Before COVID, I held an internet marketing workshop at Rolling Fatties in Kingfield with people from Greater Franklin, Maine Mountain Children’s House, Northern Outdoors, Run-A-Muk Acres Farm, Crooked Face Creamery, and Bigelow Brewing. I talked about Google and search engine optimization, social media and how to connect with people online. Turned out the best social networking happened IRL in the room. Years later Greater Franklin hired me, in part to create more conversations like that one.
Marketing Meetups are casual conversations about what works, and doesn’t work, when doing business in Western Maine. We talk about websites, Google Maps, social media, AI, blog posts, pricing, packaging, hiring help, managing contractors, finding customers, finding time, and the universal challenge of making money doing the things we actually like doing.
At one meetup, Nicole Porter of Monomoy Social Media shared ways to use Facebook and Instagram intentionally instead of letting social media become a time suck. We discussed social media as a tool to bring people together in person. Jackie Lastinger provided a perfect example with her Girls Trip Adventure Co local Maine hikes.
At another, Kelsey of Black Rabbit Design Studio talked about valuing your time. Liz Stefany of Carrabassett Valley Jewelry took that conversation home with her.
“I FINALLY got motivated to build a custom jewelry page. It still needs work (Obviously. Websites, like houses, are NEVER done), but I leveled up by spelling out the process for customers, which should help hold me more accountable, and also be more transparent up front to them, so they know MY expectations. I also made tiers for design fees that will cover all the work I do behind the scenes that I have a hard time keeping track of, and therefore typically don’t actually get ‘paid’ for.”
“Shoutout to Kelsey (Black Rabbit Design) for whatever she said that helped kick my butt into gear! It was something about valuing your time, etc, which I KNOW, and have heard before from many…but having a friend and local businesswoman say it to your face in front of a group who all agreed…there’s real value in that.”
We started at The Study: Kingfield’s Community Coworking Space on March 2, 2026, and have been gathering on the first Monday of the month from 4-6 p.m.
Five people came to the first one. By June, 25+ people packed The Study for our Maine Made Meetup with Tammy Knight of Maine Made. Bill Whittier of Maine MEP and Naomi Neville of Maine Center for Entrepreneurs showed up too, a triple header of state program leaders in Kingfield helping local businesses connect with available resources.
Now we’re taking the conversations on the road.
September 9, 4–6 p.m. — Morrison Hill Orchard
Greater Franklin Food Industry Marketing Meetup, with the Greater Franklin Food Council.
Meetup Details and Discussion
October 5, 4–6 p.m. — Titcomb Mountain
Outdoor Recreation Marketing Meetup. An hour talking in the lodge, an hour outside on the trails.
*TIP You can list your business aka trailside service for free on Maine Trail Finder
Date TBD — Spruce Mountain
Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Marketing Meetup
A few of the business owners and managers, artists and makers who have joined us… if you showed up and want to be on the list, please comment below! Heck, comment anyway, say anything, tell us about your biz ventures, your marketing tips! It helps more people see this post, which means more people connect in person, and more people join in the conversation about how we can grow together.
All of us wear multiple hats, have multiple jobs, multiple businesses, storied “careers”. It’s a Maine thing.
At our Maine Made Meetup, Diana Thomas was deep in the final stages of bringing the varied pieces of Clay and Cloth Studio together under one roof.
“The best part about the meeting was getting together with the other artists/artisans. Doing such solo work most of the time, it’s great to get together as a group.”
“The information about available resources and support services was genuinely useful, but what I’ll carry with me is the conversations with other makers and artisans — hearing their stories, their challenges, and what they’re working toward. There’s something grounding about being reminded that you’re not alone in trying to build something meaningful out of a creative vision. That kind of community feels like its own kind of support.”
Agree. So does Liz Stefany:
“As someone used to having meetings with me, myself, and I, it is so refreshing to hear other local business people IN PERSON, and discuss our ideas, frustrations, aspirations, etc. I have a good community of jewelers and metalsmiths online, but there’s something just a step above about being able to meet up and actually share a table with a group of entrepreneurs.”
“I also just like to hear what other folks are up to, and share my ideas to help lift THEM up as well. I’m all in for a good brainstorming session, and have made a bunch of notes for myself while listening to the group offer ideas to someone else.”
Sign up for Greater Franklin emails below, connect with us on Facebook, email Steph to set up a marketing meetup in your town. If Kingfield is your town, then join Kingfield Together for meetups of all kinds. Hope to see you face-to-face!
