From the Sea Up

We checked in with some of the business owners we first spoke with at the start of the pandemic to see how things are going—Alison Thibault, owner of WindHorse Arts  and Liz Lovell of North Haven Brewing Company.

Cyndi Prince is the founder and CEO of LooHoo, which makes wool dryer balls—a reusable, energy-saving alternative to dryer sheets. Cyndi started LooHoo—a women-owned and Black-owned business—in her home and now leverages a local supply chain to meet a global market. Cyndi discusses how Maine’s business community can address racial injustice, and how organizations can help amplify black voices.

The Island Institute presents Commercial Currents, a show about small businesses on Maine's Islands and Coast. If you're a small business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just interested in small business in Maine, this is the show for you!

The hospitality industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, and unfortunately, the Topside Inn is no exception. Rather than shut their doors, Innkeepers Mark and Brian Osborn got creative and rethought their business model. 

Produced and edited by Galen Koch of The First Coast.

As global food systems break down due to the pandemic, restaurants already utilizing local food systems have an advantage. We discuss how Sammy’s Deluxe, a restaurant known for its hyperlocal supply chain, has adapted in uncertain times with owner Sam Richman.

Produced and edited by Galen Koch of The First Coast

Melissa Kelly is the executive chef and owner of Primo Restaurant. She shares how she was able to pivot quickly in response to the pandemic, the importance of embracing innovation, and how her new business model cultivated a hyperlocal community.

Produced and edited by Galen Koch of The First Coast.

In our first mini-episode, we hear from Mandy and Dylan Metrano of La Nef Chocolate on Monhegan Island. We discuss the challenges of running an exclusively e-commerce business on a remote island, and the importance of cultivating a community with their customers.

(Photo: Kelli Park kellipark.com/)

Peter Piconi, Marine Business Specialist at the Island Institute, talks with Brendan Parsons of Black Stone Point Oysters LLC. Brendan is an oyster farmer, a restaurant owner, and a three-time Maine Oyster Shucking Champion. They discuss the importance of network building in an uncertain economy. 

This episode features Galen Koch of The First Coast.

We talk with Liz Lovell of North Haven Brewing Company about how they're adapting in uncertain times. We also chat with Rebecca Falzano, co-founder of Helm Digital, the marketing firm that created Maine Open Online, the free online directory for small commerce in Maine.

Small businesses everywhere are struggling to make sense of the current world. To better understand the state of our local businesses, we talked with Shannon Byers of the Maine Small Business Development Center at Coastal Enterprises. Shannon has been helping businesses navigate federal aid, innovate, and think creatively.