August 4, 2016 (Portland, ME)— The Women’s Business Center at CEI today announced the launch of an Entrepreneur in Residence Program (EIR) designed to connect Maine’s women business owners who have a specific challenge or question with local entrepreneurs that have the industry or area-specific  knowledge needed to identify solutions.

“For me this was an ideal match. My EIR started out the way I am – one person with very little funding but a strong work ethic and lot of passion for their idea. She identified helpful connections for me to make in the community, and shared what her startup timeline was like as well as helpful steps to take along the way.”

–Kerry Hanney, Owner, Night Moves Bread and Pie, located in Portland and Yarmouth

The EIR Program was created to fill a need the Women’s Business Center identified among clients for industry and area-specific guidance. EIRs can function as sounding boards for ideas, share personal experiences and lessons learned, and help other business owners navigate the frustrations, challenges and questions that are specific to an industry or area of expertise.

The connections are made to facilitate very focused one-time meetings, during which a business owner can clearly articulate a specific need, challenge or question that an EIR may be able to assist with.

Approximately twenty entrepreneurs have volunteered to meet with two to four Women’s Business Center clients a year. The EIRs represent a variety of industries, possess a range of experience and share a common interest in giving back to the small business and startup community. EIRs are often recognized for making a significant contribution in their field, working to drive key industry initiatives forward and leading innovative companies in Maine. Susan Corbett, CEO of Machias-based Axiom Technologies and Bill Zolper, owner of b.good in Portland and South Portland have both enthusiastically signed on as EIRs.

Business owners interested in meeting with an EIR should fill out our request form, which can be accessed here. The Women’s Business Center will respond and discuss whether the EIR program is a good fit, then make the match. Information that is shared by the WBC and client with an Entrepreneur in Residence is confidential.

About the Women’s Business Center at CEI
The Women’s Business Center at CEI offers experienced, knowledgeable business specialists who can help you at any stage of your business, from start-up to expansion. We offer free and confidential business advising, workshops and training events, a long-term relationship with a skilled business advisor, opportunities for networking with other business owners, and other resources. These services are offered through two separately grant funded programs, The Women’s Business Center at CEI: Southern Maine, and Rural Maine.