Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I N O. X X I I I O C T O B E R 6 , 2 0 2 5 14 4 0 U N D E R 4 0 AWA R D A fitness entrepreneur pumped about growth Molly Brubaker, 38 Founder and owner, Baby Booty Greatest achievement: Birthing and raising two super cool, super smart, tiny humans Ella and Beau; creating some- thing that has become way bigger than me (it's a cool feeling walking into your busi- ness and not knowing all the cli- ents yet); and being a guest on my all- time favorite podcast, NPR's "How I Built This with Guy Raz." Passion project: Tweaking, scaling and leveling up my business. I'm constantly thinking of new class types and offer- ings and ways to go beyond the norm of what else exists in the space of fit- ness and community for new parents. Lightbulb moment: I realized I was going to lose a lot of who I was (as a new mom) if I couldn't figure out a way to work out while also caring for my baby. As a lifelong athlete, exer- cise has been crucial to my mental health. Baby Booty was born from a personal need for not only exer- cise, and a sense of purpose, but unknowingly at the time, I needed connection with other moms. We now have hundreds of new parents in two studios connecting and sup- porting one another in our classes seven days a week. Influential book: "Profit First," By Michael Michalowicz (this book changed my thinking as a "strug- gling" entrepreneur) Favorite movie: "Good Will Hunting" — mainly because the line "How do you like them apples?" is exactly how I feel every time someone underestimates what I can build. Personal hero: My brother Nate — I have always aspired to be as cool as him. Favorite quote: "If you hold on to the handle, she said, it's easier to maintain the illusion of control, but it's more fun if you just let the wind carry you." — Brian Andreas B e s t w ay t o recharge: I love doing triathlons and have done three this summer. I'm also training for a Hyrox race. Maine's biggest challenge: Most apparent to me is the opioid crisis. Dinner party guests: I didn't know either of my grandmothers, Meryl and Gladys, and I'd like to think I get some of my grit, confidence and sass from a line of strong women in my family. I'd also love to meet Laura Modi, CEO of Bobbie, because she's led a much-needed shift in infant nutrition and challenged long- held norms in the U.S. Boosting health and well-being for others Mary Butler-Fleming, 29 CEO, Community Care Partnership of Maine Greatest achievement: The births of my sons have been my life's greatest achievement and joy. Professionally, I am most proud of our organization's successful transition to directly employ- ing our staff in 2025. Being just named one of the "Best Places to Work" in Maine was a fitting culmination of this hard work, and a direct reflection of our incredible team and the culture we've built together. Passion project: Most Saturday morn- ings, our family visits our eight acres, where we dream of building our home someday. It's where we find joy in the little things like picking wild raspberries. (My son Noah has had many "Blueberries for Sal" moments this summer.) In many ways, this project is a microcosm for the rest of my life: a space to practice finding contentment in the present while thoughtfully planning for what's next. Lightbulb moment: My light- bulb moment came in 2019, when CCPM celebrated a land- mark year of success in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. By deliver- ing high-quality, cost- effective care, we had earned a finan- cial reward that enabled contin- ued investment to promote the health and well-being of our communities. I remember the palpa- ble sense of positive momentum. Influential book: "When Breath Becomes Air," by Paul Kalanithi, a 36-year-old neu- rosurgeon facing terminal cancer. It prompted me to con- sider my own values and purpose, and reminded me to live intentionally, especially in the face of uncertainty. Favorite movie: "Father of the Bride" is my all-time favorite comfort movie. It never fails to take me right back to my childhood and always feels like home. Personal hero: My grandfather Tom Tennett, who we sadly lost in 2022. He was a devoted family man, a supportive and loving grandfather, a longtime high school basketball coach, a teacher and so much more. He instilled in me the value of discipline, respect, hard work and always putting family first. Favorite quote: "A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." — James Keller Best way to recharge: I love spending time with my family. My perfect week- end includes some time at our land, a long walk, reading a good novel while I rock my kids for a nap and hosting a laid-back, family-style dinner with our loved ones. Maine's biggest challenge: Ensuring the state is a vibrant, welcoming place to live and work. Addressing complex issues such as the affordable housing crisis, demographic shifts and the out- migration of young people, and threats to public health is critically important. By focusing on innovative solutions, Maine can turn these challenges into opportunities for a stronger, healthier future and set the standard for what it means to be a great place for all to call home. Dinner party guests: I would choose my maternal grandfather Tom Tennett and my paternal grandparents, Owen and Joyce Butler, who have all passed away. It would mean so much to reunite with them, to hear their laughter fill the room and to have them meet our boys — and I'd have to ask my Grammie Butler to make her famous homemade bread. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 1 2 I'm constantly thinking of new class types and offerings. — Molly Brubaker Baby Booty

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