Mainebiz

V O L . X X X N O. X X V I I I D E C E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 2 4 24 O N T H E R E C O R D B Y R E N E E C O R D E S / P H O T O S B Y J I M N E U G E R B Y R E N E E C O R D E S / P H O T O S B Y J I M N E U G E R Adam Goldberg, president of the Maine Mariners hockey team, on what he likes most about his job: "I enjoy the chal- lenges and trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together — and the people I get to work with are the best part of it." Anna Ford, the Camden-based co- founder and CEO of Bookclubs, on what the platform offers: "We take the hassle out of starting and managing a book club so you can focus on reading, discussing and being together." Kelly Enberg, founder of LunaPro Nonprofit Consulting in Casco, on why she named her business after her daughter, Luna: "I am in awe of her bravery, strength and resilience — qualities that gave me the courage to set out on my own." Maryna Shuliakouskaya, the Belarus-born owner of multiple Aroma Joe's franchise locations and chief operating officer of Acadia Management Group, on what's stayed with her from her early days in this country: "inking positively and working hard got me from arriv- ing in the United States with just one piece of luggage 17 years ago to where I am today." Grace Mo-Phillips, seafood entre- preneur, program director of the CEI Women's Business Center in Portland and a 2024 Mainebiz Woman to Watch honoree: "I believe many entrepreneurs share a com- mon experience when launching a new business — they grapple with moments of self-doubt. While it's often said that you don't know what you don't know, entrepreneurs often possess more knowledge than they give themselves credit for." Jason Judd, executive director of Educate Maine, on similarities between running a nonprofit and run- ning a business: "Leading a nonprofit is much like running a business. It takes strong financial acumen, a great team of employees, a focus on the customer — in our case students and educa- tors — and constant innovation." And how they are different: "Nonprofits are highly collaborative, rather than competitive. With limited resources, nonprofits come together to increase impact. Developing partnerships is foundational for any nonprofit." Geoff Iacuessa, president and gen- eral manager of the Portland Sea Dogs baseball team, on his game- day responsibilities: "Anything and everything. ings always pop up, and that's what keeps it challenging, that's what I enjoy." Ebenezer Akakpo, an artist and entrepreneur from Ghana who incor- porates "Adinkra" symbols from his West African homeland into designs for jewelry, apparel and other objects, on why the symbol for endurance is his favorite: "To leave a culture that you're used to and move to a differ- ent culture, and to be able to survive, takes endurance." Abbe Chabot, a retired Maine State Police detective who now provides safety training as a manager at Dirigo Risk Management Solutions in Auburn, on lessons learned from Lewiston's deadly mass shooting in October 2023: "Communities become stronger when all facets of that com- munity pre-plan, know and support each other, and coordinate a response to threats of violence. To me, Oct. 25 was a reminder of how strong Mainers are. ere were many heroes in those buildings that night who saved lives because of the decisions they made." Brian Whitney, president of Maine Technology Institute, on what he sees as the fastest-growing sectors of Maine's economy: "We are witness- ing exciting growth in information technology, life sciences and bio- products, specifically forest bioprod- ucts and their conversion into new types of fuel, packaging and build- ing products that are reducing our reliance on petroleum-based prod- ucts." And the weak spots: "Access to workforce talent and capital continue to be challenges that restrain busi- ness growth." In every print edition of Mainebiz, we publish an "On the Record" interview in question-and-answer format with a business or nonprofit leader in Maine. Here are some memorable quotes from 10 movers and shakers we featured in 2024.

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