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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 23 M AY 1 6 , 2 0 2 2 F O C U S S M A L L B U S I N E S S I n July 2021, Ryan and Emily Ordway rolled out a partnership with Studio Portland, in Portland's Arts District, to reboot as a production and train- ing center called the Recording Club at Studio Portland. e concept was a hit, launching a growing schedule of training programs and private bookings and a slate of cross-industry projects. Recently, the schedule included recording and production of podcasts for several local business owners, a slew of audio books for large publishing houses like Penguin Random House, voiceover work for film and TV studios like HBO and Apple, a production camp for high school students, and meetings with local broadcasters. "We're starting to get the kind of emails and calls that say, 'I've heard you're the place to be,'" says Emily Ordway. "at's the type of feedback that's thrill- ing for us because it means, 'OK, we're building a reputation.'" Many small businesses experienced similar excitement as the pandemic crisis began to ease in 2021. As another business owner says, "When you start a business, everything is so scrappy." at vigorous spirit has helped the small- business community navigate not only the challenges inherent in setting up a new operation but also difficulties of this particular time, including staffing short- ages and supply chain woes. We checked in with business owners from Portland to the Cranberry Isles to see how things are going. e general sentiment? A certain optimism bolstered by strong metrics. The Recording Club, Portland Ryan Ordway's background is as an audio producer, engineer and songwriter. Previously operating in Falmouth, the combination of Studio Portland, itself designed for recording, and Ordway's expertise and professional-grade equip- ment seemed ideal. "We've seen an absolute boom to our business" working with new artists and renting studio time to engineers and record label projects, says Emily Ordway. A recent recording camp fea- tured Wells rapper Spose and attracted returnees and new students. "It was so inspiring to see these kids so deeply tuned in and lit up, and is especially exciting to see more female students taking an interest in audio engineering and production," she says. Further plans include additional high school and adult programs, a year-round vocational training program launching in September, and building a scholarship fund through a partnership with Creative Portland. e couple recently installed a new and larger recording console. ey credit building owners David Hembre and Jill McGowan, an architect and fashion designer, with attracting other creative tenants from outside of Maine, including video producer Timber + Frame and music producer Fulton Street Music Group. "e potential across industries is really very exciting," she says. Lock in your rate with us beginning June 1st > Electricity > Hea ng Oil > Kerosene > Propane > Natural Gas > Gasoline > Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel > Off-road Diesel Comprehensive energy op ons for your business cnbrownenergy.com CN Brown Company has a variety of rate plans that are suitable for the smallest businesses to the largest en es. Choose a plan based on your business's size and unique needs. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » We're starting to get the kind of emails and calls that say, 'I've heard you're the place to be.' — Emily Ordway the Recording Club SMALL BUSINESSES Scrappy Despite labor shortages and supply chain issues, there's optimism B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r

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