Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 N OV E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 5 F O C U S FA M I LY OW N E D B U S I N E S S "ey bought me my first suit and taught me the ways of working with people," Martel recalls. "By the time I graduated from high school, that's what I wanted to do." He and his business partner, who grew up in Old Town, both worked for Service Corporation International, a large national strategic acquirer based in Houston, before starting on their own. Today, Milestone Funeral Partners has 39 equity owners, including more than 30 licensed funeral directors across seven states and two private equity backers – Bender Equity of Ridgewood, N.J., and Dallas-based Rosewood Private Investors. When Milestone makes an acquisition, it leaves the running of the business to the sellers. "We always have majority ownership, but the sell- ers have the opportunity to roll some of their equity into the Milestone organization, so they can in fact be partners," Martel explains. "We never want our professionals to look back and say, 'I hate the fact that I'm only a manager.'" Touting its decentralized, low-overhead approach, Milestone underscores that hometown relationships are the real "brand" that matters. In most cases, those in the market to sell find Milestone rather than the other way around, according to Martel. "We're not for everyone," he says, "but the own- ers who choose to partner with us have a pa ositive experience and usually refer their colleagues to call on us as well." Local alliance and regional growth Seeking to expand its range of services, Milestone recently joined forces with Mainely Urns, a New Gloucester-based manufacture of cremation urns and memorial products. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Congrats Maine Laboratories! Sincere thanks to the businesses, judges, and attendees who helped us celebrate Maine entrepreneurs at our LaunchPad live pitch event. Maine Laboratories earned our $50,000 grant, and Dirigo Sea Farm took home the Emerging Business Award. Thanks to all the finalists for great presentations and for representing the innovation that's thriving in Maine. SCAN TO LEARN MORE MCBLAUNCHPAD.COM Left to Right: John Burns, Steve deCastro, Kristine Delano, Katie Richards, Kate McAleer, and Katie Grant Mainely Urns in New Gloucester manufactures urns and memorial products sold under the "Urnspiration" brand. P H O T O S / C O U R T E S Y O F M A I N E LY U R N S

• Cover