Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1520514
S M A L L B U S I N E S S VOL. XXX NO. XI "SBDC got the ball rolling on getting me the contact information I needed to get the deal done," says Begley. e transactions finalized December 2022. Begley now has six employees, including married chefs Clara and Eddie Lucier, whom Begley credits for the restaurant's success. Although 6 miles from Dover-Folcroft's down- town, the restaurant attracts custom- ers from throughout the region and publicity from publications like Down East magazine. It surpassed 2022 sales nine months after he bought it. "I call it our little waffle nirvana," says Begley. Like Begley, many clients who approach SBDC need information about how to plan and finance a small business. "ey're great at making a pie or making candles, but what they don't know is, 'How does this make money? How much do I have to sell? What are the costs to set up and run this business?'" says Delisle. e mission is to give clients the tools and templates for doing the nec- essary work on topics such as business planning, finance and marketing. "We're not there to write their business plan," says Delisle. "We're there to educate them and teach them how to be sustainable." Back of the napkin Katie DeLorme came from a 35-year career in integrative physical therapy and health coaching to launch Maine Sol Botanicals with her collection of salve and scrub products made from natural ingredients. For years, DeLorme had been growing herbs and flowers in her back- yard, keeping bees to harvest the honey, and making salves and teas as gifts. After a sabbatical from work, DeLorme decided to turn that inter- est into a business. But at age 60, she had never set up a website or pursued » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 8 » F O C U S P H O T O / F R E D F I E L D Owner Michael Begley at Peace Love Waffles in Dover-Foxcroft poured coffee through locally produced maple cotton candy to make maple coffee. Katie DeLorme of Maine Sol Botanicals in Scarborough says Maine SBDC helped with her website, wholesale opportunities, financial goals, trademark, regulations, e-commerce and value proposition. M AY 1 3 , 2 0 2 4 26 PROVIDED PHOTO / MAINE SOL BOTANICALS You don't have to do it alone. — Katie DeLorme Maine Sol Botanicals