PHOTO: From left, SBA New England Regional Advocate Keegan Shepardson, SBA Regional Administrator Wendell Davis, Nat Peirce and Aaron Anker, owners of GrandyOats, SBA Maine District Director Amy Bassett, and SBA Maine Deputy Director Diane Sturgeon at GrandyOats in Hiram. (Submitted photo)
AUGUSTA – Business owners in Hiram, Pownal,and Lewiston were among those who received U.S. Small Business Administration 2020 Maine award winner.
Nat Peirce and Aaron Anker, owners of Bountiful Berry, which does business as GrandyOats, in Hiram were named 2020 Small Business Persons of the Year Award for Maine.
“Owning and running a business in Maine is incredibly rewarding, we have so many local supporters that have cheered us on as we have grown over the years.” said Peirce and Anker. “One of the biggest supporters has been our local bank, Bangor Savings and the local SBA team.”
Sarah Lapine, owner of Watershed Floral, in Pownal, won the 2020 Home Based Small Business of the Year Award for Maine and New England.
With many events cancelled in 2020, Lapine has focused the year on building the farm’s capacity, and planning for an anticipated rise in future events.
Glen E. Holmes, president of Community Concepts Finance Corporation in Lewiston and South Paris was named 2020 Financial Services Champion of the Year Award for Maine.
CCFC is an SBA microlender in addition to hosting several business advising services. As part of his role with CCFC, Holmes plays an integral part in ensuring the implementation of various programs across Oxford County and beyond, increasing economic diversity and participates in numerous regional boards, according to the SBA. He was recently named director of business and community development in Auburn.
Other winners were Maddie Purcell, owner of Fyood Kitchen, in Portland, Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Karen Gellis, owner of SwimLids LLC in Saco, Woman Owned Small Business of the Year Award; Jodi Breau, owner of Dental Lace LLC, in Pittsfield, Small Business Exporter of the Year Award; Heather Lux, owner of True North Beauty, in Milo, Business Manufacturer of the Year Award.
