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Terry Rattie – Woodland

Terry working in his wood shop

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 measuring woodTerry 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.

ClassDateProgram AreaLocationRegion
Pricing Strategies2023-03-23 March 23, 2023Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Introduction to Self-Employment2023-03-23 March 23, 2023Start a BusinessONLINE EveningStatewide
Introduction to Self-Employment2023-04-04 April 04, 2023Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Tax Readiness for the Self-Employed2023-04-06 April 06, 2023Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Business Basics2023-02-07 February 07, 2023
(ends April 11, 2023)
Start a BusinessPortlandSouthern
Work for Yourself@50+2023-04-11 April 11, 2023Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Business Basics2023-03-29 March 29, 2023
(ends April 12, 2023)
Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Introduction to Self-Employment2023-05-02 May 02, 2023Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Introduction to Self-Employment2023-06-06 June 06, 2023Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Business Basics2023-05-31 May 31, 2023
(ends June 14, 2023)
Start a BusinessLewiston Western
Grow Your Business Online2023-03-06 March 06, 2023
(ends August 31, 2023)
Start a BusinessOnline AnytimeStatewide