Chances are, if you’re in business, you expect to - you need to! - make a profit. But profit comes in many different forms, and most are as valuable as money, if not more so. Life has taught me that the following, if practiced sincerely, will enlarge your customer...
By Matthew Haviland, Therapist and Maine Guide For those of us lucky enough to reside in Maine, we know about the ups-and-downs of living with the seasons. The summer’s warmer weather can bring both a hectic hustle as well as a leisurely sense of relaxation...
In 2004, Marketing and Business Strategist Shannon Cherry founded National Be Heard Day to offer a way for the millions of small businesses in the US make their voices heard.How to Celebrate National Be Heard Day Small businesses can build some marketing around the...
Small Business as Community BuildingLessons from bagels, entrepreneurship, and Maine’s business ecosystem I am one of the lucky ones. While not originally from Maine, my love of this state was forged over twenty years ago, and a bit farther out than most. Way down...
Editor’s Note: While URCI is known for supporting new and growing entrepreneurs, we are equally committed to helping established businesses improve efficiency and increase profits. As we expand our involvement in the regional food system, we emphasize that waste...
Why Coworking is Economic Development By Lauren Walker, CMO Coworks In a city like Ellsworth, Maine, community has always been the heartbeat. But as industries evolve and work becomes increasingly decentralized, economic development starts to look a little different....
URCI 2025 Year in Review + A Look Ahead to 2026 I feel like I blinked twice since previewing 2025 at the Union River Center for Innovation, and suddenly it’s time to recap the year and share what’s coming in 2026. It’s been a busy and exciting period as we continue...
Employee Retention, Spring Start-Up Cash, and Staying Sane in the Deep Freeze It feels like the perfect day to talk about winter cash flow - snow is falling here in Maine, the temperatures are dropping, and unless you’re lucky enough to be next to a ski resort, you...
Not an either / or decision. “I have a small business. Should I spend the money on a website, or can I just use social media?” This is a question small businesses wrestle with every day. The appeal of social media on its own is understandable. It’s mostly free....
Addressing food insecurity in the face of the US Government shutdown Although we were planning to share a post from Eric Treworgy from his succession planning series, we are switching gears. It would be next to impossible not to be aware of the current state of food...