Female-owned business directory created in Maine

4 mins read

FARMINGTON – As 2022 unfolds, the combined benefits of buying local and supporting female entrepreneurs are more critical than ever to supporting Maine’s economy. The Maine Women’s Business List is a new directory that makes it easier for consumers to purchase from woman-owned businesses in the state, as well as for female entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, and invest in each other’s success.

The “List” has grown to include more than 300 businesses since launching in November and comes at an important time, as a variety of global events from COVID-19 to supply chain delays to labor shortages and more are impacting the ability of small businesses and shoppers to purchase the products and services they want and need. The ability to source and purchase locally helps ease those challenges while also keeping profits in-state.

“There’s no better time to resolve to shop locally and support women-owned businesses. That’s a powerful combination to fuel Maine’s overall economy,” says Sarah Guerette, director of The CEI Women’s Business Centers, which initiated the directory. “We know that there is a desire to support woman-owned businesses in Maine – we see it every day. That’s how we realized the need for the Maine Women’s Business List. Our hope is that it becomes easier to find, support and highlight the many businesses owned by Maine’s amazing female entrepreneurs.”

Any Maine-based businesses with 50% or more female-identifying* ownership can register in the directory for free. Patrons can search by category or geography to identify businesses that suit their needs.

Categories of businesses include food, entertainment, hospitality, manufacturing, health and wellness, retail, and more. For example:

January is a traditional month for people to commit to their health and wellness, even more so during a pandemic. The Maine Women’s Business List has a variety of local resources including acupuncture and East Asian therapies from Kari Guillen in Mount Desert Island, nutritional products from Rising Sun Nutrition in Topsham, and movement classes by Nia in Westbrook.
While national headlines cite a shortage of wine and champagne to ring in the new year, the Maine Women’s Business List has several locally owned options to purchase bubbly and other spirits including Able Beverage in Gray, Vessel and Vine in Brunswick, and Milk and Honey in Northeast Harbor.
In the midst of “the great resignation,” you may find yourself short staffed. Extra Set of Hands in Farmington may be able to help. Barbee Business Services in Otis and Ballou & Associates Inc. in Camden are resources to manage bookkeeping and accounting as your business grows.
COVID is hurting the food service industry. The directory offers ways to help. Food Love Laughter is a private chef service that caters across New England for a night in. Visit Engrain in South Berwick for a fast casual eatery, or indulge in a sweet treat from Old Port Candy Co in Portland.

American Express estimates that there are over 40,000 businesses owned by women in Maine making up approximately $3.6 billion in revenue. Join the more than 300 on the list at
https://www.mainewomensbusinesslist.com/.

*The Maine Women’s Business List aligns with the definition of women and female that explicitly includes not only cis women, but also trans women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer and non-binary individuals.

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