Smart Ways to Invest in Your Business from Day One
Launching your first business is both exciting and overwhelming. With limited resources, you have to decide what’s worth the early investment and what can wait. Choosing wisely now can save time, money, and frustration down the road. Below are some of the most impactful areas new owners should prioritize. 1. Foundational Financial Tools Separating personal and business finances should be a top priority. Opening a business bank account with providers likeMercury helps establish credibility,
Indigenous Peoples Day: Abbe Museum Offers Programming & Pay What You Can Admission (9/22/2025)
Indigenous Peoples Day: Abbe Museum Offers Special Programming & Pay What You Can Admission Bar Harbor - The Abbe Museum will be open on Indigenous Peoples Day (Monday, October 13, 2025) and will feature free programming including performances by the Inter-Tribal drum group Rez Dogs and a printmaking workshop. Admission for that day (10am-5pm) will be “pay what you can” - which, along with the performances, are sponsored by Friends of Acadia. Drumming will take place on the Museum’s
Hillary Carter Joins Bar Harbor Bank & Trust as Mortgage Loan Originator: (9/18/2025)
Hillary Carter Joins Bar Harbor Bank & Trust as Mortgage Loan Originator Ellsworth, Maine – Hillary Carter has joined Bar Harbor Bank & Trust as a Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS#2752475). In this role, she helps individuals and families in Hancock and Washington County, Maine, finding the right financing solutions for their residential needs. Hillary has more than 25 years of banking experience. She previously worked at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust from 2000 to 2017, taking on many roles
Pet of the Week: Rigatoni 9/18/2025
PET OF THE WEEK Meet Rigatoni, a 3-month-old black kitten who is playful, curious, and full of love. He spends his days chasing toys, exploring every corner he can find, and then curling up for a cozy nap once he has worn himself out. Rigatoni has just the right mix of silly kitten energy and sweet snuggle time. Young kittens like Rigatoni do best when they have a friend. Being adopted in pairs or joining a home with other cats helps them learn important social skills, keeps them entertained, and makes
BHBT Employee-Driven Charitable Program Awards More Than $24,000 to Nine NonProfits (9/11/2025)
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust’s Employee-Driven Charitable Giving Program Presents More than $24,000 in Donations to Nine Nonprofit Organizations Serving Northern New England Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees recently presented more than $24,000 in donations collected through the Bank’s employee-driven charitable giving program, Casual for a Cause, to nine organizations serving communities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The recipients of the donations collected during the
Pet of The Week: Gracie Mae (9/11/2025)
Meet Gracie Mae, a 5-year-old sweetheart with a big personality and an even bigger heart. She is a smart girl who already knows her basic commands, and nothing makes her happier than a rub down from her favorite people. Gracie Mae is also a true foodie, though she will tell you the shelter staff are being dramatic when they say she could stand to lose a few pounds. At about 80 pounds, she is the perfect size for leaning into her favorite people and covering them in slobbery kisses. She can be selective
Bar Harbor Wealth Management Accepting Applications for Hattie A. & Fred C. Lynam Trust (9/3/2025)
Bar Harbor Wealth Management Accepting Applications Until September 19 From Mount Desert Island Nonprofits for Hattie A. & Fred C. Lynam Trust GrantsBar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Wealth Management is accepting applications for the 2025 Hattie A. & Fred C. Lynam Trust grants now through September 19, 2025. The Lynam Trust, which is managed by Bar Harbor Wealth Management, was established in 1942 and supports charitable, religious, and educational organizations serving the people of Mount Desert
Why Every Business Needs a Media Kit That Works
If you’ve ever tried to pitch your business to a journalist or attempted to land coverage in a meaningful outlet without a media kit, you know how awkward and clumsy that process can feel. You’re fumbling around in emails, pulling links from your website, grabbing logos off some forgotten Dropbox folder, all while hoping your tone sounds confident and not desperate. A media kit doesn’t just make you look more put together, it makes the person on the other end of the request more likely to care. In a
The Subtle Art of Packaging: How Small Touches Create Big Feelings
When someone opens a package from a small business, there’s a brief but powerful moment where impressions are made. It’s more than tissue paper or twine. It’s a feeling, and it hits fast. Maybe it’s the scent of lavender tucked in with a handmade candle, or a thank-you note in handwriting that leans a little to the left. Either way, the packaging is doing more than protecting a product. It’s setting a tone. It’s telling a story. And if you're the business owner, it’s your quiet handshake through a
More Than a Hello: How to Craft a Digital Welcome Kit That Builds Trust
Welcoming a new client isn’t just about sending a handshake emoji and waiting for the next email. It’s a pivotal moment that lays the groundwork for the entire working relationship. A well-curated digital welcome kit speaks volumes—it’s a sign of professionalism, readiness, and genuine interest in helping someone succeed. But it has to strike the right balance: polished without being cold, comprehensive without being bloated. Polish the Visuals Before Hitting Send Visual clutter doesn’t just distract—it
Website Strategies for Small Businesses to Thrive During Economic Downturns
Economic downturns don’t just tighten wallets — they force small businesses into a delicate balancing act between survival and growth. Your website, often the first point of contact for potential customers, can become both shield and sword if approached strategically. It’s not just about looking professional; it’s about shaping experiences that inspire confidence, answer unspoken needs, and make your business indispensable. With the right blend of creativity, adaptability, and customer-first thinking,
