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From my website bio: Thank you for visiting my website, and inquiring a bit more about who I am! My name is Hannah and I am a ceramic artist based out of Scarborough, ME. My main focus as a potter is to create functional dishware and home decor with a modern-minimalist aesthetic.
I took my one and only pottery class in 2016, and I fell in love with clay almost immediately. After 4 years of learning, practicing, interning, and selling my art at markets, I wished to make my full time ‘hobby’ into a full time business.
I pivoted to online sales during the pandemic, and with the nature of operating a website, I looked to redefine my ‘style’ and design a product line. I’m inspired by minimalist functional wares, and focus on creating very precise lines, consistency, weight, shadow, and timeless color palettes. My goal as an artist is to create ceramics that will be loved and used daily, while simultaneously being as environmentally conscious as possible while creating high quality products that will last.
Please contact me at ceramicaco.portland@gmail.com for questions about where to purchase my work in person, or wholesale inquiry.
-xo Hannah
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As a longtime high school business teacher and current small business advisor, I’ve spent my career helping others chase their dreams, build meaningful careers, and discover the confidence that comes from learning real-world skills. But at some point, I realized I wanted to do more than just teach entrepreneurship—I wanted to live it, and most importantly, to do it for my own kids.
The Sweet Life Kettle Corn Company is my way of building something lasting—not just a business, but a legacy of opportunity. I started this company to show my children what’s possible when you combine passion with purpose. I want them to see that hard work, creativity, and a commitment to community can lead to something truly sweet.
More than that, I wanted to create a space where all kids—not just my own—can grow. Sweet Life provides flexible jobs for local teens, especially those balancing academics, sports, and extracurriculars, giving them the chance to develop work ethic, confidence, and business skills they can carry for life.
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I’m Jordene Trueh, founder of Backriver Blends, based in Topsham, Maine. My journey into food entrepreneurship was inspired by my Jamaican heritage and a personal mission to create safe, flavorful meals for my family—especially after my daughter developed severe food allergies.
With nearly 30 years of experience in both the nonprofit and business sectors, I bring a strong background in leadership, operations, and community engagement. While I don’t have formal culinary training, I’ve been mentored by experienced food entrepreneurs and supported by local programs like the CEI Women’s Business Center and Dirigo Labs. These experiences have helped me build a business grounded in authenticity, inclusion, and sustainability.
Living and working in Maine has connected me to a community that values quality, innovation, and local roots—and that’s exactly what I aim to reflect through Backriver Blends.
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I have always been a maker, sometimes because there wasn’t enough money to buy everything, and other times it’s for enjoyment and creativity. After losing my medical job in 2021, I decided that sharing our knowledge of sensitive skincare would be my next mission and way of helping others. Our small family business was born from the need to find a way to help improve the skin health of our two youngest children. They both navigate life with many food allergies, asthma, and severe eczema. We had spent years trying all the hypoallergenic over-the-counter moisturizers with little to no improvement. They simply didn’t work for us. With a combined 20-year background in healthcare and cosmetology, this Mama got to work!
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Grounded Confections is dedicated to providing chocolate that is not only beautifully hand-crafted, but also compassionate of the world we live in. By partnering with like-minded suppliers and prioritizing sustainable practices, we strive to create a delicious chocolate bar without compromising our impact on the environment. We focus on partnering with suppliers who share the same values such as preserving the habitat of the orangutans and are conscientious of the communities our ingredients are grown in. Grounded Confections is committed to this vision for a better world. Our name reflects our focus on creating chocolate that is not only delicious but also grounded in mindfulness and compassion.
At the heart of our business lies our pride of being a woman-owned and operated small business, crafting artisanal, high-quality chocolate with care and precision. Each bar we produce is a testament to the passion and dedication of the women who pour their hearts into every step of the process. This love and creative energy is imbued in every bar.
By choosing to support small businesses like Grounded Confections, you are supporting a network that uplifts other small businesses. We collaborate with other small businesses and entrepreneurs as much as possible, fostering a community where everyone can thrive. Your support helps us to invest in these partnerships, creating a ripple effect of positive impact. We thank you for your support and invite you to enjoy one of the many chocolate bars we offer.
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I make handcrafted, small tabletop baskets and hanging baskets. Each basket is crocheted using macramé cord, which is made in the US and finished with leather handles and leather tags with various designs. By using macramé cord, these baskets have a firm, but flexible design. All of the leather is hand-selected from a local leather shop in Lewiston, Maine and cut to size for each baskets handles and tag. The basket designs are inspired by all of the beauty that Maine has to offer, from the Maine woods to the beautiful Maine coast. The Woodlands Collection includes earth tones and a Northern Maine feel, whereas the Coastal Collection includes a combination of beach and nautical vibes. I also make seasonal/holiday, custom and one-off designs, as I am often inspired to try something new!
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My designs are drawn from visual memories of my experiences growing up on an old farm in rural Maine combined with my life long interest in architecture and craft and contemporary design. My craft resume includes work in architectural design, house carpentry, historic preservation architectural millwork, cabinet work and furniture making.
The shop is not a manufactory. I build the furniture one piece at a time so I have the flexibility to add custom pieces to my schedule and I welcome those opportunities. I’m doing work that I enjoy and I hope that my furniture will bring enjoyment to you as well.
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I have always enjoyed animals, nature, and wildlife, taking every opportunity I could to spend time outdoors. My “first career” was as a veterinarian and wildlife rehabiltator, spending my days indoors with the animals I loved. With time, however, the pull towards the outdoors increased. Having 2 brothers that were professional photographers, the bridge into wildlife photography was easy. I originally started with an old film camera, eventually worked my way up to a digital camera, and was ultimately convinced by a friend that it was time to step up and purchase a professional quality camera body. From that point forward, I’ve never looked back — spending every spare moment capturing the fascination I see in the wild world. Again, a well meaning friend indicated I should really start to sell my images — and although I was originally reluctant, I started to make my photos available, and very quickly was chosen for a magazine cover image. From there, I haven’t turned back – and am looking to both further my photography skills and my business!
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Made in Maine from 85% repurposed materials with our very own hands.
We search the state for antique coffee pots, tea pots, tins, canisters, kerosene lanterns and even camping cook kits to make each feeder its very own. Perfect for any style home, camps and cottages. There is only ONE of each feeder on our site, so if you like it, buy it – because it may not be there tomorrow!
The feeders are designed for black oil sunflower seeds. The tea and coffee pots have a hole in the spout and is sealed in the inside to keep water from entering the feeder. The tray, often made out of a pie pan or pot lid have holes in them so that water does not collect.
Two things you need to remember about the feeders, squirrels can get on them and they do not hold up to bears. We have had both at the camp and a bear completely destroyed a feeder and it could not be repaired. The feeders do, at least in Maine, attract Cardinals, Nuthatches, Blue Jays, Chickadees ( Maine’s state bird), Goldfinch, Titmouse Birds and Rose Breasted Grosbeaks among others.
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Jessie Muhlin (Founder/Chief Operating Officer of Buba OG) is a Professor of Marine Biology at Maine Maritime Academy who specializes in seaweeds. She loves nothing more than making and sharing baked goods for students, friends, and family. In 2024, Jessie took the plunge in not just thinking about Buba OG as a dream, but putting the pieces in place to make it happen. She has really enjoyed connecting with so many different communities in Maine on her journey into the business realm and looks forward to continuing to learn and explore through her company.
