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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

I moved to the State of Maine back in 2013 leaving my home country of South Korea. Since my move to the USA, I always missed my mom and aunt’s kimchi and, unfortunately, all kimchi products in the US market never really satisfied me. One day my mom was telling me how flavors are really… Read more »

My husband and I met working on a very busy restaurant line together. We both fell in love with cooking & hospitality at a young age and have developed those skills over many years in the business. He has pursued a career as a chef in some of Portland’s best restaurants and currently heads up… Read more »

Maine produces less than 2% of US sea scallops, and our small dayboats fish so differently from the much larger offshore fleet they’re essentially producing a different product. We meet Maine’s dayboat fishermen at the dock, quickly packing or freezing their scallops and shipping them off to customers across the country so people can finally… Read more »

Welcome to Thirty Acre Farm, a certified organic farm located on the picturesque Midcoast of Maine. Since 2005, we have been dedicated to producing high-quality fermented foods and sauces that celebrate the richness of our land. Our mission is simple: to grow and preserve nutrient-rich foods that support gut health, bring joy to your table,… Read more »

Born in Cape Town and raised in Durban, South Africa, I embody a multicultural heritage shaped by my East Indian father and mixed South African mother. South Africa, with its diverse blend of indigenous African, Dutch, British, Indian, and Malay influences, has cultivated a rich culinary experience. Having grown up in a multicultural home, I… Read more »

Adaptability and a strong work ethic are important for Maine living. Bootleg Captain, Tammy Snider, has a bounty of both. Raised in a rugged coastal Maine fishing and seasonal work community, I learned as a very small child to rake blueberries in the summer, make Christmas wreaths in the winter and go worming, clamming and… Read more »