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V O L . X X V I I I N O. X M AY 1 6 , 2 0 2 2 30 S M A L L B U S I N E S S F O C U S Cranberry Oysters, Great Cranberry Island Lauren Gray started Cranberry Oysters on Great Cranberry Island in 2015 and has been pursuing the enterprise full- time since 2018. Starting with four 400-square-foot lease sites, 10 growing cages and 25,000 tiny oyster seeds, she's about doubled production each year after that, selling to local outlets and joining the Maine Oyster Trail. In 2019, she got a 20-year lease of 5.25 acres and is planting 300,000 oyster seeds this year. She recently won the Judge's Choice Award during Mount Desert 365's third annual Mount Desert Business Boot Camp, which came with a $5,000 prize. e money is going toward building a new float. "It's where I run my operation," she says. "It's a whole day out there — long hours and a lot of labor." Oysters take on average four years to grow to market size. Four years ago, she planted 125,000 seeds. "I'll be happy if I sell 60% to 70% of that," she says. Next steps? "When you start a business, every- thing is so scrappy. You're in survival mode and investing in equipment that's going to last is difficult," she says. "Now I'm headed toward paying attention to the process and trying to streamline as I scale up." Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Whether you've been thinking of replacing or expanding your existing deck or if you're adding a new deck to your home or camp, Hammond Lumber Company has everything you need to get started right away. You'll find a variety of both wood and low-maintenance composite decking options, railings, posts, fasteners, and accessories from leading manufacturers. Hammond Lumber Company will be happy to guide you through your selection options for your deck project and create the right design—and we will even come out for a jobsite consultation if you'd like. Let us help you bring your vision to life this summer! Enjoy life outdoors on your new deck Auburn • Bangor • Bar Harbor • Belfast • Belgrade • Blue Hill • Boothbay Harbor Brunswick • Bucksport • Calais • Camden • Cherryfield • Damariscotta • Ellsworth Fairfield • Farmington • Greenville • Machias • Portland • Rockland • Skowhegan HammondLumber.com IN WESTBROOK, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS A TOP PRIORITY A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE NUMBER AND T YPES OF BUSINESSES OPERATING IN OUR COMMUNIT Y; THE WORKFORCE NEEDS OF OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES; COMPANIES THAT QUALIFY FOR CERTAIN BUSINESS INCENTIVES AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS; AND RECOGNIZE ANY CHALLENGES THAT ARE THRE THREATENING OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES; AND A DIALOGUE BET WEEN OUR BUSINESSES AND LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS. CREATE ANTICIPATE IDENTIFY GAUGE DEVELOP OUR BUSINESS CONNECTION SURVEYS, AND ON-SITE VISITS WILL: westbrookmaine.com/bre P H O T O S / C O U R T E S Y O F C R A N B E R R Y O Y S T E R S It's a whole day out there — long hours and a lot of labor. — Lauren Gray Cranberry Oysters Lauren Gray tows new gear to her five-acre Cranberry Oysters farm site off Great Cranberry Isle. She's looking to streamline the growing business.

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