CEI Women's Business Center

CEI Women's Business Center The CEI Women's Business Center offers experienced, knowledgeable business specialists who help at any stage of business, from start-up to expansion.

Within a setting that respects your experience, skills, and learning style, we assist you in building business skills through access to timely, accurate, tailored information and resources. We offer free and confidential business counseling on topics such as: business plan development; financing options for your business; business skills such as marketing and financial management; ongoing support

for growth and expansion tailored to your business; and assistance in buying or selling a business. We also offer workshops and training events on a variety of business issues. Our services are statewide, and provided both in person and online. We have offices and outreach locations in Brunswick, Portland, Augusta, Lewiston, Farmington, & Machias. For more information about our services, please go to www.ceimaine.org/women or call (207) 504-5900.

We'd like to extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors for the 2026 Women Mean Business Summit event. Their generosit...
06/05/2026

We'd like to extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors for the 2026 Women Mean Business Summit event. Their generosity and support have helped bring all of us together at the 2026 Summit to educate, share ideas, and network with one another to strengthen our community of woman owned small businesses!

Many of these organizations support CEI and our Women's Business Centers year-round, helping us reach more female entrepreneurs across the state.

In addition to our event sponsors, we want to acknowledge the SBA (, ). Our Women's Business Centers are funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and we are grateful for their ongoing partnership.

Our Silver Sponsors include:
Franklin Savings Bank ()
Spruce Mountain Wealth Partners

Our Bronze Sponsors include:
Bangor Savings Bank ()
Maine Technology Institute (MTI) ()
Maine Community Bank ()
Norway Savings Bank ()
Key Bank ()
M&T Bank ()

Funder:
SBA: Funded in Part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All Opinions, conclusions, and /or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

TOMORROW 8:00-9:30 AM! Join us for a business check-in, and get ready to see real progress. Join our June Biz Fit for a ...
06/04/2026

TOMORROW 8:00-9:30 AM! Join us for a business check-in, and get ready to see real progress.

Join our June Biz Fit for a 90-minute reset on your business goals and “vital signs.” Reflect on what’s working, share ideas in small groups, and leave with clear next steps for the rest of the year.

No prep. Just bring your coffee and join us.
📅 June 5
⏰ 8:00–9:30 am
📍 Online

Register and invite a friend!

If your audience is scrolling, you want them stopping on your content. Join our (free!) upcoming workshop and learn how ...
06/04/2026

If your audience is scrolling, you want them stopping on your content. Join our (free!) upcoming workshop and learn how to turn posts into real connections and loyal customers.

🗓️ June 17 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Online

In this session, you’ll learn how to:
✨ Create content that genuinely connects with your audience
✨ Understand what your audience actually wants to see
✨ Work with social media algorithms, not against them
✨ Build a simple, consistent posting plan that works

A strong content strategy can make all the difference. Let’s make sure your brand stands out.

🎟️ Register today
🔗 Link in bio

This week, CEI joined communities across the country for NeighborWorks Week.NeighborWorks America () is a national netwo...
05/28/2026

This week, CEI joined communities across the country for NeighborWorks Week.

NeighborWorks America () is a national network of nearly 250 organizations working to expand access to affordable housing, promote financial stability, and build strong, resilient communities. We’re proud to be part of this network and to contribute to that work here in Maine.

To celebrate NeighborWorks Week, CEI staff took a day out of the office to roll up our sleeves and volunteer. We partnered with (United Way of Mid Coast Maine), in Windham, Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program, (Brunswick–Topsham Land Trust), and Family Focus.

We’re proud to support the spaces and organizations that nourish, connect, and uplift our neighbors, helping build stronger communities together.

Thank you so much, NeighborWorks, for your continued support and partnership!

05/28/2026

This week, CEI joined communities across the country for NeighborWorks Week.

NeighborWorks America () is a national network of nearly 250 organizations working to expand access to affordable housing, promote financial stability, and build strong, resilient communities. We’re proud to be part of this network and to contribute to that work here in Maine.

To celebrate NeighborWorks Week, CEI staff took a day out of the office to roll up our sleeves and volunteer. We partnered with (United Way of Mid Coast Maine), in Windham, Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program, (Brunswick–Topsham Land Trust), and Family Focus. Thank you for supporting this work and making it possible.

We’re proud to support the spaces and organizations that nourish, connect, and uplift our neighbors, helping build stronger communities together. Thank you so much, NeighborWorks, for your continued support and partnership.

Meet Cathy Roberts, who thought she was helping out for a while until people started asking what was next.Cathy stepped ...
05/26/2026

Meet Cathy Roberts, who thought she was helping out for a while until people started asking what was next.

Cathy stepped up to help her dad one day, never expecting it to last. But when that business was sold, the work didn’t disappear, and neither did the people. Her employees asked for more, and Cathy chose to keep going. She leaned into what she was good at: solving problems, paying attention to details, and figuring out how to make things work when there was no blueprint.

Her determination became Pieceworks, Inc., a business taking on hands‑on assembly and manufacturing work that requires care and creativity, while giving employees the chance to build skills and grow with every project.

Read Cathy's full story with the link in our bio.

Only 4 spots left 👀Want to talk about your business with clarity and confidence? Join Spokeswomen in a Day on June 12 fo...
05/24/2026

Only 4 spots left 👀

Want to talk about your business with clarity and confidence? Join Spokeswomen in a Day on June 12 for a hands-on, in-person workshop designed to help you refine your message and own every conversation.

You’ll practice real-world scenarios, get supportive feedback, and leave with tools you can use right away.

✨ Maine-based entrepreneurs
✨ Interactive, small-group setting
✨ Lunch included

If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you do or wished you sounded more confident, this is for you.

👉 Register now and claim one of the last spots
🔗 Link in bio

05/23/2026

Permits and inspections don’t have to feel overwhelming.

Join us on June 11 for a virtual town hall designed to help Maine food businesses better understand licensing, health inspections, and compliance. You’ll hear directly from the agencies involved and have plenty of time to ask your questions in a supportive, low-pressure space.

Come get clarity, make connections, and build confidence in your next steps.

📅 June 11 | 10–11:30 am
💻 Online
🔗 Register today

Tariffs are changing fast. Stay ahead of what it means for your business.Join CEI and the Maine International Trade Cent...
05/22/2026

Tariffs are changing fast. Stay ahead of what it means for your business.

Join CEI and the Maine International Trade Center on June 1 for a timely webinar on IEEPA tariff refunds, compliance basics, and how recent policy shifts are impacting Maine importers and exporters.

You’ll hear from international trade expert Mark Segrist and walk away with practical insights to help you navigate pricing, supply chains, and risk.

🔗 Register today
📅 June 1 | 10–11 am | Online

Pricing doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game. Join us June 2 to build a stronger financial foundation, understand y...
05/21/2026

Pricing doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game. Join us June 2 to build a stronger financial foundation, understand your numbers, and set prices that truly support your business.

Address

2 Portland Fish Pier
Portland, ME
04101

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