is just coming out of hibernation? Over the winter, perhaps you had your collar turned up against the extremes of high operating expenses and lower revenues. Now, you are hungry for sales, and you may turn in any direction to find them. This is a great time to evaluate the business, develop a plan and …
Congratulations to Pleasant River Farms in Mason Township for being selected as our Western Region’s Marketing Mini-Grant recipient for November 2016! Dean and Deborah Richmond started this family farm ten years ago with a small herd of cattle. This farm specializes in organic, grass-fed beef. They are currently the only Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association (MOFCA) certified organic beef producer in Oxford County. To meet their commitment to …
New Ventures Maine is pleased to announce the addition of two new Workforce Specialists. Sherrie Brann is based at UMA’s Handley Hall in Augusta and will provide career planning and financial education services in Kennebec and Somerset Counties. She has a BA in English from the University of Maine (first in her family to graduate with a degree) and a MS in Education from Walden University. Sherrie lives …
A Lewiston resident submitted the winning business plan to New Ventures Maine, (NVME), host of a 2016 InnovateHER competition. Debra Anne Matthews’ proposal for a Lymphatic Retreat Center will now be forwarded to the Small Business Administration, the competition sponsor, to compete for cash prizes at the national level. The InnovateHER challenge taking place throughout the country, is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to contribute to addressing unique challenges facing …
We are excited to announce the winners of our Downtown Dollars marketing mini-grant competition for small businesses in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties. One mini-marketing grant was awarded to Fiber and Vine on Main Street Norway, Maine. This is a retail shop of both fine wines and high quality fibers located in the first floor of the renovated opera house. Fiber and Vine engages with other businesses on a …
We are excited to announce that we are hiring two Workforce Development Specialists in our Central and Western Regions! Workforce Development Specialist TWO POSITIONS AVAILABLE Maine Centers for Women, Work, and Community (soon to be known as New Ventures Maine) has immediate openings for two Workforce Development Specialists (WDS). Position One (Central Region) will be based in Augusta with outreach and travel throughout Kennebec and Somerset counties. Position Two …
…take these steps: Identify your thoughts, fears, and frustrations around your former job and acquiring a new job. Examine your financial needs. Who can you turn to for help and support? What programs are available in your community? Are you eligible for unemployment benefits? Conduct a self-assessment. Take stock of your interests, skills, abilities, and experiences. Are there common themes? What did you like best and what did you like …