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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 S E P T E M B E R 7 , 2 0 2 6 Portland office supply store to close this fall Portland's Wigon Office Supplies was abuzz with activity on a recent weekday as teachers from local schools stocked up on binders, clipboards and other sup- plies for their students — at no cost. As the 94-year-old downtown institution prepares to close its doors this fall, land- lord J.B. Brown & Sons decided to pay homage to its longtime tenant by host- ing a two-day community event ahead of the start of the school year. Longtime Scarborough seafood restaurant closes Bayley's Seafood Restaurant in Scarborough closed ursday, Aug. 20, marking the end of three decades as a Pine Point Road dining spot. e clo- sure came during the restaurant's first summer back in operation after a series of setbacks that kept it off the dining scene for an extended period. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N MaineHealth's Center for Tobacco Independence received an $80,000, two-year grant from the Maine Cancer Foundation to expand access to to- bacco treatment services for individu- als receiving behavioral health and Trusted Counsel Maine Entrepreneurs Count On 207.774.2635 | PERKINSTHOMPSON.COM | 200 MIDDLE STREET, SUITE 901, PORTLAND, ME 04101 Your Success is Our Legacy. Building a business means making decisions that shape its future. For more than 150 years, Perkins Thompson has worked alongside Maine entrepreneurs from startup through growth, providing experienced counsel on formation, contracts, intellectual property and beyond. We take the time to understand your goals and provide clear guidance and practical judgment at every stage. A n s w e r e d b y R a c h e l B a t t a r b e e , G u i d e d M a k e r s A S K AC E 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. ACE member Rachel Battarbee is founder and president of Guided Makers, a growth consultancy for established apparel brands. She can be reached at rachel@guidedmakers.com Q: How do I find the right resources for my new business? ACE advises: Finding the right resources starts with get- ting clear on what you actually need. Resources come in many forms — funding, mentorship, expertise, networks, technology and more. Start by identifying your most press- ing constraint: Is it capital? Talent? Knowledge? Strategy? The answer shapes where you look. The resource ecosystem. For Maine businesses, the eco- system is richer than many owners realize. Starting out. If you're early stage, free resources like SCORE and the Small Business Development Centers offer one- on-one advising and workshops across the state. They can also introduce you to their ecosystem partners. For example, Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) provides both capital and advi- sory support, particularly for businesses with a community or mission focus. The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs runs programs like Top Gun that connect you with seasoned men- tors and a peer cohort. In many cases the mentor and peer relationships continue after the programs and become one of your most valuable resources. Funding. If funding is the gap, look beyond traditional bank loans. The Maine Technology Institute offers grants and equity investment for innova- tive companies. CEI and other community development financial institutions provide flexible lending when conventional financing isn't available. Don't over- look the Finance Authority of Maine and the Small Business Administration. Both have loan guarantee programs, which can open doors with lenders who might otherwise pass. Peers. Beyond programs and capital, the most valuable resource is often other business owners. Maine's entrepreneurial com- munity is unusually collaborative. Getting involved in organiza- tions like your local chamber, industry associations, and other affinity groups like the Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) or the Institute for Family Owned Business puts you in rooms where people share what's working, and what isn't. Takeaway. When asking for help, the key is to be specific. "I need resources" is too broad. "I need to understand my cash flow better" or "I'm ready to hire my first employee and don't know where to start" gets you a useful answer and the support you need!