The Poppy & Polka Dot Boutique is a retail store in downtown Ellsworth that sells fashionable and functional clothes for Maine women. The atmosphere is inviting, friendly, and fun – much like the owner, Amanda Beals.
Like many successful businesses, Poppy & Polka Dot started as a side venture. Amanda, then a math teacher, wanted to supplement her teacher’s salary and decided to open an in-home clothing boutique. She initially started this boutique as an multi-level marketing business; after rising to the top 2% of the company in the first three months, she couldn’t get inventory quickly enough. She decided to take matters into her own hands and started her own company in 2019.
Amanda is pragmatic, though: she didn’t jump in without a plan. Her first order of business was to conduct a focus group with women who came to her house to try on styles and give her opinions on fit, feel, and what they were looking for. “That was a lot of discovery for me,” Amanda said. She discovered that Maine has a unique demographic of women. “We do have the occasions where we like to dress up and polish ourselves up, but for the most part, we need functional clothing. I need a pair of jeans that I can dress up and down, that will last me, and that will be warm and comfortable.”
Her business was successful from the beginning, and soon enough, she needed to expand. A building located at 61 Main Street in Ellsworth was available to purchase, and she approached the building owners with a proposition: let her rent out the downstairs for a couple of months, and if her business was successful in that location, she would make an offer. . .
Heart of Ellsworth is excited to announce that we will be offering our Downtown Grants Program in Winter 2025! This program connects downtown Ellsworth entrepreneurs, small businesses, innovators, and start ups to funding, resources and opportunities to advance their growth.
This program is a foundational component of Heart of Ellsworth's entrepreneurial ecosystem work. By investing in our Main Street community we are supporting the future of small businesses. Stay tuned for more information -- applications will open in February 2025.
Storm Response and Preparedness in Working Waterfront Communities
Join the University of Maine Sea Grant Program for vital community conversations to enhance our response, preparedness, and resilience in the face of increasing storm events.
Blue Hill/Brooklin/Brooksville/Castine/Penobscot/Sedgwick/Surry (January 29, 2025, 5:30-7:30 PM, Blue Hill Public Library, 5 Parker Point Rd, Blue Hill)
Sullivan/Sorrento/Hancock/Gouldsboro/Winter Harbor (February 11, 2025, 5-7 PM, Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus, 2456 US Hwy. 1, Sullivan, ME 04664))
Three office spaces are available in a prime downtown location: a 10x12 space for $200/month, a 16x16 space for $287/month, and a larger space also available. Rent individually or take all three for an entire floor! Amenities include heat, electricity, off-street parking, shared bathroom, dumpster use, and signage space. One-year lease required; first, last, and deposit due at signing. Not a living space; no pets allowed.
Prime downtown Ellsworth office suite for rent in a newly renovated historic building. Located on the oldest block along the Union River, this 319 sq ft space features refinished hardwood floors, exposed brick, a kitchenette, and private bath. Rent includes sewer, water, internet, and heat. Monthly rent: $1,200. Ideal for small businesses seeking a vibrant location near shops, restaurants, and the Union River Trail. Contact for showing.
FMI: Private Message or Text 207-479-5011
Do you have space in Downtown Ellsworth that is available to rent or is for sale? Please email us and we'll include it here!
Ready to take your food business to the next level? Join Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association for the first session of the 2025 Webinar Series: "Packaged for Success: Mastering Food Labeling, Packaging, and Design" on Wednesday, January 29, at 8:30 AM!
Learn how to navigate food packaging compliance with confidence, from understanding legal labeling requirements to creating clear nutrition and ingredient panels.
SCORE Maine hosts affordable small business workshops -- both online webinars and live, in-person. You can find everything you need to know to start a business or discover tools to help your small business grow.
The CEI Women’s Business Center is a home for women who want to start or grow their own business in Maine. They offer courses, cohorts, workshops, and events which encourage peer-to-peer learning and community building, as well as 1:1 business advising support.
The Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) Tastemakers Initiative, in partnership with FocusMaine, is designed to support, scale and strengthen Maine’s local food economy to be better connected, resilient, and sustainable. The CEI Tastemakers Grant program will provide funds to established food and beverage companies to support a project that will help to meet a targeted growth goal. Food businesses can receive up to $25,000 of one-time grant funds.Applications are due by January 31st at 4:59pm.
Interested in learning more? Check out their website with more information. There will be a Tastemakers Information Webinar on January 22nd at 10:00 am. And to help businesses apply for this program, Heart of Ellsworth put together a PDF which includes a preview of the grant application as well as important information. Please respond directly to this email if you would like additional support applying for this grant.
Greenlight Maine is back for its 10th season, and they’re looking for innovative entrepreneurs with big ideas and scalable potential for a $25,000 cash prize.
Since its launch, Greenlight Maine has supported over 200 companies and awarded more than $1M in cash prizes to help Maine businesses thrive. Their motto is simple: "Start here. Scale here. Stay here."
If you have a product or service with the potential to scale and become a regional brand, submit an online application to Greenlight Maine with your intent to participate by late January. Top candidates will be selected to compete on the show, which tapes live in early March.
The Guild Fine Craft Shows celebrate over 40 years of promoting fine craftsmanship, known for their focus on quality, originality, and creative expression. These shows highlight the dedication, talent, and expertise of skilled craftspeople from Maine and the Northeast, offering a premier venue to showcase their work.
Shop Maine Craft invites applications from artists across Maine and the Northeast for the 48th Annual Guild Fine Craft Show: Mount Desert Island, taking place on August 1-3, 2025.
The annual Guild Fine Craft Show: MDI is a longtime tradition on the island, with 2025 being the 3rd year at College of the Atlantic (COA). COA is a coastal liberal arts college just steps away from the bustling downtown of Bar Harbor, and Acadia National Park. The venue offers ample parking and great views. The show takes place both indoors and outdoors on the college campus.
Prospective applicants should follow the link below to read the full application details, guidelines and how to apply.
Thank you for reading this edition of the Ellsworth Business Pulse!
Check out our Business Benefits page for more information on how we can support your business!
