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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 23 S E P T E M B E R 5 , 2 0 2 2 S TA R T U P S / E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P F O C U S and prosper," says Friedlander. "One of our past participants aptly called it a 'three-day MBA.'" e Mount Desert Business Boot Camp launched five years ago, when Kathy Miller, executive director of Mount Desert 365, emailed Friedlander to discuss ways to spur economic growth through sustainable business models and new business ventures that would work well in the community. Mount Desert 365 is a commu- nity nonprofit dedicated to promoting long-term economic vitality in the town of Mount Desert. Friedlander is the Sharpe-McNally Chair of Green and Socially Responsible Business at College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor. e first boot camp was held in 2018. Facilitated by Friedlander, there were 20 participants representing 10 local busi- nesses, plus a dozen mentors. "Before this program, many of the business owners had never made a PowerPoint presentation and few had a strong understanding of how to evaluate the financial health of their enterprises," says a follow-up statement from Mount Desert 365. A pitch competition was held on the third day. By that time, the statement says, "every one of them could perform a breakeven analysis of how key business decisions will affect their cash flow and balance sheet. ey could also deliver a succinct sales pitch on how their business meets customer needs, with PowerPoint slides, to a packed crowd in under three minutes." Standing room-only Miller recalls wondering if the competi- tion would draw the larger community. "We did a lot of promotion, but you just never know who's going to come out on a Sunday afternoon in March," she says. "It was standing-room-only. And after all the pitches, there was a standing ovation. I think it's because it's a small community. People take such pride in these great small businesses." e second event was in 2019 and the third this past March, with 38 hours of programming, 18 participants and 10 mentors. Each competition attracted a packed crowd. Businesses presented three-minute pitches to a panel of judges and in-person and virtual audi- ences, competing for $5,000 to $10,000 in awards. Bar Harbor Bank & Trust sponsored the event; the Knowles Co. and Hannaford provided support. is year, nine businesses were new, many launching just before or during the pandemic, and one in the planning stage. ey include food, flowers, retail space, oyster cultivators, an "exercise lab," and a proposed makerspace. Unrealized potential Boot camps have the ability to boost business potential, Friedlander says. "Whether on MDI or in one of the programs we've done with startups from 13 states, all communities have a lot of unrealized potential," he says. www.mced.biz / info@mced.biz We're dedicated to providing Maine entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to accelerate their businesses. MCE PROGRAMS Top Gun Cultivator and MarketShare Food Accelerators BioInnovate BioStartup Visionary Leadership Program Compass So many of our local businesses were founded by what I call 'accidental entrepreneurs. — Jay Friedlander College of the Atlantic C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Jay Friedlander, a College of the Atlantic business professor, says boot camps help fill the "skills chasm" that can otherwise cost businesses of all kinds. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F T R I S TA N S P I N S K I

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