Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1546328
V O L . X X X I I N O. X I X 38 Fact Book / Doing Business in Maine B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E S S CORE, which matches mentors with entrepre- neurs, is a resource part- ner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. In June, at SCORE's annual luncheon, nine small businesses were presented with awards. e event, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport and attended by 120 people, is a "must-attend" annual occasion for the business commu- nity, with recognition not only for SCORE volunteer mentors but also for the people who run small busi- nesses in Maine. Among the guests at the lun- cheon were Diane Sturgeon, dis- trict director of the SBA's Maine operations; Mike Duguay, com- missioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development; Brian Whitney of Maine Technology Institute; and Gail Kezar, a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine. e keynote speaker was Amanda Lacy, CEO of Bijou Build, which makes packable backyard play structures that have found a customer base around the world. e Camden-based company had its first sale on Christmas Day 2022, and is on track to reach $8 million in sales this year. After the pandemic, "play is the connection we're all craving," she told the audience. SBA's resource partner 'scores' with small business awards B y P e t e r V a n A l l e n P H O T O / P E T E R VA N A L L E N P H O T O / DA N R E E D M I D C O A S T D R E A M S D I G I TA L P H O T O / DA N R E E D M I D C O A S T D R E A M S D I G I TA L P H O T O / DA N R E E D M I D C O A S T D R E A M S D I G I TA L Nancy Strojny, left, presents the SCORE Home-Based Business award to Nondas Iacovou and Melissa Fuller of Studio 89. At far right is SCORE mentor Joe Michaud. The SCORE Success Awards at the June 10 luncheon in Freeport. SCORE mentor Jon Anderson, left, with Brian Bates, owner of the Outpost in Farmington. Bates received the Veteran- Owned Business award from SCORE. Amanda Lacy, owner of Bijou Build, was the keynote speaker at the SCORE luncheon on June 10 in Freeport.