Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 S E P T E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 6 S TA R T U P S & E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P F O C U S that can assist in prototype refi nement. Successful results will also be incorpo- rated in Anchorpak marketing, he says. Lately, his workshop has been full of various types of fabrics and sewing implements. Apart from the MTI grants, Anchorpak has been self-funded. Sullivan-Stevens works on patterns and designs, which then go to Lewiston bag manufacturer Rogue Wear for produc- tion. He also works with home-based sewers. e fi nished work returns to his workshop, where he and two part-time employees pack it for wholesale shipment or individual orders from online sales. e bags range from $60 for the small "Pup" bag to $167 for a larger, waxed-canvas bag. Over the past year, he's sold about 2,000, mainly by word-of-mouth and "a tiny bit of national advertising," through Yoga Journal. He selected yoga practitioners as a potential market because the practice is aligned with the sort of physical well- being his bags accomplish. Wholesale accounts for about 60% of revenues. e bags are in 20 to 30 stores around New England. In June, he had an order of over 500 bags from Yale University Class of '91 for its 25th reunion. He's had displays at various festivals in Maine and New York. e bags are available online at anchorpak.com. Sullivan-Stevens design interests were previously more artistic than functional. "But since I've done a lot of sports and sailing, I'm sensitive to ergonomics and how outdoor, functional equipment works," he says. "It was really my friends who confi rmed my observation that this particular design works." e challenges of starting a company from scratch? "It's been a challenge understand- ing what the product is doing, how the product works," he says. " at's why we're doing the research. en there's growing the business part of it. With art, the market is much less organized. But when you have a product like this, it has to fi t into an existing framework of production and distribution. So getting up to speed with all the existing frame- works and operational aspects — it's not rocket science, but it's a lot of work." L S, a writer based in Bass Harbor, can be reached at @ . About 51,000 hours, actually, on average. And over that time, you've worked, sacrificed, lost sleep, and even saved a few bucks along the way. Our team will honor this lifelong effort with the same level of dedication—and the same work ethic— and the same work ethic— and the same work ethic that it took to realize your dreams. IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK TO RETIRE. OF WORK TO RETIRE. Securities and investment products are not bank deposits, are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, are not obligations of, nor guaranteed by, any bank or bank affiliate, and may involve investment risk, including the possible loss of value or principal amount invested. Investment Management. Retirement Planning. Trust Services | firstadvisorsonline.com | 866-563-1900 PROTECTING DREAMS | First Advisors PERFORMANCE YOU CAN TRUST First Advisors Portland, ME dunham-group.com 207.773.7100 Local Knowledge. Regional Focus. Global Reach. American Roots needed a new space for their growing apparel company... So, they chose The Dunham Group to tailor a seamless deal. The Dunham Group is proud to stand behind clients like Whitney Reynolds & Ben Waxman, crafting commercial real estate deals to help Mainers realize their vision and achieve business goals. Call or visit us online. Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with Getting up to speed with all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks all the existing frameworks and operational aspects — it's not rocket science, but it's a lot of work. — Colin Sullivan-Stevens

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