New Ventures Maine has hired Vien Dobui to join the small business staff to coach entrepreneurs and teach business classes in Central Maine.

Prior to joining NVME, Vien served as a Certified Business Advisor at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Portland. At SBDC, he helped clients develop financial and marketing strategies and leverage resources and tools to achieve their small business goals.

As he began work in his new position, Vien said, “I am excited to apply my experience as an advisor and entrepreneur to a classroom setting.”

Vien has been building outstanding food and beverage businesses in Portland since 2014 when he co-founded Tandem Coffee + Bakery. There, he created systems and managed daily operations for the high-volume bakery.

In 2016, Vien started CÔNG TỬ BỘT, a James Beard Foundation Award-nominated Vietnamese restaurant. As executive chef, he created policies and practices that built a value-centered and humane company culture. CÔNG TỬ BỘT was Maine’s first independent restaurant to unionize in 40 years.

In 2023, he co-founded the Cambodian restaurant, Oun Lidos, named “Best New Restaurant” by Esquire Magazine in 2024. While Vien continues to run the two restaurants, he is no longer involved in daily operations.

Reflecting on his experience and the skills he will draw upon for his work at NVME, Vien said, “Aside from the obvious recent professional experiences I’ve had, I find that I consistently draw upon the skills I developed working as a public-school teacher in special education in California. In that role I learned to bend and adapt curriculum, knowledge, and teaching style to meet a truly wide set of needs.”

Vien lives in Portland with his family and still enjoys learning about the history and practical skills of cookery. To reach out to Vien, send an email to vien.dobui@maine.edu or call 207-621-3486.