Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 D E C E M B E R 1 5 , 2 0 2 5 events, increase early childhood reading activities, offer more parent education workshops and strengthen partnerships that promote literacy from early childhood onward. Maine Credit Union League in Westbrook announced that its Ending Hunger Challenge raised a record $238,217, more than double its origi- nal goal, to help fight food insecurity. Portside Real Estate Group in Falmouth and Absolute Title LLC in South Portland said that it raised $14,000 to benefit Habitat for Humanity 7 Rivers during its Hops for Habitat event. Hannaford Supermarkets in Scarborough donated $20,000 and 20,000 pounds of food to Youth Full Maine in Biddeford and Wayside Food Programs in Portland to provide a boost to food programs this holiday season. The University of New England in Portland was awarded a four-year, $1.6 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to expand workforce training in medication-assist- ed treatment and recovery for opioid use disorder in the state's rural reaches. GREATER REACH. STRONGER SERVICE. DEEPER COMMITMENT. Grow your business with reliability and confidence. FidiumBusiness.com | 1.844.343.4862 67,000+ fiber route miles 250,000+ on-net / near-net buildings $1.7 Billion+ in network investments since 2020 A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y C a r r i e G r e e n Y a r d l e y , A C E b o a r d m e m b e r The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a nonprofit association of independent consultants who value "success through collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. Q: I'm a service professional and I've set 'take a vacation' as a New Year's resolution. How do I let my clients know? ACE advises: For many professionals — especially in service- heavy roles — the thought of a vacation sparks anxiety. The concern isn't missed flights or sunscreen; it's clients—their needs, expectations, and fear that stepping away will cause everything to unravel. You need and deserve time off. Melissa Olander, founder of On Point Business Consulting Services and an ACE vice president, says, "Taking time for yourself and/or your family is essential for your well-being. Last summer, a few days in a cabin with zero cell service taught me just how refreshing it can be to truly step away." Most clients don't expect constant availability — they want clarity. Preparing them well protects your vacation and reinforces professionalism. Olander notes, "Setting clear boundaries builds client trust — they see that I plan and prioritize effectively." Start with advance notice — two to three weeks is ideal. Mention your time away in signatures, meetings and a short message outlining dates. Early notice allows clients to adjust timelines and raise questions. Create a communication plan. Clarify whether you'll be offline or occasionally check- ing messages, define emer- gencies, and identify a backup contact. A brief checklist helps clients organize before you go. Laura McDowell, a certified EOS Implementer and ACE vice president, says she typically sets up an out-of-office mes- sage and empowers the practice manager to handle anything urgent. "We usually communicate via Google Chat, but when I'm on vacation, she knows to send me a text message if something truly can't wait, which helps me stay out of my inbox completely. Don't underestimate the power of delega- tion … No business is too small for support — even a few hours a week can make it easier to step away when someone you trust is keeping an eye on things." My own away message asks clients to send a separate text notifying me if an email is urgent. Based on empirical evidence, most (read: all) are fine with waiting until I'm back. Before leaving, tie up loose ends and set expectations for your return. Taking time off isn't unprofessional — it's sustain- able. Boundaries build trust, and you return sharper and more effective than if you tried to "power through" without a break. Carrie Green Yardley practices law at her own firm, Yardley Esq. PLLC. She recently spent two weeks in Italy, and the world did not end. For a "Vacation Prep Checklist for Busy Businesspeople" contact her at outreach@consultexpertise.com.

• Cover