Mainebiz

V O L . X X X N O. X X I I I O C T O B E R 7 , 2 0 2 4 30 4 0 U N D E R 4 0 AWA R D An Ellsworth brewer and and City Council member Jon Stein, 36 Owner-founder, Fogtown Brewing Co. Significant professional accomplishment: My business, as it stands currently, is an accumulation of many small accomplishments that once seemed impossible. I'm very proud to have amassed a number of practical skills along the way, from bookkeeping to plumbing. Most significant has been the confidence to troubleshoot the seemingly endless issues and learn from the innumerable small failures that come with running a small business. Current state of mind: Tired! My business was just starting to hit a stride as the pandemic began. The constant flux in operation and difficulties with financing, as well as the struggle to find and train employees amidst worker and housing shortages in a rural, seasonal economy can be exhausting. But, as an entrepreneur I'm also ever-hopeful. Passion project: I'm currently two years into my first term as City Councilor in Ellsworth, where my business is located. Through my business, I've been able to connect and collaborate with local nonprofits and conservation groups in our area. And now through my role as Councilor, I can be a part of the incredibly dynamic conversations on housing, natural resources, municipal budgeting, and all the other complexities faced by a growing city. 'Lightbulb' moment: I realized there was a notable lack of community spaces (sometimes referred to as third spaces) in our town. Small breweries have often served as these social hubs for art, music and conversation, and there are many great examples of breweries in Maine that fill this need. I saw that Fogtown could serve as the first community space and really focus on filling this need, and this realization was largely the inspiration for starting the business. Audacious goal: I'd like to develop a system for converting food waste back into value-added products in our state. We've often taken Maine- grown goods like unpicked apples, winnowed blueber- ries, potatoes that are "too far gone" for food pantries and have created unique fer- mented beverages. I believe fermentation can serve as a great mecha- nism for pre- serving or con- verting would- be food waste on a larger scale. Favorite quotation: "Whichever of the two occurs, be patient" Influential book: "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss Best way to recharge: As we brought on and trained more employees, I found I rarely partook in the more creative aspects of the business, such as beer brewing and development, and label design. As our busy season winds down in the fall, I have developed a passion for cider: I'll go foraging for wild apple trees or abandoned orchards, and make small-batch dry ciders from the collected fruits. Learning about the history of heritage cider in Downeast Maine, and the endless varieties of fruits has been an amazing adventure, and an excellent way to recharge amidst the rugged beauty of the coast! At age 60: Perhaps building a cabin in some wooded foothills. A champion of Maine 'experiences' and education Lisa Sturgeon, 35 Founder, Getting Married in Maine LLC; instructor, Husson University College of Business Significant professional accomplishment: My greatest professional achievement is being a first-generation college student, earning both a bachelor's degree and an MBA, which transformed my family's socioeconomic future. Also, starting a com- pany where I get to work with an amazing team of partners who comprise other Maine businesses. Additionally, getting to work with stu- dents to help them develop their passion for hospitality and tourism. Current state of mind: I am a work- ing mom of an elementary school- age boy. We are experiencing the effects of climate change right here in Maine. And it's an election year. So "my world's on fire, how about yours?" Passion project: Growing up in Maine, I faced transportation and affordability barriers that limited my access to the state's abundant outdoor recreation and cultural opportunities. I currently serve on the Bangor Recreation Economy for Rural Communities steering committee, working to raise awareness of and improve accessibility to the area's incredible experiences. I love playing a part in their development. 'Lightbulb' moment: I planned my first large event at 13 — my eighth-grade dinner-dance. I managed the budget, designed the decor and coordinated with ven- dors. I'll never forget when the rental company asked me to sign the delivery agreement, only to realize I couldn't because I wasn't 18. That experience solidi- fied my passion for event planning. Today, I love blend- ing that passion with tourism and sharing mentorship opportunities with students and rising professionals. Audacious goal: I want to help create an experiences bank for Maine youth. While Maine is known as Vacationland, many young people feel there's not much to do. The issue isn't a lack of activities, but barriers like cost, transportation, access to gear or simply not feeling comfortable trying something new. Personally, I would also love to become a master gardener. Favorite quote: "Never be so clever you forget to be kind" — Taylor Swift Influential book: Professionally, "Leaders Eat Last," by Simon Sinek. Personally, "Outlive," by Dr. Peter Attia. Of all time, the Harry Potter series — it was my escape during my parents' divorce. Favorite movie, podcast or TV show: "Somebody Feed Phil," "Triple D," "The Lost Kitchen," "Ted Lasso," "Downton Abbey" and "The Devil Wears Prada" are long-term favorites. I also enjoy good documentaries or a series — "Welcome to Wrexham," "Finding Your Roots" and "Down to Earth" are ones I have recently enjoyed. Best way to recharge: Surprising to many, I'm an introvert by nature — I actually think a lot of people in hospitality are. I love unplugging, spending time with a good book, traveling and going on hikes with my son and husband. I also just got into standup paddleboarding. At age 60: Doing much the same as I am now — showcasing all the amazing things Maine has to offer, supporting the next generation of leaders, spending time with family and friends, and perhaps finally catching up on my TBR stack. Director of strategy and operations at IDEXX Veterinary Software Jay Tansey, 39 Co-founder and board chair, Sad Dads Club Inc., and director of strategy and operations, IDEXX Veterinary Software Significant professional accomplishment: Co- f o u n d i n g a n d l e a d - ing Sad Dads Club Inc. with my best friends and fellow loss dads in mem- or y of our daughters — Bella, Lila and Izzy. From the ashes of despair, Rob Reider, Chris Piasecki and I birthed a global commu- nity of bereaved fathers with thousands of active mem- bers from Portland to Paris and Auckland to Vancouver. Through daily Instagram posts, weekly meetings and events, biannual retreats (in Maine, of course!) and access to » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E P H O T O / S O U B A N H P H A N T H AY P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y P H O T O / S O U B A N H P H A N T H AY

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