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Starting a Small Business in Maine

Welcome to the Small Business Startup Maine Franchise Directory! Here, you’ll find everything you need to begin your journey to business ownership in The Pine Tree State. If you’re considering starting a small business in Maine, read on for an overview of the state economy. Afterward, explore business opportunities and franchises for sale with our Maine Franchise Search Tool.

Maine Industry Trends

If an industry is performing well, business opportunities within it are often worth exploring. Begin your market research with this list of the Maine economy’s most prominent industries in 2022. Afterward, take your research one step further by investigating niche markets and B2B opportunities within one of these top revenue-generating industries.

Life Insurance & Annuities(Revenue: $10.5 billion)
Hospitals (Revenue: $8.4 billion)
Gas Stations with Convenience Stores (Revenue: $6.1 billion)
New Car Dealers (Revenue: $4.9 billion)
Supermarkets & Grocery Stores (Revenue: $4.8 billion)
Public Schools (Revenue: $4.0 billion)
Gasoline & Petroleum Bulk Stores (Revenue: $3.6 billion)
Commercial Banking (Revenue: $3.4 billion)
Health & Medical Insurance (Revenue: $3.4 billion)
Drug, Cosmetic & Toiletry Wholesaling (Revenue: $2.7 billion)

Maine Sector Statistics

When starting a small business in Maine, gross domestic product (GDP) is another tool entrepreneurs can use to make investment decisions. Generally, a steadily rising GDP means people are spending more money and creating more jobs.

The three sectors that contributed most to Maine’s GDP in 2022 were Real Estate, Rentals & Leasing; Healthcare & Social Assistance; and Manufacturing. Combined, these three sectors represented 43.0% of the state’s GDP. In 2022, the sectors that contributed most to Maine’s GDP included:

Real Estate, Rentals & Leasing (Value: $10.3 billion* | Annual growth: 4.8%)
Healthcare & Social Assistance (Value: $7.1 billion* | Annual growth: 1.0%)
Manufacturing (Value: $6.6 billion* | Annual growth: 4.6%)
Retail Trade (Value: $5.2 billion* | Annual growth: 0.9%)
Finance & Insurance (Value: $4.8 billion* | Annual growth: 9.2%)
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (Value: $3.9 billion* | Annual growth: 3.4%)
Wholesale Trade (Value: $3.4 billion* | Annual growth: 2.0%)
Management of Companies and (Value: $2.4 billion* | Annual growth: 6.8%)
Administration, Business Support & Waste Management Services (Value: $1.9 billion* | Annual growth: 3.1%)
Construction (Value: $1.8 billion* | Annual growth: 2.0%)
Accommodation & Food Services (Value: $1.8 billion* | Annual growth: -20.2%)
Information (Value: $1.6 billion* | Annual growth: 6.4%)
Transportation & Warehousing (Value: $1.2 billion* | Annual growth: -0.2%)
Other Services (except Public Administration) (Value: $1.1 billion* | Annual growth: -1.9%)
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (Value: $819 million* | Annual growth: 15.%)

*Approximately

Maine Population Statistics

A growing population often means greater demand and a steady flow of new customers. If you are undecided about the location of your new business, start by investigating population statistics. Afterward, take your research a step further by exploring population demographics. Doing so lets you decide whether a location is a good match for your target market.

In 2022, counties with the highest populations in Maine included:

Cumberland (Population: 301,800 | Annual growth rate*: 0.6%)
York (Population: 211,900 | Annual growth rate*: 0.7%)
Penobscot (Population: 151,500 | Annual growth rate*: -0.1%)
Kennebec (Population: 123,900 | Annual growth rate*:0.4%)
Androscoggin (Population: 109,100 | Annual growth rate*: 0.2%)
Aroostook (Population: 66,200 | Annual growth rate*: -0.4%)
Oxford (Population: 58,500 | Annual growth rate*: 0.3%)
Hancock (Population: 55,300 | Annual growth rate*: 0.2%)
Somerset (Population: 50,600 | Annual growth rate*: N/A)
Waldo (Population: 40,200 | Annual growth rate*: 0.3%)
Knox (Population: 40,100 | Annual growth rate*: 0.2%)
Sagadahoc (Population: 36,300 | Annual growth rate*: 0.3%)
Lincoln (Population: 35,100 | Annual growth rate*: 0.5%)
Washington (Population: 31,600 | Annual growth rate*: 0.3%)
Franklin (Population: 30,000 | Annual growth rate*: N/A)

*From 2017 to 2022.

Maine Business Opportunities

We hope this snapshot of the Maine economy helps as you investigate business opportunities in The Pine Tree State! Starting a small business in Maine is an exciting journey, and we know you’re probably eager to get started. But remember, take your time to explore all your options. While you’ll always have the “opportunity” to start your own business, sometimes, it makes more sense to invest in an opportunity that already exists. These are called “Franchise Opportunities,” and they offer several benefits, including the recognition of a well-established brand and a proven track record of success.

To learn more, start by exploring franchise opportunities in Maine below!

Explore Opportunities and Insights

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Real Property Management

Real Property Management, a Neighborly company, is the nation's leading property management services franchise.

$50,000 Min Cash Required

CartCapital - Subscription Based E-Commerce Store

Did you know you could partner with a company to build out your entire e-commerce store, from product research to inventory acquisition to marketing? Yep You can easily make 6-7 figures in passive income when we build your e-commerce empire and money-making machine from the ground up All it takes is an upfront investment, and our team will do the rest. By this time next year, you could be sitting on a 7 figure empire. Learn more now

$30,000 Min Cash Required

FocalPoint

Our franchise allows you to combine your extensive skills and experience with our Brian Tracy proven content to produce massive business improvement and individual success. Our coaches are passionate and energized by the thrill we get when we help others be their very best. Our incoming coaches are walked step by step through a detailed and thorough onboarding process. Following certification training, incoming coaches participate in two simultaneous programs, both which focus on the necessary aspects required to help you get your coaching practice producing revenues quickly. Because of our proven content, core values, and extensive experience of our coaches, we are the coaching franchise of choice.

$75,000 Min Cash Required

PostalAnnex

Today's busy lifestyles demand the services PostalAnnex offers. Capitalize on this demand and open your own business After retiring from the printing business PostalAnnex founder Jack Lentz began working out of his home as a business consultant. He soon realized the need for mailing faxing copying shipping and other services to belong under one roof. As a result he created the first PostalAnnex store business franchise located next door to a post office in the University City neighborhood of San Diego CA. Our franchises serve a growing customer base of small and home-based businesses that lacks the resources our stores offer. Today's hectic lifestyle requires a one-stop service center for businesses that don't have an administrative assistant to take care of those daily errands. Saving our consumers time is what keeps them coming back. By being a local neighborhood business

$70,000 Min Cash Required

Wealth Automators

Click the video below to learn how Wealth Automators eCommerce stores provide bi-weekly income for the store owner by selling only USA products on Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, and Facebook Marketplace. We use the same business model as the largest stores on Amazon earning 110 Million monthly revenue. Individuals own their stores 100, while Wealth Automators handles all day-to-day operations in return for a profit split. Business owners achieve 3060 ROI monthly within 60 days.

$60,000 Min Cash Required

American Business Systems

American Business Systems (ABS) is the fastest way to start your own medical billing business. 100 Money-Back Guarantee. Profit from ABS 25 years as America's leader in Medical Billing and get Live Online Training and Free Lifetime Support.

Starting a Small Business in Maine