Resiliency….

In Maine, resiliency practically saturates the soil. It’s imbued in the diverse landscape… mirrored in the evergreen trees who grow continuously despite the harshest of conditions… it’s a spirit that resides deep in the hearts of those lucky enough to call it home.

This is especially true for small business owners who, by nature, are courageous enough to step into—and become quite familiar—with uncertainty in order to create something meaningful in their communities time and time again.

This year was no exception, and instead, became the epitome of that reality.

Given that small businesses make up 99.2% of Maine’s economy and close to 60% of our state’s workforce (Maine SBDC, 2020) the magnitude of the pandemic’s effects on them is one that is yet to be fully measured. Of course, I think we can all agree that 2020 has been uniquely confronting for everyone in their own ways. It’s a period that has asked (sometimes forced) us to turn within and reflect on what really matters in life—to face the way we’ve always done things, let go of our “normal” tendencies, and adapt to forge innovative paths forward and new ways of being.

This holiday season, we feel more strongly than ever that it’s important to celebrate the resiliency and offerings of fellow small business owners that make a big impact right here in Maine.

So instead of doing a traditional “gift guide,” we have compiled a handful of reputable people + places for you to have as resources for when you feel called to support their work. In addition to local designers, artisans, and shops, you will also find practitioners we know + trust for you to keep in mind for your own health + wellness needs going into the end of the year and beyond.

Thank you for reading and joining us in showing some love for Maine’s small businesses.

LOCAL ARTISANS

ALICE YARDLEY DESIGNS

Alice Yardley is a contemporary handbag designer based in Portland, Maine. After studying Art and Art History domestically and abroad, Alice worked as a high school art (and math) teacher for many years in the Bronx.  Throughout her education and teaching experience, she developed her love for fashion, leatherworking, and accessory design. With an appreciation for local artisans and businesses, Alice is able to utilize relationships with local upholstery shops and other artisans to repurpose leather scraps into unique handbags.

Each season, Alice gains inspiration for the handbag collections directly from the raw materials she is able to obtain and reuse.  More specifically, this season’s dynamic collection of suede clutches was inspired by geometry, proportions, and bold leather combinations that transcend the darker and heavier appearance of traditional leather handbags. 

The S/S 2021 Collection of Alice Yardley’s handbags was selected to be viewed on the runway at New York Fashion Week this September 2020 with an organization featuring independent designers, Flying Solo, in the “Ones To Watch” show.  Twenty-one of Alice’s handbags from this collection were made during the pandemic and then seen on the NYFW runway in New York City in the first-ever in-person pandemic fashion week. Her collection of handbags was seen in collaboration with several independent clothing designers from all over the world, including NOT by Jenny Lai, Brodie Cashmere, and Oxygen. Her work was seen in three of the four runway shows at NYFW and was paired with both couture and ready-to-wear garments ranging from formal and dramatic gowns to casual loungewear. 

Even after only two years back in Portland, Alice has participated in several Maker’s Markets at Thompsons Point, been featured in the Portland Press Herald and Maine Homes Magazine, and has even organized her own female-owned event with two other local businesses at CellarDoor Winery. While Alice hopes to expand her work in the high fashion industry in New York City, she also hopes to continue to foster relationships with local Portland businesses and artisans who are engaging in the world of fashion and design in Maine. 

View Alice’s renowned collection and gift a loved one (or yourself) one of her designs at www.aliceyardleymaine.com

You can also follow her on Instagram @aliceyardleymaine

LUNAMOTH CREATIONS

LUNAMOTH Creations is a line of handmade jewelry in Maine inspired by the woods, myths, folktales, and ephemera.

The maker and owner, Molly Garson has been making jewelry and playing with art of all mediums since childhood.

Her designs are intentionally curated and crafted using ethically sourced materials, and often incorporates recycled, vintage, or found objects in her adornments.

You can purchase Molly’s whimsical creations or collaborate on a custom order at her Etsy Shop (Lunamoths): www.etsy.com/shop/lunamoths

Stay connected on Instagram @lunamoth_creations

EMETALY DESIGNS

Jonathan Niembro is the founder of Emetaly Designs with an incredible story about how he began to hone his craft in jewelry making:

…I was introduced to the world of jewelry making in 2003 at the age of 15 when I met a group of traveling jewelry makers. The journey started in Xalapa - my hometown - in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. It’s a big state, very green, and with amazing jungles, rivers, beaches, and incredible places to camp out. My new friends showed me simple beginner techniques with which I created my very first pair of earrings. From there I was hooked. I began to travel myself, and met more and more traveling jewelry makers. At some point along the way I realized I was now one of them! Suddenly I was selling my creations all around Mexico, Central America, and into South America.

While I was traveling and creating my jewelry, I became really interested in learning where all the natural stones that I was using came from. I began to take interest in the local mines - direct to the source! My first mine was the amethyst quartz mine located close to Xalapa. That visit changed the way I see everything. Seeing the gems glistening right where they were formed was a huge inspiration for my jewelry-making, and opened my eyes further to the beauty of not only the gems I use, but the natural world we live in.

You can find Jonathan at the South Portland Maine Mall on December 5th to the 7th, the 11th to the 13th, and from the 17th to the 24th. To view and purchase his work, head to his online shop at www.emetalydesignsjewelry.shop You can also follow him on Instagram @emetalydesigns

BEARDED BRIGADE

Bearded Brigade was created in 2019 by Maine-native, Kyle Storer, with the intent to provide men with heathy, natural, handmade beard products. 

In Kyle’s words, “There’s no question that beards take a beating from the Maine weather.” From struggling to keep his own beard from being dry, itchy and “beard-druf” free (if you know, you know), he set out to create products that would not only help his beard but others also trying to grow theirs out healthy—without the maintenance and weather-related hassle that can come with it. Using natural ingredients, Bearded Brigade boasts a collection of oils including: Plain Jane, Old Fashioned Donut, Nor’Easter, Rustic Cedar, and Sweet Citrus.

Whether you have a beard or a loved one with one, Bearded Brigade products are made to help:

• Help tame your beard

• Promote healthy growth

• Keep your beard and skin hydrated

• Prevent itchiness & dryness

• Gives a silky smooth feel & natural shine

Contact Kyle at Beardedbrigadellc@gmail.com, on Instagram @BeardedBrigade, and place an order at www.BeardedBrigade.com 

NAUTICAL FARMS

At Nautical Farms we hope to radically change the way you think about seaweed + your relationship to the planet. We harvest by hand, utilize the sun to dry, and hand craft products that are all-natural, compostable, + biodegradable. We get asked a lot why seaweed is at the center of our business. It’s a loaded question, but only because the benefits and uses of seaweed are immense.

From food, to fertilizer, cosmetics, and biofuel- seaweed is what we like to call a super crop. Most edible and useful seaweeds are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants- significantly more than the veggies we are consume every day- making them an incredible additive to food for both humans and animals as well as an amazing cosmetic ingredient. And on top of that, they show antiviral, antiprotozoal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.

This holiday, give the gift of self care to yourself or a loved one through a soothing Bath Soak—a curated blend of epsom salt, seaweed, and herbs that rejuvenate + revitalize your mind + body. Diffuse your blend of choice: Energy, Sleep, and Reset Soaks. Can’t decide?

We offer a bundle of all three.

When it comes to our Whole Leaf Sugar Kelp, it doesn’t get much cleaner or greener. Utilizing zero fresh water, fertilizer, or dry land, we bring you ocean farmed sugar kelp that you can snack on right out of the package, crumble into soups, salads or salsas, or use as a pasta replacement for a salty savory flavor boost. Or grab a pinch of Sugar Kelp Flakes and sprinkle on anything for that savory + salty umami flavor. Packed with a healthy dose of vitamins A, B, C, E, K, potassium, iodine, magnesium, + sodium, your order of kelp will not only help you achieve a nutritious diet but it also helps clean our oceans + sequester carbon. By harnessing the power of the ocean through regenerative farming methods, we handcraft some of earth's most sustainable + healthy products, then deliver them to your door with carbon neutral shipping.

Visit www.nauticalfarms.com and use Discount Code 2020GIFTS for 15% off your purchase! Stay connected on Instagram @nauticalfarms

PINE TREE PAPERIE

Pine Tree Paperie is a local, woman-owned small business in Maine that creates hand-made stationery, gifting supplies, and messages that give a good feeling. At the forefront of its mission is the belief that we all have the ability to make a profound impact on others through good energy and intention. Specializing in hand-crafted note cards, greeting cards, custom designs & hand-lettering, gift tags, journals, and paper accessories, PTP helps its clients deliver a sentiment to their loved ones as lovely on the outside as their message on the inside.

Craft-enthusiast and owner, Abby, has a passion for paper patterns and talking about big feelings. With a background in human development and organizational studies, she infuses her passion for positive energy and applied psychology into her craft. Strength in community is built through giving and sharing - together. Pine Tree Paperie is helping spread holiday cheer with card and gifting sets and is thrilled to be collaborating with other small businesses in New England to help give a good feeling this holiday season.

You can place a holiday order at www.pinetreepaperie.com plus follow Abby’s crafts on Instagram @pinetreepaperie

HEALTH & WELLNESS

KELLY RICH

Kelly Rich is an international Intuitive, Psychic, Medium, Medicine Woman and the host of the OWN YOUR INTUITION podcast.

She is the creator of Bug Light Yoga and is an avid herbalist and event facilitator. You can work with Kelly in a 1:1 session or join a transformational online event, retreat or training.

Learn more about Kelly’s offerings at KellyRichIntuitive.com

You can also connect with her on Instagram: @KellyRichIntuitive

Reflections on Kelly’s Podcast, OWN YOUR INTUITION:

“A Gem for Self-Healing & Empowerment”

Each of Kelly’s episodes are unique invitations to reflect, awaken, self-heal, as well as navigate your life path—with boldness, authenticity, and grace. Her wisdom and messages have this way of being the exact gentle nudge and affirmations you knew (or never knew) you needed to own (what she calls) your “YOU-ness,” your callings, and yes, your intuition. By tuning into this podcast, you are actually lead to tune into yourself, a weekly meditative experience I highly recommend!

—Listener Review on Apple Podcast

THERIN POHLEY

HOLISTIC BEAUTY

Therin Pohley owns a small holistically minded facial and skin care studio in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. She is a licensed esthetician as well as a registered yoga teacher and holistic nutrition coach. 

Her combination of holistically-minded skin care treatments and staying current with advanced beauty technologies allows her to provide clients with a modern alchemy that brings forth their most beautiful and balanced complexion with lasting results.

Her facials are intentionally facilitated to allow the client’s nervous system to relax into a rest-and-digest state. She also specializes in Gua Sha Facials to activate lymphatic flow, and lift, tone and hydrate the skin. In her treatments, Therin incorporates Laurel Whole Plant Organics—as it is plant medicine in its purest most alive state—the best skincare line she’s found in her 17 years immersed in the industry.

In addition to skincare, Therin offers a full range of customized Lash & Brow treatments to meet her client’s needs. Her time working with Anastasia Beverly Hills (where Beyonce gets her brows done), has given her the experience, unique talent, and passion for eyebrow maintenance that has helped her to stand out as a highly sought-after practitioner in Maine’s beauty care industry.

To connect with Therin, visit www.facialsandlashes.com and follow her on Instagram @themaineskintherapist

EMILY DZIEDZIC

FOUNDER OF MIND BODY GRIEF

Emily is a compassionate empath who has taken her experiences in loss
and life challenges and turned them into a passion for helping others.
She is a Grief Coach who works with women who are ready to break through the fog of grief so they can get back to living.

Her approach to grief coaching is focused on helping women achieve their goals in their life after loss. Significant loss can include, but is not limited to: death of a loved one, medical diagnosis for you or a loved one, pregnancy loss/Infertility, loss of safety after trauma, as well as a divorce or relationship breakup. These kinds of losses impact the mind and the body both immediately after the event and in the inevitable grief that follows. With grief coaching, you’ll have a safe space to release negative emotions, a compassionate guide for your process, and you’ll learn tools and resources to help navigate the journey.

Emily is a Certified Master Practitioner as well as a Master Coach of
Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Time Line Therapy ®, and Hypnotherapy. She is also a trainer of these modalities and will be offering courses to certify coaches in 2021.

When she’s not working on her passion projects, Emily is an avid
traveler, a Thai food lover, a dedicated platelet donor, a pilot, and a
nature enthusiast.

To learn more about Emily’s offerings and connect with her, visit www.mindbodygrief.com and follow her Instagram @mindbodygrief

Jennifer Minieri, RD

Jennifer Minieri (MS, RD, LD) is a Mainer through and through, from growing up in rural Pownal to now owning her own private practice in Portland.  Her inspiration for choosing a career in nutrition is a personal one.  She had a strong desire to pursue a medical degree after her mother almost passed away from a severe stroke.  After studying chronic disease and its treatment, Jennifer switched the focus of her career to disease prevention.  She wanted her life’s work to be targeted toward helping individuals and families prevent disease, rather than treating it once it had already occurred.

Jennifer is a Registered Dietitian with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Maine.  She completed her Dietetic Internship through the University of Maine and Maine Medical Center.  Jennifer has worked in a variety of settings including acute care, outpatient clinics, and now private practice.  She has experience working with both adult and pediatric populations, specializing in several areas including bariatric surgery, weight management, nutritional psychiatry, and fertility nutrition.

Jennifer is passionate about helping people prevent and manage chronic disease through food and nutrition.  While medications and modern medicine often offer a bandaid for certain health conditions, Jennifer takes a holistic approach to care and searches for underlying root causes. She understands that there is no one plan that will work for everyone, but will work with you to develop a healthy eating plan that will accommodate your needs and lifestyle.  She works with people to understand their relationship with food and work through ingrained thoughts and feelings around food that can make change hard. 

Jennifer uses a patient driven approach to care, using techniques such as motivational interviewing to help guide patients to making lasting behavior change and move toward wellness.

To schedule a consultation with Jen, head to  www.nimrd.com

Be sure to check out her Instagram @jenminieri_rd for more evidence-based nutrition tips!

ALEXIS JONES, RD

Alexis is a Registered Dietitian specializing in sports performance nutrition, chronic disease prevention and treatment, and weight management. She works closely with clients in both individual and group settings to help them integrate healthy behaviors into their daily life to achieve their health and wellness goals. She believes that nutrition is not a one size fits all approach and she is passionate about working with clients to develop an individualized plan that is practical and sustainable. 

Alexis’s passion for nutrition came from her personal experience playing division 1 softball and struggling to find the right balance of nutrition to improve gut health, increase energy levels, and fuel workouts to feel her best. She is eager to help others find balance with food and feel empowered making their own food choices!

To schedule a consultation with Alexis head to www.nimrd.com. Appointments are covered by most major insurance companies! 

Alexis’ Instagram is filled with awesome nutrition tips and (I especially admire) her recipe-inspo! Check it out for yourself @alexisjonesnutrition

IRON LEGION

STRENGTH CO.

Iron Legion Strength Co. is a company with a unique approach to strength, health and physical fitness. With the goal of empowerment through strength, Iron Legion Strength Co. provides personal strength training in a private, safe and welcoming environment. From the beginner to the advanced exerciser, through the use of barbell-based training, Iron Legion helps ordinary people to get stronger and to discover the many benefits; mental, emotional and spiritual, to physical strength. As a coaching gym where everyone is working directly with a coach, Iron Legion virtually eliminates the crowds, confusion and intimidation factor often found in the traditional membership gym environment. Founded in 2015 in the Dana Warp Mill building right here in Westbrook, ME, Iron Legion currently employs 10 full-time personal coaches and helps over 250 clients who affectionately call "The Legion" their home.

To learn more about Iron Legion and to see if it is the right fit for you, you can schedule a complimentary consultation and training session with a coach on their website www.ironlegionstrengthco.com

Connect on Instagram @ironlegionstrengthco

LOVE & MUSCLES

Love and Muscles is a private personal training studio located on Route 1 in Falmouth. It is owned by soon to be husband and wife team, Katlin Norton and Eric Hilton. 

Katlin has been an NASM personal trainer for just over 3 years now. Before she became a trainer, she was a social worker. She found that there was a correlation between mental health and physical health, so she started studying. Katlin wanted to help people through their mental health challenges with physical exercise. Once certified she started her career at a commercial gym but has since grown tremendously and has started her own personal training business called Fitness Katlin.  

Eric is a 12 year special forces army medic veteran who was deployed twice to Iraq. Eric got his personal trainer certification during his last years in the military and has been a personal trainer since 2005. Eric owned a membership gym in downtown Portland called Optimal Self. He closed the gym down in December 2018 as he was looking to continue his mission but on a much smaller scale. By doing this, Eric was able to pursue another passion of his, which is life coaching/spiritual consulting. So now, Eric, can go even deeper with clients and expand the whole self.

Both Katlin and Eric have a passion for helping others reach their “optimal self” so they decided to come together to open up Love and Muscles in January 2020. Love and Muscles in a non-membership gym, that is strictly meant for one on one, or small group personal training appointments. Katlin and Eric are also  vegan and can offer guidance for anyone looking to go plant based.

In September 2020, Katlin and Eric were given the opportunity to expand the gym. They were able to create more gym space, have a private office for spiritual consultations, and bring on Alexis Jones, of Nutrition in Motion, as a dietitian. Katlin and Eric have found that pairing training and nutrition together, their clients have seen a dramatic difference in body composition, weight loss, muscle gain, and self confidence. At Love and Muscles it is Katlin and Eric's mission to help clients not only reach but surpass their goals. Katlin and Eric are committed to helping clients make the lifestyle changes they want for their physical bodies, minds,  and spiritual self. Love and Muscles is more than just a gym, it is a community of like minded individuals, looking to build a better world for all, but starting first, with themselves. Our bodies are our temples, we must treat them with care, kindness, and love. 

To collaborate with Katlin & Eric, call (207) 653-5911, email loveandmusclesmaine@gmail.com, or connect on Instagram @loveandmusclesmaine

RESTAURANTS

Out of all the industries impacted by this pandemic, Maine’s food and hospitality industry have been hit the hardest. If you’ve been a patient of ours, especially Dr. Travis’, you know he loves his food—and will go on if you get him started on a conversation about a local spot! In honor of these restaurants for staying strong and adapting to still provide their communities with reliable and delicious fare, here’s a short-list of our favorite places to support. Whether you rather dine-in, take-out, or do curbside-to go, let’s show up for these fantastic restaurants, the people behind, plus the employees + families they support:

1. JUDY GIBSON - South Portland

2. EL RAYO TAQUERIA - Scarborough

3. THE GOOD TABLE - Cape Elizabeth

4. MAINLEY NOODS - Portland

5. STREET & CO - Portland

6. N TO TAIL - Portland

7. EAUX - Portland

8. HOT SUPPA - Portland

9. UNION KITCHEN - Portland

10. TUSCAN TABLE - Freeport

11. ROYAL RIVER GRILL HOUSE - Yarmouth

12. THE GARRISON - Yarmouth

13. BOBA - Lewiston

14. MOTHER INDIA - Lewiston

15. FISH BONES - Lewiston

A special thanks to all of the small businesses who contributed to this blog and all of you for reading.

Wishing everyone the resilience and support needed to navigate the rest of 2020 and beyond with grace and in good health.

With gratitude,

Drs. Lauren & Travis Dyer

SOURCES

Maine Small Business Development Center: COVID's Impact On Maine's Small Businesses - Maine SBDC. 2020

Forbes. David Harber: 43 Reasons You Should Support Small And Independent Businesses. 2016.

United States SBA: Maine 2019 Small Business Profile. 2019