MCED Connect

Issue: #43   

July 2014 

5 Minutes with Tyler Frank
President of Garbage to Garden
 

How did Garbage to Garden come to be? What was the spark that ignited your company?

 

Before Garbage to Garden, I was living in a small apartment on the East End in Portland with no space to compost. One day a roommate commented to me that she wished composting could be as easy as placing a bin at the curb, like recycling. It was almost a passing comment, but moments after she planted the seed I realized that a large percentage of people would really value such an eco-friendly convenience, and began to plan how the service could work. Six weeks later, I launched Garbage to Garden. 

 

How important have good employees been to your success? How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?

 

Garbage to Garden is a fairly labor intensive business, and like any new venture, rife with challenges to be overcome. To succeed one needs a positive culture and a strong sense of purpose. I feel that we have been lucky to attract people into the organization who want to work doing something they believe in and who can truly stand behind our mission. It has translated into consistent pride in our work and track record. I think everyone at Garbage to Garden knows that they are in control of the organizations destiny and feel an ownership of that, and that has been the single most crucial factor to our success. 

 

What popular entrepreneurial advice do you disagree with? If you could offer a first-time entrepreneur only one piece of advice, what would it be?

 

Entrepreneurs are often told to seek advice from experts, and while it is definitely required to consult business mentors and others with experience, entrepreneurs should not make the mistake of doubting their instincts either. I believe that a good entrepreneur must have the humility to recognize weaknesses and ask for help, and equally possess the confidence to go it alone in the face of over-caution or pessimism from others. Most people won't believe in your idea until you have already made it reality -- if you know in your heart what you need to do, do it. 

 

You now service 6 Cities and have requests from 14 others in Maine.  How are you managing your growth?

 

The greatest challenge for me has been morphing from a start-up "do-everything" entrepreneur to the manager of an organization with 12 staff, and growing! The set of skills required to be good at the latter is entirely different, and it can be hard to let go of the reigns enough to give others a chance to take over. Also, if you are used to working closely with a small team for long hours, its easy to get comfortable with those people and be friendly enough to forget that you are the manager. For Garbage to Garden to grow as much as it has, and continue to grow, I have had to get comfortable with being direct with everyone in all situations, especially when its unpleasant or something needs improvement. 

 

Congratulations on your recent Successful Green Business Award and your pick as one of the 12  businesses recognized in August at a national SCORE event in Washington, D.C.. What do you see next for Garbage to Garden?

 

The future is bright for Garbage to Garden. I believe we will open a branch in another geographical area within the next year, work more directly with towns and cities, and partner with more organic waste processors as we increase our diversion rate from 2000 tons/yr to 5000 tons/yr over the next 12 months. There is a huge need for organic waste diversion, as it comprises 40% of what we throw away. Garbage to Garden has pioneered some very good strategies to educate communities and divert organic waste, and we are excited to continue to grow and fill that need. I am grateful to SCORE for the generous support we have received, and I am thrilled to get away for a few days in August! 

 

Happenings

Maine Startup and Create Week was a huge success! With over 3000 attendees at over 40 events, entrepreneurs find learning, networking and ENERGY at Maine's first Startup and Create Week 

Special Congratulations to MiFIlter and BizzieMe, winners of the first Maine Tech Cocktail event!
Both Companies have been offered the opportunity to travel to Las Vagas for Tech Cocktails year end event with the chance to compete for $25,000.00.

Top Gun graduate, Mingle Analytics has a lot going on!

With � of the recruitment season still stretching out before them, they have already exceeded last year's provider enrollments.

Mingle has also added their 10th employee.

They were awarded an MTI Seed Grant on June 17th and they 

won a SCORE Success Award at SCORE's 50th Anniversary Luncheon in Portland on June 19th.

On June 26-28, Introspective Systems was at the American Institute of Architects National convention LAUNCHing their first product. Simplexity Launch LT. It helps Architects manage information.
  • Architectural programming for DESIGN: Simplexity Launch helps teams uncover and prioritize the underlying goals of the project, and create a road map for the design work to follow.
  • Information management for the PRACTICE: Simplexity Launch seamlessly collects, resolves, analyzes, and synthesizes all formats of information to gaina 360-degree view of each project.
  • Communication and collaboration for the PROJECT: Simplexity Launch enables all stakeholders to share a common platform for communication, decision-making, and idea exchange to clarify expectations and build deeper relationships.
Cerahelix CEO Susan MacKay presented at the TechXChange forum- The Launchpad For Innovation- on Day 1 of the Singapore International Water Week 2014. TechXChange is a one day forum to connect innovators with international partners and investors. Cerahelix was chosen to be one of 11 featured TechShowcase companies from around the world.
 Following this one day forum, Cerahelix exhibited in the Innovation Pavilion (Booth IE5) from June 2-3rd at Water Expo. The Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) is the global platform to share and co-create innovative water solutions.
 "This has been a great opportunity for Cerahelix," says Susan MacKay, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cerahelix. "Singapore International Water Week is known as the premier event to build partnerships and collaborations in the water space. With representatives from hundreds of countries it has given Cerahelix the opportunity to showcase our technology and raise our profile in the international water space."

We are so excited to see Redd Energy Bars around Maine!

Here they are at the Coffee by Design at LL Bean in Freeport. (Thanks for the great pic Sunrise Guide!) You can also find them at Rosemont Market and Pat's Meat Market in Portland. Check out their website for other locations and 'Reddefine the Bar'.

BxG Accelerated Ventures company Dream Local has been busy as usual!

Top Gun graduate company, Tide Creative is happy to announce welcome Dana Hopkins. Dana has joined Tide Creative as an intern through the Blackstone Innovate for Maine Fellowship program. They are excited to have her on the team and in just a couple weeks here, she has already started contributing in a significant way!

Tide Creative is also excited to announce two new wedding industry partnerships for LulaWed; Wedding and Portrait Photographers International - the leading wedding photography association in the US and ShootDotEdit - the leading wedding photography editing company. 

Get your Oyster on! Top Gun graduate company, Nonesuch Oysters has received their first order on 160 sample sized Maine Sea Salt Scrubs for a Biddeford Pool wedding Also, they are launching their Oyster Tasting Tours this summer. Check out the Bangor Daily News article about them here.

Top Gun graduate company Kahbang is happy to report lots of exciting news!
  1. Meg Shorette (Executive Director of KAHBANG Arts) named in Top 50 people shaping Maine by Maine Magazine 
  2. KAHBANG Music & Arts Festival named Best Eclectic Festival in Down East Magazine's Best of Maine issue
  3. KAHBANG Hearts the Troop continued support for U.S. Military Troops

Top Gun graduate company, The Sunrise Guide is happy to announce that the new Green & Healthy Maine magazine,  is now available at stores throughout Maine and New England.  Find them at Whole Foods as well as ALL of the Hannafords, Shaws, Walgreens, Stop 'n Shop, Books a Million, Barnes & Noble and more. There is also a digital edition here. Pick up your copy today!  

 

Top Gun graduate, O'Brien Medical is pleased to announce the ETFs selection as one of Podiatry Today's Top Ten Innovations of 2014.  "Inclusion in this list of emerging technological innovations is an unexpected honor, " said company CEO, Todd O'Brien.  "This is welcome recognition for our design team's hard work especially as Podiatry Today is one of the most respected and widely read periodicals in the podiatry profession."   

 

Top Gun graduate, Rainstorm and their product, CourseStorm, the "impossibly simple" course registration system is growing rapidly and has more than doubled its revenue over the past year. They are on track to do it again this year!
They are also looking to hire a Business Development Manager to help us take CourseStorm and RainStorm to the next level. More info here 

Did you know you can get your Notary Services taken care of at MCED?
MCED's own Julie Vohs is a Maine Notary Public.
You will need a notary in any circumstance where it is necessary to confirm your identity and signature for legal purposes. This includes affidavits, contracts, title or property transfers, and other legal or financial documents. In most states it is a legal requirement to have court, legal, or financial documents notarized; but you might also consider getting your signature notarized in any circumstance where you or the other party involved feel that the authenticity of a signature may be called into question.

Stop in to MCED's offices during regular business hours, service is free!

Don't Miss it! Events

Friday, July 18, 2014
ACE Monthly Meeting
The Convergence of Innovation, Creativity, Learning, Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability
Time: 7:30-9:30am
FMI or to Register here

Friday, July 24, 2014
Event PechaKucha Portland #28
FMI Here

Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Lean Start-Up Workshop: Move Your Idea to Action
Hosted By Portland SCORE
Time:   6:00PM - 9:00PM
FMI or to Register here

Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Tech Hub Cruise
Further Details to Come

In This Issue
5 Minutes with Tyler Frank
Happenings
Did you know you can get your Notary Services taken care of at MCED?
Don't Miss It! Events
Upcoming Events
Sponsor Corner
Special Thanks
Important Dates from MTI
Upcoming Events:

 

Lunch and Learn  

Wednesday July 23, 2014

Foodiepreneur Workshop: Build It, Brand It, Sell It


Get advice on manufacturing, branding and selling your
food product. Joining us
will be
John Entwistle, Business Counselor of the Maine SBDC, Taja Dockendorf, Principal Creative and Brand/Energy Builder for Pulp and WIre,
and Gena Canning, Managing Partner of Pine State Trading.

FMI and registration here
***
Sponsor Corner
 
This month would like to  acknowledge sponsor: 



for their support of MCED
and entrepreneurship throughout the state
.
 
Grounded in stable growth
and local partnerships.

In response to the changing dynamic of Portland,  

J.B. Brown & Sons has gradually expanded its original holdings located primarily on the waterfront to include  

properties on the city's  

perimeter and in the  

Maine Mall area. Today they  

own and lease over 20 area properties and are in the  

process of two more major development projects.  

Focused on stable growth  

and perpetual ownership,  

they see each property  

as a long term investment.

J.B. Brown began as a family-owned company,  

and remains privately held,  

with a large percentage of its ownership retained by descendants of its founder.  

They understand that  

Portland's economic  

growth is vital to their  

continued success and  

invest in

the local community  

by building local  

partnerships.


Special Thanks
MCED has dramatically
expanded our Top Gun programs due to the generous support of
We are thankful and honored
to be part of this ambitious effort to catalyze the creation
of an intentional community
of growth through innovation.



Join us!
There are many available
ways to help bring Maine
growth through innovation.


Important Dates from MTI

   

7/17/14 
2014 New England Regional SBIR/STTR Summer Session

 

Join MTI as they host a financing event for entrepreneurs and small businesses to meet with officials from federal agencies representing the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs.   

Find out how to tap into the largest source of early-stage research and development funding for innovative technology in the US providing more than $2.5 billion each year to small businesses across the US to help entrepreneurs take their ideas from laboratory to market!

 

7/22/14 
 Seed Grant
Application Deadline Applications Due by 5 p.m.

9/3/14
Development Loan
Application Deadline Applications Due by 5 p.m.


10/2/14
 MTI TechWalk 2014

SAVE THE DATE for MTI's TechWalk 2014!

 

Please join MTI at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor for TechWalk 2014, an afternoon and evening of learning, sharing and networking. TechWalk brings together business leaders and entrepreneurs interested in developing and accelerating technology businesses in Maine.

 

More than 80 companies cutting across Maine's technology landscape will be present to show their products and to talk about their innovations. Do not miss this chance to rub shoulders with several of Maine's leading entrepreneurs who "made it" and get bit by the bug that drove them to success! This year's event will draw more than 600 business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, members of the media, legislators, agency personnel and industry and university technologists to provide a networking event unlike any other in Maine. Hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available during the exhibition.

FMI Here
 

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