Maine Outdoor Brands

Maine is producing some of the best outdoor experiences and products in the world. Outdoor recreation is core to Maine - both in what it provides for residents and visitors, but also supporting Maine's economy. The future is bright for Maine.  Video by 360 Media Ventures

🌱 Ready, Set, Grow! Funding Options for Your Outdoor Business 🌱 Calling all Maine-based outdoor business founders! Join Maine Outdoor Brands and Founded Outdoors for a virtual in-depth workshop exploring the various pathways to financing your growing business. Whether you're considering bootstrapping, applying for grants, raising equity, or taking on debt, this workshop will cover the pros and cons of each approach. Register here: https://lu.ma/tp3618n2

In January 2017, after a long day on the show floor at Outdoor Retailer, a group of Maine-based companies gathered for beers in a basement bar near the convention center in Salt Lake City. We shared stories, played pool, laughed, and wondered why we had to travel 2,400 miles from home to make these connections. That moment sparked the idea for what would become Maine Outdoor Brands (MOB). Back in Maine, the core Salt Lake City group began meeting regularly. We filed the paperwork to establish MOB as a legal entity, met with officials from Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, and connected with other Maine outdoor business owners. Around this time, the Bureau of Economic Analysis released its first report on the impact of the outdoor recreation economy, ranking Maine third in the nation for the value outdoor recreation adds to the state’s economy. Armed with this data, MOB officially launched in November 2017 with a mission to strengthen Maine’s outdoor recreation economy by uniting and advocating for the state’s outdoor product, service, and retail companies. Senator Angus King, then-DECD Commissioner George Gervais, and L.L.Bean CEO Stephen Smith emphasized the importance of Maine’s outdoor economy and celebrated the launch of MOB. We had 22 brand members that day. A month later, that number doubled. MOB coordinated dozens of networking and educational sessions across the state, advocated for the creation of The Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation (which launched in 2018 under the leadership of Carolann Ouellette), and regularly secured space at Outdoor Retailer, helping smaller Maine brands gain national exposure. In 2019, Jenny Kordick was hired as MOB’s executive director, tasked with overseeing the organization’s continued growth. Under Jenny’s steadfast leadership, MOB has become the voice of Maine’s outdoor industry, and with a staff of four is the largest outdoor business alliance in the country. The organization now has close to 200 members and collaborates closely with Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation — a partnership that's recognized as the industry's gold standard. Since its founding, MOB has expanded in size, reputation, and impact far beyond what anyone could have reasonably expected. So, it was bittersweet for me yesterday when, after seven years on the board, I stepped down. Could I have imagined what MOB would become? Most definitely not. But it’s a testament to the dozens of people who have volunteered their time and talents to make it all possible. To all of you, I offer a heartfelt thanks. It’s truly been an amazing journey, and I couldn’t have wished for better partners along the trail. In particular, I’d like to thank my business partners at Blaze Partners, Jenna Klein Jonsson and Kevin Kayne, for supporting these efforts in spirit and resources. (Jenna continues to serve on the MOB board.) It proves the saying: if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

We're looking forward to working with Jeff McCabe and continuing to parter with the The Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation to strengthen our state's $3B outdoor recreation economy. Congratulations, Jeff!

There's still time. We want to hear from you! 📢 Maine Outdoor Brands will be announcing the annual Trailblazer Award winners at the Maine Outdoor Economy Summit in November. We're calling on you to nominate brands that have furthered the Maine outdoor industry this year in the areas of innovation, collaboration, and leadership. Nominations must be for Maine-based businesses, organizations, and/or individuals who are involved in the outdoor industry in Maine, helping facilitate or encourage outdoor recreation. This could include making or selling outdoor gear and equipment, providing outdoor experiences, inspiring outdoor adventures, etc. #MaineOREC Find the nomination form at the link. ⬇

Welcome to the 11th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month! Read the full version or check out the highlights below. https://lnkd.in/g2WcDBWB Betsy Cook, the Maine State Director of The Trust for Public Land, advocates for increased, equitable investments in parks and public lands. https://lnkd.in/gmbX-TzW New "Find a Guide" tool from MAINE PROFESSIONAL GUIDES ASSOCIATION — developed with support from MAINE GUIDES EDUCATION FUND and L.L.Bean – allows users to search a directory of registered guides by name, keyword, activity, and/or region. https://lnkd.in/gqguW3-v Solvitall, a natural alternative to petroleum-based lubricants like WD-40, has launched their crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. https://lnkd.in/gbfBT2tz Survue is live on Kickstarter, Bringing AI vehicle detection to bicycle tail lights. https://lnkd.in/gFZZaUxC Katherine Englishman explains how a new partnership between Finisterre and Maine Surfers Union came to be. https://lnkd.in/gJtYacNn Maine is home to a growing number of outdoor gear lending and repair libraries. Hear from Josh Bossin of Maine GearShare, and learn more about Skowhegan Outdoors and Kindling Collective. https://lnkd.in/gcPhWYyu Read about Maine Outdoor Brands' 2024 Scholarship recipient, Hazel Crabtree. https://lnkd.in/ghKztqCV Acadia National Park visitation was down this spring, but officials expect a big year. https://lnkd.in/gVhbdH_F With a nod to summer campfires, Portland startup Marin Skincare expands product line. https://lnkd.in/gEmQTzBS L.L.Bean steps up its out-of-state expansion plans. https://lnkd.in/g67rCHcP MOB is thrilled to announce that we have received a $100,000 Domestic Trade Grant from the Mills Administration and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s Domestic Trade Program. Congratulations to MOB members Grain Surfboards, Maine Fly Company and Marin Skincare for also receiving grants. https://lnkd.in/eb7H-bzv

Congratulations to the University of Maine at Farmington and the Outdoor Recreation Business Administration program - one of the premier undergraduate programs for the #outdoorindustry in the country. ORBA and the Alpine Operations Certificate graduates have gone on to jobs at L.L.Bean, Old Town Canoe, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Sugarloaf, Saddleback Maine Ski Area, Boyne Resorts, and more. This grant will help take the programs to the next level and strengthen opportunities for students to get internships and other work experience with Maine Outdoor Brands and our member companies. BTW, University of Maine at Farmington was just recognized by US News & World Report as one of the top colleges for "easy access to skiing, snowboarding and other snow sports". ⛷

We're #hiring a new Operations Manager in Portland, Maine. Apply today or share this post with your network.

MOB is thrilled to announce that we have received a $100,000 Domestic Trade Grant from the Mills Administration and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s Domestic Trade Program, aimed at boosting the sales of Maine-made products nationwide. With this support, MOB will: - Expand our in-store “buy local” activations - Participate in trade shows - Offer technical assistance to emerging businesses - Launch an online storefront Since our founding, MOB has been dedicated to enhancing the visibility of local outdoor brands through collaborative marketing efforts, and we’re excited to expand these initiatives to benefit our members and Maine’s outdoor recreation economy this year. Congratulations to our members Maine Fly Company, Grain Surfboards, Guided Makers, and Marin Skincare for also receiving grants! Thank you to the Mills Administration and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development for their continued support of Maine’s outdoor industry. Read more about our exciting plans here: https://lnkd.in/effd-uqs

Team Maine at Outdoor Retailer! Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth in Salt Lake City to meet with exhibiting Maine brands: Bijou Build, Survue, Brant & Cochran, and Flowfold. Our collaborative booth model in partnership with the The Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation helps emerging brands and entrepreneurs access the show and allows us to work together to shine a spotlight on Maine and our $3.3B outdoor recreation economy. We were also able to feature products from other MOB members Good To-Go, Mainers, FLYN, Sambob– Sambob.biz, Solvitall via Maine Standard Biofuels, and Hyperlite Mountain Gear, and connect with members and partners L.L.Bean, Dirigo & Co, Founded Outdoors, Outdoor Industry Association.