CEI Women’s Business Centers

Supporting Female Entrepreneurs Across Maine

The CEI Women’s Business Center is a home for women who want to start or grow their own business in Maine.

We work to understand the challenges that disproportionately affect female entrepreneurs and provide resources to help address those challenges.

Our team will help you build and hone your business skills and confidence from developing your business idea, to accessing capital, making strong management decisions based on a deep understanding of your financials, and more.

We offer courses, cohorts, workshops, and events which encourage peer-to-peer learning and community building, as well as 1:1 business advising support.

No-cost interpretation services are available upon request.

Workshops & Events

Online workshops with actionable information on business topics and in-person events to help you connect with fellow small business owners.

Courses & Peer Learning

Multi-session courses/peer groups that focus specific topics like public speaking, starting a new business, scaling your business

One-on-One Advising

Free, confidential business advising on a variety of topics, including: accessing capital, marketing, human resources and financial management

Want to learn more about what we’re offering?

Sign up for the Small Biz Buzz, our bi-weekly newsletter on upcoming trainings and cohorts:

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Interpretation is available upon request.

image of Ashley Smalley Digestive Health & Nutrition

Ashley Smalley Digestive Health & Nutrition

“At Ashley Smalley Digestive Health & Nutrition, Ashley Smalley believes food should empower, not overwhelm. Drawing on her own experience with digestive health,…”

image of Theater of Dice

Theater of Dice

“Theater of Dice is building an inclusive and welcoming community within the world of tabletop role-playing games. Through collaborative storytelling and creative play,…”

image of Red Kettle Foods

Red Kettle Foods

“Ger Tysk went from fermenting kimchi on sailboats to building a thriving business that stocks shelves in grocery stores across New England. What…”

image of The Eveningstar Cinema

The Eveningstar Cinema

“From Phantom Menace to Paddington, Lindie and Sean have done it all – except own a cinema. That changed when they took over…”

image of Maiz

Maiz

“Anyone in the food industry will probably advise you not to open a restaurant. The upfront costs are large, the hours long, the…”

image of SALUD Portland

SALUD Portland

“Dorienne Lewin is a seasoned workout instructor whose workout studio SALUD Portland does it all – Pilates, barre, and trampoline. She trusts her…”

image of Coelle Travel

Coelle Travel

“Coelle Travel is an international travel startup based in Wabanaki/Maine, owned by an indigenous immigrant woman, Khadija El Barkaoui, with roots in Amazigh/Morocco.…”

image of Kingfield Kinder Care

Kingfield Kinder Care

“When Jackie Lobdell’s children were young, she couldn’t find daycare fitting the hours she needed. The nearby child care was closed Fridays and…”

image of New Approaches

New Approaches

“A driven team of talented specialist providing Maine’s leaders with high quality flexible therapy.   For her entire professional life, Hannah Curtis has…”

image of Brodis Blueberries

Brodis Blueberries

“For nine generations, the Brodis family have tended to their lands in Hope, Maine. Over the years, their immense efforts have slowly turned…”

image of Journey Magazine 

Journey Magazine 

“Journey Magazine prides itself on ensuring that individual’s stories of addiction and recovery are shared with the public to inspire action. In March…”