Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 33 A U G U S T 1 0 , 2 0 2 0 I've been exposed to mean people," Neal says. By moving two doors away, she got a lot of help from some nice people. "We turned it around in 10 days. We had 40 people come and help us move on a Saturday night," she says. "We adapted." Since then, she has bought the build- ings housing two stores, in Rockland, at 408 Main St., using an SBA 504 loan, and in Camden. Stores in Brewer (2017) and Hallowell (2019) followed. e breakneck pace con- tinued with an expansion into downtown Bath earlier this year. "I don't truly plan things out. It's more for me about taking the oppor- tunity when it's there and it feels right," says Neal. "ere are not a lot of places in the state that need an independent store of this kind. Unless someone closes or sells — there are not a lot of places I'd think of. I want to grow but it has to make sense." Kate McAleer, a friend and founder of Rockland-based Bixby & Co., said Neal "has built out her retail go-to market strategy with amazing execution. Heidi has created an extraordinary busi- ness that serves a need. Her customer service and pet relations are incredible." One thing the pandemic forced the company to do was add online shopping — and the Loyal Biscuit staff did it in its customary speedy fashion. "We did that in three days," Neal says of the online buildout. With more people getting dogs during the pandemic, the stores have been busy. "More and more people are getting dogs because they are home and look- ing for companionship and all that," she says. "Now that people are allowed back in stores, definitely seeing a lot of puppies." P e t e r V a n A l l e n , M a i n e b i z e d i t o r , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t p v a n a l l e n @ m a i n e b i z . b i z a n d @ M a i n e b i z E d i t o r A two-day virtual forum for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. Join us as we bring together Maine's best professionals to share their expertise, insight, knowledge, and experience on a variety of topics that business owners and managers need to know. The Small Business Virtual Forum REGISTER AT MAINEBIZ.BIZ/SMALLBIZ A P OR T ION OF T IC KE T SA L E S WIL L BE D ON AT ED TO T HE SM A L L BU SINE S S REC OV ERY & REL AUN C H INI T I AT I V E SP ONSORED BY Join us on Zoom August 18 & 19 2:00 – 3:00pm Five Things You Need to Know For Your Business Mainebiz has invited five CEOs from the Maine small business community to share their experience on "Five things you need to know to start up or run a small business" Each panelist will discuss one thing you need to know to be successful. P A N E L I S T S : Joshua Buck — Maine Malt House / Clayton Kyle — Clynk / Heather Ashby — coworkHERS / Rob Simopoulos — Defendify / Erin Flett — Erin Flett Textiles and Home M O D E R A T O R : Katie Shorey — Startup Maine DAY 1 — A U G U S T 1 8 10:00 – 11:00am Finding the funding to fuel your startup or small business Hear from our panel of experts as they discuss what resources there are for grants, loans, investments, and other financing. Learn about what kinds of loans and funding you should consider and how to talk to your lender. P A N E L I S T S : Sandra Stone — Maine Angels / Andrew Furman — Infinity FCU / David Grenier — Kennebec Savings Bank / Brian Whitney — Maine Technology Institute M O D E R A T O R : Mark Delisle — Small Business Development Centers 12:00 – 1:00pm Keynote interview with Senator Angus King Grab your lunch and join Senator Angus King, as he talks to Mainebiz editor Peter Van Allen on the economic landscape for startup and small businesses in Maine, and what the state and federal government offer for resources and support. 2:00 – 3:00pm Commercial real estate 101 Our panel of experts will help you understand how to lease or buy commercial real estate. Do you understand zoning options, types of lease terms, is leasing or buying a better option for you, and how to negotiate with landlords, developers? How can the economic development offices help you? What are the top key things you need to know before investing or growing your business? P A N E L I S T S : Eben Adams — Pierce Atwood / Garvan Donegan — Central Maine Growth Council / Jessica Estes — Boulos M O D E R A T O R : Gary Vogel — Immediate Past President of MEREDA DAY 2 — A U G U S T 1 9 More and more people getting dogs because they are home and looking for companionship … Now that people are allowed back in stores, we're definitely seeing a lot of puppies. — Heidi Neal

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