Photo Credit: Chris Bennett

40 Stories for 40 Years – Profilee 38

Terry reached out to New Ventures Maine (NVME) in 2017. He was unemployed, new to Aroostook County, and interested in “starting a business properly.”

Terry wanted to start a business that allowed him to use a Computer Numeric Control machine to fashion signs for retail. Terry began exploring his business idea in NVME’s Introduction to Self-Employment workshop and then completed his business plan through the Business Basics class. Later, through 1-on-1 services provided by NVME, Terry continued to develop his entrepreneurial skills. NVME assisted him with finding a “better direction” and establishing the “procedural aspects” of his business plan. “NVME staff member, Karin Petrin, was able to clarify many of the aspects that I had to struggle through. Now, she continues to support me and answers questions that I have from time to time,” he shares.

Terry now owns and operates Maine Cedar Signs. He credits NVME with helping him to “take more time to develop his plan” through “inspirational and informative” services. As a result, he “developed a customer base that exceeded my original expectations.”

Terry shares that people starting new businesses may need to acknowledge that they “need to crawl before they walk.” He now knows that starting a business takes time. “You have accomplished the necessary steps of the start-up process, and then you can develop future goals,” he says.

What is in Terry’s future? He will continue working on the development of his product line as he builds a stronger presence in the marketplace. He also loves completing custom projects and hopes to develop this side of his business.