Maine District Office

Celebrate Small Business Manufacturers in Maine

For over 40 years, Central Maine has been home to Liberty Graphics, a small screen printing and design company. The founder, Tom Opper, and his partner Beverly Kocenko started the business in a small trailer, making small batches of unique t-shirts for local events. While the focus on local events and causes would continue, the business would become known statewide, start making larger orders, and become the source of iconic and recognizable designs.

One of the key factors in the success of Liberty Graphics was gaining the Common Ground Country Fair as a customer. Mainers from across the state can quickly recognize the stylized shirts, and the event draws tens of thousands of attendees to Unity, making it one of the best ways for a small silk screening company to get their designs out. In addition to this large contract, Liberty Graphics was always looking for ways to break into new markets.

Tom and Beverly established a small outlet store in the town of Liberty in the early 80’s, which quickly expanded to a larger store by the 90’s, and they added a second store in Portland’s Old Port by 2010. As these expansions took place, the business needed to bring in dozens of employees over the years. By the time of the Old Port expansion, Liberty Graphics employed 38 people, keeping production local and continuing to focus on quality and sustainable products.

However, there were challenges coming for every small business as the year 2020 approached. Cancelled events would mean fewer orders, and incredible hardship for a local producer, so the ownership team needed to get creative and figure out a path forward. Brad Swanson from the SBDC started meeting with Tom and Beverly about how to move forward and keep the business strong for years. First, Liberty Graphics received an SBA EIDL and both rounds of PPP loans to cope with the immediate impacts of the pandemic. Second, and most impactful for the business, a new ownership structure was decided upon, Liberty Graphics would become employee-owned.

The transition has worked well for Liberty Graphics, as the employee-owners made more of a focus on online sales, and managed to end 2021 with higher than expected revenues, despite the loss of large clients due to the pandemic. With this success, the business has been able to preserve good jobs in the Midcoast, support local scholarships, and maintaining its commitment to people and the environment.

Boots to Business Virtual Workshop

When: August 24 and 25, 8:30am-4:00pm
Register: HERE, When you get to this link, go to the calendar and select: Online Portsmouth, NS, ME

Offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Department of Defense.

Boots to Business is a two-step training program developed to introduce Veterans and transitioning service members to business ownership. This 2-day workshop helps ensure that every participant has access to a standardized entrepreneurship training track and the small business resources in their local communities.  Any veteran, spouse and/or dependent children over 18 are welcome to participate!

After completing the 2-day Boots to Business session, participants will have the tools and knowledge they need to identify a business opportunity, draft a business plan, connect with local small business resources, and launch their small business.  If you have any questions, please contact Miguel Moralez at 603-225-1601 or email miguel.moralez@sba.gov

Business Basics with the SBA

When: Tuesday, September 13, 11:00am-1:00pm
Register: HERE

Are you thinking about starting a new business or purchasing one but do not have the knowledge or experience? The U.S. Small Business Administration can help you start, grow, expand, and recover your business.

Many people consider business ownership as an alternative to employment. Do you have a great idea to fill a need? Are you a subject matter expert in your field? Have you been working in your industry and are now interested in branching out on your own? Do you need to know more about the ins and outs of operating a business?

“You don’t know what you don’t know, until you know what you didn’t know.” Dr. Maxwell Chikuta

When starting a small business there are a lot of unknowns. Join us for this very informative workshop to start finding out. This two (2) hour workshop will provide an overview of SBA programs and services, and cover the basics of starting a business.

New England Veterans Small Business Symposium

When: Wednesday, September 28, 12:30pm-4:00pm
Register: HERE