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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 D E C E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 2 1 F O C U S WO R K F O R C E D E V E L O P M E N T Eventually, Brubaker may look into expanding class offerings to suit tod- dlers as the little ones get older and into teaching classes at other gyms, saying, "We don't want to lose the community, so we'll have to figure that out." Asked whether she ever sees herself returning to a salaried job, Brubaker says, "I'm so used to now being home and having the flexibility of building something of my own, so I'm not sure. It's exciting." FUN FACT: Americans filed a record 1.4 million applications to start new busi- nesses during the first three quarters of 2021, according to an analysis by the Washington, D.C.-based Economic Innovation Group using U.S. Census Bureau data. Boomeranging back to Maine Like millions of others who moved during the pandemic, electrical engi- neer Stephen Mead boomeranged back to western Maine this September to be closer to family. He and his wife moved here from Portland, Ore., with their two children, ages four and eight, three chickens and a Basset hound, Daisy. ey are now living at his family's camp in Lovell. Part of the attraction was the fact that Mead's employer, an Idaho-based engineering and environmental- based consulting firm, has an office in Freeport, about a 90-minute drive from where Mead's parents live. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F S T E P H E N M E A D C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Our clients benefit from generations of knowledge, now and in the years to come. Portland, ME | 207.773.7100 | dunhamgroup.com "The Dunham Group invests in its younger brokers," says broker Sylas Hatch. "You're learning on the job...it's really helpful to learn how someone with decades of experience handles situations with clients." Setting our clients up for continued success starts by sharing knowledge from one generation to the next. The Dunham Group Knows Smart Investment Opportunities Sylas Hatch, Broker and Tom Moulton, Broker | Partner There is simply no substitute for good judgment and getting things right the first time. That's where Drummond Woodsum attorneys Dan Rose, Pete Felmly, Tom Trenholm, Allen Kropp, Michael Buescher, S. Campbell Badger and Elek Miller can help. A group of highly specialized attorneys focused on providing human resource professionals with the guidance they need in dealing with personnel matters. We practice law differently. Since 1965. Workplace Solutions for Maine Employers dwmlaw.com dwmlaw.com | 800.727.1941 800.727.1941 Stephen Mead with his family and childhood friend Katie Shorey, at far right.

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