Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 23 A U G U S T 1 0 , 2 0 2 0 Accompanying her artist's drive is a businesswoman's vision. As a freelancer, she saw that what she wanted to create wasn't something others would produce. "ey're going to do what's safe, what's selling," she says. "I wasn't concerned about what was selling, I just needed to get it out of my brain and on the fabric. It wasn't a want, it was a necessity." She didn't intend at first to give up her "very demanding" freelance career. But in less than two years, Oprah Winfrey's O magazine ran a full-page feature on her products, and that gave Flett the confidence to take the busi- ness to the next level. One last freelance job paid enough to cover the first year's rent on space in Westbrook's Dana Warp Mill, and she gave herself that year to see if she could make it. She never looked back. More magazine writeups followed, she connected with retailers — Daytrip Society in Kennebunkport and Blanch & MiMi in Portland were the first — and she doubled sales every year for the next five years. Flett attributes the popularity of her products to unique hand-printing, they're made in-house and in Maine and materials are carefully sourced. As a graphic designer, she also under- stood the importance of branding. "I created a brand out of the gate," she says. Moving up Flett moved out of the Dana Warp Mill early last year and into a 3,900-square-foot historic building at 2 Main St., in Gorham, which she leases from Great Falls Construction. e building has a retail showroom and doubled her space for manufac- turing and shipping. e move was exciting. "I finally get to play in a larger space," she says. Despite a walk-in slowdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the showroom has been a success, Flett says. Visitors, many who follow the firm's Instagram account, have come from as far as North Carolina and Texas. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » I wasn't concerned about what was selling, I just needed to get it out of my brain and on the fabric. It wasn't a want, it was a necessity. — Erin Flett Since 1989 Local Decisions Be Budget! 800.924.4229 www.bdtme.com Problems Solved. Budget Document Technology is an industry leader in providing digital solutions for document creation, production, and distribution. • Multi-functional Color & B&W Copiers • Printers & Scanners • Postage & Mailing Equipment • Software & Network Solutions • Managed Print Services Helping Maine get business done! Protecting dreams. Building assets. TheFirst.com/WealthManagement Individual | Nonprofit | Municipal RESPONSIBILITY FIRST Securities and investment products are not bank deposits, are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, are not obligations of, nor guaranteed by, any bank or bank affiliate, and may involve investment risk, including the possible loss of value or principal amount invested.

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