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Abe Furth, Cony graduate, inspirational entrepreneur
By Maria Gregor
AUGUSTA — This year, on Saturday, May 13, at the University of Maine’s graduation ceremony, entrepreneurs Abe and Heather Furth will deliver the 2017 Commencement address. While both are alumni of UMaine, a lesser known fact is that Abe’s alma mater is Augusta’s own Cony High School.
Abe Furth graduated from Cony High School in 1999. While at Cony, he ran cross country and track under the mentorship of Coach Tom Wells. As he rose through the ranks at school, his G.P.A. improved. He attributes much of his success to the influence of his coach, who was “all he wanted to be as a person.”
Furth left high school a semester early in December 1998 to participate in the Audubon Expedition Institute and earn college credit. He then took a gap year before attending college and travelled across the country by bicycle with another Cony graduate, Rhavi Barnum. They pedaled from north of Seattle, Washington to Lubec, Maine to promote awareness for domestic violence. He raised approximately $3,000. This experience created a desire to help other causes as well.
Furth attended the University of Maine at Orono, but never lived on campus. He began as a business major, but once he realized that he was being taught to be a good employee rather than an entrepreneur, he switched to English with a focus on creative writing. He felt that this major would help him to communicate, an important quality for a businessman.
He always knew he wanted to own his own business, but needed to make a start. After graduation, Abe married his girlfriend, Heather whom he had met his freshman year at UMaine.
In 2005, the Furths and fellow Orono alumnus, Mark Horton opened Woodman’s Bar & Grill when they were only 23 years old. Two thousand and eight was another prosperous year, as they purchased and opened the first location of Verve, a burrito restaurant in Orono, and opened a second location in Bangor in 2012. In 2014, the couple bought another commercial building and founded Orono Brewing Company. Most recently, in 2016, the Furths opened a second location of their brewery in Bangor.
Furth is driven to positively influence the areas in which he lives, most recently purchasing and then developing properties in Bangor with his wife.
“We really enjoy transforming places; we love to do that and want to do more,” he reported.
Downtown locations seem to capture the focus of the couple, who are dedicated to the creation of businesses in Maine. “We’re always excited to create change in our community,” explained Furth.
When it comes to advice for young, aspiring entrepreneurs, Furth has plenty of it. He urges students to “find their own version of success” and “find a solid network to rely on.”
The biggest steps toward achieving one’s goal are “getting rid of fear and self doubt, doing things that make you uncomfortable, finding a path of your own!”
When asked what characteristics make a person successful, Furth did not hesitate. “A person has to be hardworking, brave, competitive, and must have integrity.”
The Furths exemplify the importance of determination in making independent decisions. People who are willing to take on leadership roles in their communities are rare, and they must stand to set an example for young people who aspire to reach their goals.
According to Furth, the most important thing one must overcome in business is the very first endeavor.
“Overcome that hurdle, and you can take on the world.”
The Furths are ready to share this message at the 2017 UMO commencement.
