Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 27 S E P T E M B E R 7 , 2 0 2 0 F O C U S S TA R T U P S / E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P In June, TreeFreeHeat signed a distribution deal with Back40, a three- year-old startup that operates an out- door gear ecommerce site launched in 2017 by Henry Gilbert. Like the connection with farmers Maguire and Hunter, the partnership was forged in Maine's energetic startup community. Both Veilleux and Gilbert were contestants in the "Greenlight Maine" pitch competition. ey for- malized their connection at a Central Maine Tech Night in Waterville. 'He's someone who can make this work' Maguire says that Veilleux's tenacity and focus are also what gave them the confidence to partner with him. "We see Dylan listening, he's absorbing everything," she says. "He's someone who can make this work." Rimsa says that when he starts working with someone, "an important focus is learning to be comfortable with change." "Building things is really about being a detective," he says. "I've learned that the people who make the most progress are the ones that are most comfortable with adapting. Keeping an open mind to being wrong and adjusting to reality is exactly what separates Dylan from most everyone else." Rimsa says Veilleux is also fearless about experimenting with different products and customers. "But it's the dedication he applies once he discov- ers what works that has propelled TreeFreeHeat's growth." Once Veilleux finds success, he "quickly develops and documents processes, sets stretch objectives, and works tirelessly to outperform," Rimsa says. "He doubles down on what works and forgets the rest." While others see the hard work and ability to grasp the process that's gotten Veilleux this far, the entrepre- neur sees not so much the small steps as a bigger picture. "What I love is to find a path I haven't been on, and there are a lot of cool views," he says. "And I keep going to see what's there." Maureen Milliken, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at mmilliken @ mainebiz.biz Everything your small business needs. In one place. 207-854-6000 • infinityfcu.com Westbrook • Portland • Scarborough • Bangor • Arundel Leading Credit Union Lender 2018 - 2019 A "surprise" offshoot of Dylan Veilleux's work to find a sustainable energy use for discarded hemp stalk is the fire starters that he created last year, which have taken off as a product. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y C E N T R A L M A I N E G ROW T H C O U N C I L P H O T O / M A U R E E N M I L L I K E N

• Cover