Fast Forward Maine Podcast: Recent Episodes
Fast Forward Maine
Are your “we’re hiring” pleas being ignored? Discover how to attract more qualified employees and reduce friction in the hiring process in this week’s episode.
https://www.fastforwardmaine.com/99
Cash management issues can strangle your ability to grow and prosper in your business. Discover some of the biggest pain points and how to avoid them, including fraud. https://www.fastforwardmaine.com/98
Company growth doesn’t just happen. To scale up, you’ll need to do the research to understand the pain points your customers suffer from. Here’s how.
Are you investing in leadership in all levels of your company? Discover what that looks like and how to bring in an outside trainer.
There’s a lot of variables that go into running a successful business, but there are ways to simplify things to accomplish growth and keep from being overwhelmed. Here’s where to start.
I'm a big fan of LinkedIn. I know LinkedIn isn't cool. I recognize it's not the birthplace of dank memes or viral videos. But when it comes to helping me grow my business, it's one of the best, most rewarding tools out there.
What is leadership? Are you a leader just because you own a company? Or can you lead, even if you have people above you? In today's episode we're going to explore what it means to be a leader, and how you, as an owner, can become a better leader, bringing your team along for the ride.
Zoom, GoToMeeting, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams (ugh), aren’t going anywhere, so as business professionals, leaders, and owners, we need to improve our game on these video conferencing platforms. https://www.fastforwardmaine.com/92
Say it with me… “Pinterest is a search platform.” Yup, it’s true. Just ask Pinterest expert, Lindsay Shearer. She shared with us specific tips to help drive more organic traffic to your site and how turn that into customers.
Do you understand your business financials? Can you create projections for the coming year? In this week's episode of the Fast Forward Maine podcast, we chat with Raynor Large on how to read your financial tea leaves. https://www.fastforwardmaine.com/92
Public speaking is a critical skill for all business owners and leaders. Whether you are managing internal communications, a sales call, or taking the stage. If you don't feel comfortable presenting, you're at a competitive disadvantage. Today we speak with Communications Coach, Elizabeth Peavey.
This week on Fast Forward Maine we're going to be talking about digital transformations and digital marketing and how they will help your business grow. We're speaking to Jenna Chouinard, owner of JC Marketing Group. Through her experience she's been able to identify what a well-oiled marketing machine not only looks like, but also how it should be properly executed. With so many moving parts in marketing, she simplifies it and boils it down to the key areas that need to be focused on to see results.
What are the mistakes that business owners make? How do you handle your first hire? What's more important: systems or financials? We'll get to the bottom of all your questions with business consultant Bradshaw Swanson!
Discover how to protect your growing business from phishing scams, fake websites, and other cyberthreats with cybercrime expert Brandon McDonald.
Never let a crisis go to waste. We'll look at what Maine businesses did to survive and even thrive during the pandemic so that you can be better prepared for the next crisis your business faces. We are joined by Tina Oddleifson who is a small business advisor for the Maine Small Business Development Center in Portland.
Thinking about buying or selling a business? In this week's episode, we discuss what you can do to maximize the value of your company before selling it, and what to consider when buying an established business.
Thinking about buying or selling a business? In this week's episode, we discuss what you can do to maximize the value of your company before selling it, and what to consider when buying an established business.
Does your business need an operating system? Maybe that seems like an odd question because when we think of an operating system or OS, we think of the software that powers our computers, tablets, or smartphones. But the same approach can turn your struggling business into a growth machine! We'll learn more about whether or not you need one, and how to implement one in this week's episode of Fast Forward Maine.
https://fastforwardmaine.com/84
This week on Fast Forward Maine we're going to be talking about content marketing and its role in attracting more of your ideal customers.
To help us out, we've got Allie Ulrich, Content Manager at Envirologix, who shares her process of creating the content that answers customers' questions, reduces their risk aversion, and fills them with FOMO?
This week on Fast Forward Maine we're going to be talking about what it will take to bring broadband throughout the state of Maine.
We've got President and Chief Operating Office of GWI, Kerem Durdag, with us, to talk about why broadband is essential to the growth, health, and well-being of the people and the business ecosystem here in Maine.
https://www.fastforwardmaine.com/82
Show me the money! In this week's episode of Fast Forward Maine we're going to be looking at one of the main barriers to growth...a lack of funding. There are tons of ways to get your growth funded in Maine, and Diane Sturgeon from the SBA will share them all and how to approach each one.
https://www.fastforwardmaine.com/81
Maine has a workforce problem. Although no one solution will fix it all, today we speak with Tae Chong about how immigrants and a healthy approach to DEI can make a big difference for your business and for Maine.
https://www.fastforwardmaine.com/80
This week on Fast Forward Maine we're going to be talking about how to generate positive press and media coverage for your company. We've got PR expert and podcaster Kristan Vermeulen on the show and she's going to talk about everything that goes into good PR, from developing your brand story, to developing relationships with journalists, to the evolving role of PR in a social media world. https://www.fastforwardmaine.com/79
What goes into the branding of a growing business? Is it your logo? Your colors? Your business cards or trucks? In today's episode we talk to branding expert Emily Brackett on what goes into a successful company brand and what impact it has on your bottom line.
As business owners and leaders, we all want more sales. How do we get that? Is it by hiring better sales people? Lowering our prices? Better marketing material? Before you take any of those steps, you need to understand the customer journey, which has changed dramatically over the past year. In this week's episode, we chat with Tom Morgan, sales trainer and consultant, on the role of the salesperson in your organization. We talk about the customer journey, the impact of COVID on the sales process, and the one thing that's missing from most successful sales teams. If you're looking to generate more sales from your ideal customers, stop what you're doing and hit the play button now on this week's episode! https://www.fastforwardmaine.com/77
Do you wish the politicians in Augusta would listen to you? Do you wish you could have an impact on the laws that govern your business, your work force, the taxes you pay, and more? Well, in this episode, the Honorable Amy Volk is going to show you how YOU can have an impact on the laws that impact your business, and your success. If you're looking to grow your business in Maine, you'll want to know how Augusta actually works.
It's been 75 episodes and Yury is leaving! Before he goes, though, he has five life lessons he wants to share.
With recreational or “adult use” cannabis now legal in Maine, what impact will that have on your business? How will it impact your hiring process, your health insurance, and your government contracts? To find out, we chatted with Kristin Collins at PretiFlaherty, who has been helping Maine businesses navigate these tricky waters.
Do you struggle with what to charge? Are your prices too low or too high? And how can you raise your prices without scaring away your customers? Today we dive into the math and psychology of pricing, and how you can attract your ideal customers with the right pricing strategy with Lori Allen of the Maine Small Business Development Center.
Are you looking to grow your company? Or maybe you’re looking for an exit strategy? In either case, the answer might be in an M&A: a merger and acquisition. Today we talk to M&A expert George Raftopoulos, founder of ROI Cubed, about what you need to know whether you’re looking to buy or sell, and how things like financials, mission, and culture all play a critical role.
How does Maine stack up against other states for our economy? There are plenty of factors to look at, and the Maine Development Foundation is measuring all of them!
From wages to entrepreneurship, the cost of doing business to broadband access, the Measures of Growth report considers a wide variety of factors and rates them all. They’ve even included some new measures this year including racial/ethnic income equity and pre-K education.
For a breakdown of the report’s findings, we talk to the MDF’s Executive Director, Yellow Breen.
Due to social distancing, facemasks, and work from home orders, networking events ground to a halt in 2020. Sure, there are virtual networking events, but can you really make meaningful connections in 2D?
Networking expert Debra Boggs enthusiastically says yes! and shares specific tactics on how to work a Zoom breakout room and make connections on LinkedIn.
Get ready to up your virtual networking skills with this week’s interview!
Maine has a challenge in keeping young people here in the state. But as owners and employers, we can do our part to keep them here, or get them to return after college. What they need is opportunity.
But are there challenges in finding, hiring, and managing a young person? Leah Gulliver from Eastern Maine Development Corporation joins us this week to talk about the benefits of keeping young people here in Maine and what you can do to help.
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. What do those terms each mean, and how can you implement each in your business?
Chris Hunt, the Associate Provost for Community, Equity, and Diversity at the University of New England joins us today to talk about the power of a diverse workforce, and the benefits it brings your company.
Discover how to overcome hidden biases in your hiring practices, and create an environment that gets the most out of your team in this week’s episode.
When CEO Kevin Hancock was diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia at a critical, challenging time for his company, he wondered how he could lead his team out of the housing bust.
However, he discovered the power of shared leadership, which he wrote about in his book The Seventh Power. In this week’s interview, Kevin shares with us his journey and how you can implement shared leadership in your own company to empower your people and grow your business.
High-performing women often have more barriers to overcome than their male counterparts, both internally and externally. To support their professional growth and to improve your own business, you need to understand what might be keeping them from leveling up and make sure they have the resources to succeed.
This week we talk to business coach Jodi Flynn of Women Taking the Lead on how to best nurture high-performing women.
As an owner, do you have too many things to get done in a day? Are you often the bottleneck in your own business growth? Do you find yourself working late nights and weekends, and missing time with your family? Have you considered hiring an Executive Assistant? Derek Volk, President of Volk Packaging, shares with us how his life and business have changed since he brought on his EA.
Discover the trigger point for hiring an EA, how the hiring process works, and how to get the most out of your EA in this episode of Fast Forward Maine.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, has become a goal for many businesses, but what does it exactly mean? Are there real and tangible benefits of DE&I, or becoming an LGBTQ-friendly workforce? We sit down with Ed Patterson, Head of Global Communications for Hill+Knowlton, to talk about what companies should be doing today.
Would a Board of Advisors or a Board of Directors help jumpstart your company? If so, which is right for your business, how do you find the right people to sit on your board, and do you need to compensate them? We’ll tackle all of these questions and more with Colleen McCracken.
he coronavirus has ravaged Maine’s business ecosystem with no end in sight. Businesses, schools, and organizations are opening, but with many restrictions. How do we get out of this? What is Maine’s economic plan for recovery? Today, we talk to Joshua Broder, CEO of Tilson and co-chair on Governor Mills’ economic recovery committee to see what the future will bring.
Should you worry about your employees’ financial health, knowledge, and well-being? How your employees feel about and manage their money can directly impact your bottom line. Empowering them through education and training can provide them with a peace of mind that will cut down on “presenteeism” and make your workforce more productive.
Do you ever wish you could get free business advice from someone in your industry, or who has been through what you’re going through now? The answer may be in joining or starting a mastermind. What is a mastermind, and how do you run one? Great questions, which we’ll answer in this episode.
How healthy is your company’s cash flow? How often do you check your business financials, and which ones are you reviewing regularly? If these questions make you clutch at your chest, you can relax! Earle Durham from Supporting Strategies is here to help you make sense of your business financials, understand your cash flow (and how to improve it), and make sure your numbers make sense to you.
Do you believe that some people are just born to be great salespeople and other people aren’t? Well, sales, like just about everything else, is a skill that can be improved upon and mastered. Bob LaBrie, of LaBrie Training and Consulting breaks down the sales process into achievable pieces, talks about the Internet’s impact on sales, and even “reads” Rich and Yury!
How protected are you and your company from a cyberattack? Think that only big corporations are at risk? Think again! Cyberthreats come in all sizes, and many target small to medium sized businesses that haven’t put cybersecurity measures or training into place. Rob Simopoulos, co-founder of Defendify, is here to share with you how you can protect your company.
Do you ever wonder why your website doesn’t appear at Google? Why your competitors show up in all the local searches? John Paglio, Digital Marketing Specialist from flyte new media, is our guest today and breaks down what you need to do to get to the top of the first page of Google.
Are you looking for ways to fund your company and you’re interested in venture funding? Perhaps you wonder what it is, and whether it would be a good fit for your business? Today we’re talking to John Burns of Maine Venture Fund to get all your pressing questions answered!
What is a personal brand, and can it really help you stand out and generate more business? Nancy Marshall of Marshall Communications shares the benefits of developing a personal brand, how you can get started, and what a difference it can make to your business.
Looking for a way to fund a new product or offering, but not sure if a loan or angel investment is right for you? Have you considered setting up a crowdfunding campaign on KickStarter or Indiegogo? This week, Maddie Purcell, founder of Fyood Kitchen, shares her story of setting up a successful crowdfunding campaign, and what lessons she imparts to others.
Social distancing. Stay at home orders. New safety precautions for businesses. How can a business make meaningful connections with its customers and clients? The Entrepreneur on Fire, John Lee Dumas, speaks to six ways to connect in a meaningful way with your customers, clients, and peers during a crisis.
You’ve heard about the power of storytelling, but exactly what kind of stories should you be telling as a business owner? Are there different stories for your customers, employees, and stakeholders? Different stories depending on where you are with growth? And when is the best time to deliver these stories? Chris Brogan, the creator of StoryLeader™ system, shares how to tell the stories that make a difference.
With fifty episodes under our collective belts, we take a look back on what we learned from our guests, the Coronavirus pandemic, and each other.
Video is a powerful tool for connecting you to your ideal prospects and customers. But what type of video should you be using, and how can you be leveraging video to best tell your story? Alex Steed from Knack Factory shares how you can create engaging, powerful videos to reach new audiences and grow your business.
Working with a remote team has both challenges and opportunities for growing businesses. Chris Clegg of Portland Marketing Analytics has been working with a remote team for years, long before it became fashionable or required. Because of that, he knows the tools, tactics, and apps to keep a remote team engaged and productive.
There are many paths to growth in business, but one that’s proved successful for Maine-based FlowFold is in creating beneficial partnerships, most famously with L.L. Bean on their signature Bean Boot. Co-founder of FlowFold, James Morin, shares with us what owners can look for in strategic partnerships that benefit both sides.
Business owners often turn to Google to do research for their business plan or other marketing. However, that only scrapes the surface of what’s available in terms of government and other data that’s out there. For that, you’ll need to travel to your local public library (in person or virtually.) You thought Google and Facebook knew a lot about you?!? Then you’ll be blown away by the data your local public library has on you and your buying habits!
Do you see “sustainability” as an added cost for your business? An expense that hurts your bottom line? Then you’re doing it wrong. By injecting sustainability into your business processes, you can reduce expenses, generate more revenue, boost goodwill, and run a more successful company. Marty Grohman from E2Tech shares some of the ways businesses can avoid “greenwashing” and actually get down to being a positive force in their community, all while improving their bottom line.
Whether employment is low or high, there’s always a competition for the best talent. One of the ways you can set your business apart and help with the recruitment process is by employing videos. We sit down and chat with Rachel Knight of Destination Occupation, who shares tips and tactics for using videos and attracting the type of employees that will help you grow your business.
These days, the “customer journey” invariably takes people online. They Google their questions, they ask their Facebook friends for recommendations, they spend hours in their email inbox. How can your business position itself to meet your ideal custom
What is customer experience and why is it so important to your business? Regardless of your pricing, products, or positioning, at the end of the day you succeed or fail based on whether people enjoy working with your company. That comes down to customer experience, and it starts even before the top of the funnel and goes well past the purchase of a product. Yury Nabokov, the Customer Experience Manager at Machias Savings Bank (and regular co-host of this podcast) sits in the guest seat this week to help us improve our customer experience.
Have you considered moving your business to Maine? People move to Maine all the time because they’re looking for a higher quality of life, a better place to raise their children, or to be closer to outdoor activities. But businesses are also moving to Maine. What are the benefits? Are there any downsides? Peter DelGreco of Maine & Company talks about the benefits of moving a business to Maine, and why so many Maine companies are welcoming new “competition” with open arms.
Have you ever run into a cash crunch in your business? Was there a time when you wish you had access to more capital to expand, hire more employees, or get a critical piece of equipment for your business? FAME, the Finance Authority of Maine, helps companies even without pristine credit access business and agricultural loans so they can grow. Jennifer Cummings, the Director of Business Programs, shares the ins and outs of this program.
You hear a lot about storytelling these days, and how businesses can use stories to attract customers and employees alike. But how do you craft a compelling story? What are the components? And where do you share it?
David Lee of HumanNature@Work has been teaching storytelling to leaders and owners for over 20 years, and he shares with us how to craft the story that will attract that A-List employee to your team.
Have you considered selling your products abroad? Looking for international opportunities as a growth strategy? But not sure where to start, or how tariffs, trade wars, or foreign laws might impact your chances?
Wade Merritt, President of the Maine International Trade Center, shares how to get started selling internationally, go on trade missions, and greatly expand your revenues.
Have you considered looking to the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) for funding? Perhaps you heard that it’s not so easy? Well, MTI has simplified its process for grants, loans, and equity investments. Amy Leshure from MTI is here to share the changes, the process, and just how varied the types of businesses they assist can be.
Have you been looking to move your retail store online? Or start selling your products and services direct from your website? In this interview, e-commerce expert Becky McKinnell of iBec Creative walks us through the questions you should be asking from how many skus to how to ship, security to acquisition costs, and a whole lot more.
Have you ever wanted to go after government contracts, but were unsure where to start? Federal, state, and municipal projects come up all the time, at all different sizes for all different types of companies and industries. Find out how you can stay on top of these projects and how to land them, with procurement expert Bryan Wallace of the Maine Procurement Technical Assistance Center.
Whether you’re in B2B or B2C, customer service is a must these days. If people don’t feel like you or your employees care about them, they’ll take their business elsewhere.
That’s why this week we’re chatting with John Kenneally of Kenneally and Company on the role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Social Intelligence (SI) when it comes to provide excellent customer service.
Maine needs skilled, experienced workers, and transitioning military might be at least part of the answer. Boots2Roots is an organization that helps transitioning military find and land jobs in Maine, playing matchmaker with companies and organizations that are looking for a wide variety of skilled employees. Executive Director, Bill Benson, shares why Maine employers and veterans make such a perfect match.
Trademarks. Copyrights. Intellectual property. What do you need to know about these items to protect your ideas, and how do you stay out of hot water when it comes to work for hire, contractors, and social media?
This week we speak with Andrew Kraus of Opticliff Law, an IP expert, on what growing businesses need to know about all forms of protection for ideas and how to avoid trampling on someone else’s rights.
Are you running your business without a business plan? Is it because the marketing component has you scratching your head? How do you know where to get the information about potential customers and competitors so that you can put together a meaningful plan?
In this week’s episode, we’ll chat with Certified Business Advisor Gigi Guyton from New Ventures Maine on how to put together an effective business plan and a whole lot more.
Understanding business insurance may not be the reason you went into business in the first place, but not understanding risk, coverage, and compliance could undermine everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
In today’s interview, we talk with Josh Fifield, Senior Account Executive at Clark Insurance. He shares some new forces that could be driving up your costs, including Social Inflation and Social Engineering, and what you can do to protect what you’ve built.
What is branding, and how can it help your business grow? What’s the difference between branding and marketing? Is branding only important to big corporations like Apple and Nike, or can it make a difference to a small, growing business in Maine?
In today’s episode, we chat with branding expert Sean Wilkinson of Might & Main, on what goes into a successful brand, and how you can improve your own company’s brand.
Every great leader--in business or in life--needs to learn communication skills. If there’s a communication breakdown with your team, you can’t accomplish your goals and objectives.
Led by Executive Director Yellow Breen, this non-partisan organization is helping to revitalize Maine's downtowns and elevate our next generation of leaders. They have their finger on the pulse of the changes that are impacting Maine's economic and workforce situation, and what needs to happen to improve them.
Discover how the right assessment tools and technologies can improve your hiring process, making sure you're getting the right person in the right position at the right time, so your business can grow and flourish.
It's been said that it's difficult to run a successful business in Maine. There are tax issues, regulation issues, and workforce issues. It can be even tougher in the rural sections of the state Yet many business leaders are making it work. Larry Barker, the President and CEO at Machias Savings Bank, is a Mainer born and bred, and has a unique perspective on building a business in Maine, and what it takes to survive and grow a company. People from all over seek out his business advice, and we have him on today's episode! So don't miss out...find out what to do when a new competitor enters your space, how to differentiate yourself from others in your industry, and why becoming a "purpose driven business" can make all the difference.
Do you really need a business plan to succeed and grow your company? If you are looking for funding or financing, those who invest in your success are going to require it. Even if you don't need outside financial help, a business plan provides a blueprint for your success, and helps uncover stumbling blocks. In today's episode, Kathleen O'Donnell from SCORE shares with us why a business plan is important, the elements of a successful plan, and how you can create one that will work for your business.
With the unemployment rate in Maine--and the entire US--at a historic low, it's often difficult for companies to find the skilled workers they need to grow. But according to Stephanie Gill of IntWork, the solution may be hidden in plain sight. Maine has plenty of skilled workers in the form of work-ready immigrants who were STEM workers in their own country and are proficient English speakers. What do you need to know to tap into this workforce and start growing your company here in Maine?
Writing a book about your business, industry, or professional expertise will immediately provide you a new level of credibility. As an author, you'll get asked to speak more often, get calls from journalists looking to speak with an expert, and be able to close more deals. But how do you write this book? How do you get started? Get published? What are all the things you need to know along the way? In this episode of Fast Forward Maine, we talk to Julie Anne Eason who has helped dozens of business owners turn their know-how into books that attract and convert customers.
The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs has some amazing programs like Top Gun, Cultivator, and MarketShare Accel, to support growing Maine businesses and the entrepreneurs that power them. One constant in all their programs is mentors. Why are they so important? How can they fast track your growth? How do you find one that's right for you? And if you're looking to mentor someone, how can find the right mentee? We get into all of this and the offerings of the MCE with Executive Director Tom Rainey.
CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.) is working to build an economy that works for everyone here in Maine. From business advisors to financing options, CEI serves all groups in Maine looking to provide good jobs and a sustainable business ecosystem. Today we talk to Jennifer Sporzynski about how it all works.
Hiring the right person for an important position can be one of the most critical aspects of a growing business's success. How to draft a job application? How to vet candidates? How to hold interviews? How to avoid biases? If you're looking to improve your hiring process and build a team that builds your success, you'll want to hear what globally certified career counselor Holly Smevog has to say!
Running a small business can be difficult if you don't have the right resources for growth. Thankfully, in Maine, we have the Maine Small Business Development Centers to support our small and micro-businesses. Peter Harriman, Center Director for the Maine
Stress. Burnout. Overwhelm. These factors are not just impacting your employees, they're impacting your business. Discover how to re-invigorate your team with passion and purpose and reap the benefits on your own bottom line.
A lot of business owners say they're interested in business growth, but there are real and imagined roadblocks along the way. Is your company ready for growth, or do you need to "shore up" your resources first? More importantly, are you ready for growth? Many business owners are secretly sabotaging their own growth and success. Discover whether you're keeping yourself from growing, and what to do about it with business growth expert, Michelle Neujahr.
Do you enjoy public speaking? According to studies, few of us do. In fact, many people fear public speaking more than death! Yet, in business we're constantly involved in public speaking. Whether we're on stage, at a board meeting, doing a sales presentation, or just speaking to a co-worker, it's all public speaking. In today's episode, we speak with Lee Ann Szelog, who trains business people on how to speak with confidence and authority, regardless of the setting. Whether you're looking for a promotion, a sale, or to rally the troops, you'll get a lot of actionable tips from Lee.
Public relations, or PR, is about a lot more than crisis management, but it is critical to have a plan in place in case things go wrong. PR expert Linda Varrell stops by the Fast Forward Maine studios this week to talk about crisis management, the role of PR in your company, how PR impacts how people see your business, and a whole lot more. If you've ever wondered how PR fits in with your business strategy, you'll want to check out our interview with Linda!
Each year, more companies are turning to ESOPs to fuel growth. They increase employee engagement, provide owners an exit strategy, and have incredible tax benefits.
Podcasts are going mainstream. Apple spun off podcasts from iTunes into Apple Podcasts. Spotify has jumped in and is now the fastest growing podcast aggregator in the world. Google has made it even easier to listen to podcasts on Android devices. And Stitcher puts all the world's podcasts into your car radio. So, how can you leverage this increase in podcast listeners? What type of content should you be creating? And maybe most importantly, how can you turn listeners into customers? This week we have Tanner Campbell from the Podcast Pod joining us in the studio to discuss how businesses can capitalize on podcasts, how to build an audience, and how to turn attention into business. If you've ever wondered how to get started in business podcasting, or you just want to improve the business podcast you already have, read on!
Most growing businesses don't invest enough in their marketing. Are you guilty of the same? In this week's episode we speak with Lou Zambello of Opus Consulting on how growing business need to market their businesses.
What's the future of higher education and training...and what does it have to do with your business?
As you grow your business, you'll need to develop effective teams to succeed. In this week's episode leadership expert Patrick Veroneau speaks to us about the five dysfunctions of poorly performing teams, and how to build a work team that will grow your business.
Looking to grow your Maine-based business? Are you scalable and looking for investment? Ready for your seed round? If so, then Scratchpad Accelerator may be for you! In this episode, we talk to Jason Harkins about Scratchpad Accelerator's role in helping Maine business scale up, and quickly!
There are plenty of unique obstacles and opportunities for a family owned business. From succession plans to family dynamics, these companies face challenges other companies don't run into. Thankfully, there's an organization in Maine dedicated to helping these businesses grow and improve: The Institute of Family Owned Businesses.
Whether you run a startup or have been in business for years, chances are at some point you've wanted access to more money.
Are you a "maker?" Do you have a physical product that you're producing or manufacturing here in Maine? Did you know that Made in Maine can help you? To discover how, check out this week's Fast Forward Maine podcast episode now!
All growing businesses look to hire employees who can help with their finances, but many end up hiring the right person for the wrong role.
Do you have a full HR department or just someone who handles HR along with all the other hats they have to wear? In today's episode, we talk to Angela Hansen of KMA Human Resource Consulting, who breaks down everything your growing business needs to know about HR. What are the bare minimums? What's legally required? Do you really need an employee handbook? What happens when things go really, really wrong?