A group of entrepreneurs (Molly Friedland - Little Red Flower Truck, Susan Nordman- Bliss, Jon Stein- Fogtown Brewing Company, Maggie Iannuzzi- Precipice Coffee, Hugh Palcic- Zeppas Pizza, Eric Treworgy- SBDC / Pugnuts Ice Cream, Kerry Strickland- Steamy Buddha Cafe & Yoga) gathered on Tuesday, February 7th, in the office of Heart of Ellsworth to discuss their experiences as business owners in the City of Ellsworth. This meeting was one of a series of focus group meetings that fall within a collaborative project focused on better understanding and supporting Ellsworth’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.

**From Left to right**: Susan Nordman- Bliss, Jon Stein- Fogtown Brewing Company, Cara Romano - Heart of Ellsworth, Kerry Strickland- Steamy Buddha Cafe & Yoga, Eric Treworgy- SBDC / Pugnuts Ice Cream, Maggie Iannuzzi- Precipice Coffee, Hugh Palcic- Zeppas Pizza
**Not Pictured but on Zoom:** Shannon Byers- Machias Savings Bank, Katelin Burpee, and Brad Smith- Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce, Matt Wagner- Main Street America - Sylvie Piquet- Maine Downtown Center
**Photo credit:** Molly Friedland - Little Red Flowered Truck

Heart of Ellsworth is partnering with Maine Downtown Center and Main Street America throughout the course of this project, with Matt Wagner, of Main Street America facilitating the focus group meetings. The following entities were on the call as well to support and participate in the conversation (Shannon Byers- Machias Savings Bank, Katelin Burpee, and Brad Smith- Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce, Matt Wagner- Main Street America - Facilitated the meeting, Sylvie Piquet- Maine Downtown Center - lead the meeting Cara Romano - Heart of Ellsworth)

On Tuesday, Matt brought questions and concepts to the group and the participants in attendance spoke on their experiences with; liveability and place when choosing where to run their business, access to capital pre-during and post-pandemic, challenges their business currently faces, and those they foresee dealing with, tactical problem solving and other pressing issues. We had a stimulating conversation and looked forward to the next focus group, which will take place on Wednesday, the 15th, with local and regional service providers and stakeholders.

The Maine Downtown Center, Main Street America, and Heart of Ellsworth are surveying entrepreneurs and small business owners. They are looking for feedback to strengthen local support systems that offer resources and assistance to new and existing small businesses. Follow this link to take the survey. Survey closes 2/12

Entrepreneur Ecosystem

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