By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
AUGUSTA — Erica Quin-Easter, microenterprise coordinator at Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community (Presque Isle Center), has been selected to receive the U.S. Small Business Administration’s prestigious Women in Business Champion of the Year award.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and recognizing those who work so hard to facilitate their success is truly an honor,” said Maurice “Moe” Dubé, SBA district director for Maine. “It is a particular privilege to present this award to Erica Quin-Easter, who has demonstrated a long-standing and ongoing commitment to create economic opportunities for women in Maine.”
Quin-Easter, of Caribou, is a highly regarded mentor and recognized leader in providing training and business development assistance to women. In her position as microenterprise coordinator for the Aroostook County region with Women, Work and Community (WWC), Quin-Easter has served nearly 500 entrepreneurs since joining WWC in January 2008. She has also served on the board of directors of Momentum Aroostook and the Wintergreen Arts Center.
Lindy Howe, owner of Heywood Kennel Dog Sled Adventures in Stockholm, nominated Quin-Easter for the award.
“It’s a great honor to be chosen for this award, particularly since I was nominated by one of our local New Ventures graduates, Lindy Howe,” said Quin-Easter. “Nothing means more to me than seeing the outstanding success of entrepreneurs like Lindy and so many other graduates of Women, Work, and Community’s programs. I’m honored to be recognized for my part in helping Aroostook entrepreneurs progress toward their business goals.”
As the microenterprise coordinator, Quin-Easter said she has the “privilege of hearing peoples’ hopes and dreams every day and helping them figure out how to build a feasible business that will attract customers and earn a living.”
“My small business clients range from housekeepers to horse riding instructors, from auto repair mechanics to artists and artisans, from technology innovators to retail shop owners and restaurateurs,” she said. “Since every dream is different and the business sectors I work with vary so widely, the work is never boring.”
Quin-Easter majored in political science at New College of Florida, received her master’s in American and New England studies at the University of Southern Maine, and is currently completing work as a PhD student in Canadian-American history at the University of Maine.
“While my interests are broad, my heart and my professional experience is in public sector work,” she said. “Before being hired as the microenterprise coordinator with Women, Work, and Community, I worked for 10 years in the non-profit sector doing fundraising and development for several southern Maine non-profits. Whether you’re a small business or a non-profit organization, the bottom line is the same — you need to remain relevant to the people you serve, whether they’re your customers or your contributors, and you need to run a tight ship to pay the bills and balance your budget.”
Howe said she nominated Quin-Easter for the award because she has seen and continues to see how much she helps women all over Maine and particularly in Aroostook County.
Howe also said she owes the success of her winter business to Quin-Easter.
“She helps us turn our dreams into a reality so that we can better care for ourselves, our families, and better contribute to our communitie,.” Howe said.
Quin-Easter said Aroostook County is a great place to be promoting entrepreneurialism.
“So many of us are doing ‘a little something on the side’ that almost everyone has experience with some form of small business operations, whether it’s a family business, a hobby that takes over your life, or simply the way you get by and put food on your family’s table,” she said. “With the right effort, business planning, and professional help, small business owners can get their marketing and operations to a level that can make a big difference in their quality of life and the economy of our community.
“The motivation for my work comes from our clients. In addition to business development, Women, Work, and Community also works with women and men to meet their overall career and financial goals and put the big picture together. It’s extremely gratifying to help entrepreneurs get a handle on what they need to be successful and see them set goals and meet them. I have what I call the ‘Wall of Fame’ above my desk in our Aroostook office, where I post copies of newspaper articles that feature our WWC entrepreneurs,” said Quin-Easter. “My wall is getting so full that it’s hard to reach a blank space for a new spot — that’s a good sign that our work is making a difference.”
Quin-Easter will be honored at an SBA celebration luncheon May 5 at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor.
