Mainebiz

V O L . X X I X N O. X X V O C T O B E R 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 24 FA M I LY - OW N E D B U S I N E S S Ryan Eldridge on 'Maine Cabin Masters' and married life with Ashley Morrill Mainebiz: How's business this year for Kennebec Cabin Co. and what's your outlook for 2024? Ryan Eldridge: Business had been steady despite the rainy summer. e last few weeks however, have been unbelievably busy, to the point that the staff has had two registers going. [My wife Ashley Morrill] and I were just talking about the impact of the nicer weather and leaf peepers. MB: What are some of the pluses and minuses of running a business with your spouse? RE: You had to ask, ha ha! Being small business owners in Maine is trying regardless of who you're partnering with, add in the marriage factor, and it magni- fies the highs and the lows. You're in this together and it has double the impact. ankfully, I think it gets easier the longer you work together, and your roles are defined. MB: How do you keep home and business life separate? RE: at is one of the hardest things to do and something that Ashley has made a point for me to do. As you get older, you realize the importance of mental health and the need for time away from work. ere is no better place for this than home. MB: What's something 'Maine Cabin Masters' viewers don't see on the show? RE: e viewers get glimpses of our amazing team, but I wish they could see more of them. None of our 'Cabin Masters' world would be possible with- out them. And this goes for our team of builders, our subcontractors, retail staff at Kennebec Cabin Co. and hospitality staff at the Woodshed. MB: What do you do when there's a disagreement? RE: Keep my mouth shut, no matter how hard it is. MB: Any advice you'd give to other couples or families about business ownership? RE: Don't give up when you hit your lows, it does get easier. And kind of like what I said above, when things get heated and you can't seem to agree on something, know when to walk away and address it later. Renee Cordes, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at rcordes @ 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 KENNEBEC CABIN CO. FOUNDED: 2020 WHERE BASED: Manchester WHAT IT DOES: Retail and ecommerce store; From the Woodshed podcast; offices and worldwide headquarters for "Maine Cabin Masters" series (on behalf of Kennebec Property Services) EMPLOYEES: 10 F O C U S When things get heated and you can't seem to agree on something, know when to walk away and address it later. — Ryan Eldridge Maine Cabin Masters P ROV I D E D P H O T O "Maine Cabin Masters" star Ryan Eldridge says that running a business with one's spouse — in his case, Ashley Morrill — "gets easier the longer you work together."

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