A national nonprofit that helps connect entrepreneurs with experienced business mentors will honor two Maine small businesses next week at its annual awards event.
SCORE on Thursday announced the winners of its 2015 awards, which recognizes successful small businesses that have worked with SCORE mentors. The awards will be presented at an event on Sept. 17 in Washington, D.C.
Of 10 awards up for grabs, Maine companies will walk away with two.
Flowfold, a company based on Peaks Island that makes wallets and tote bags from recycled high-tech sail material, will receive the Outstanding American Manufacturer Small Business Award. Charles Friedman and Devin McNeill co-founded the company in 2010. This past June, it won Gorham Savings Bank’s Launchpad business plan competition, which came with $30,000 in prize money. The SCORE mentor who has helped Friedman and McNeill is Nancy Strojny, who is chair of the Portland SCORE chapter.
MaineWorks, a Portland-based staffing company that provides employment opportunities to recently released inmates and immigrants, will receive SCORE’s Outstanding Job-Creator Award. Margo Walsh founded the company in 2010. Walsh’s mentors, who are also named in the announcement, are Doug Collins and Alan Shaver.
Strojny said the local SCORE chapter is honored to have two national award winners in its midst.
“Flowfold and MaineWorks face daily challenges and opportunities as they scale their business,” Strojny said. “Our SCORE-certified mentors offer keen insights and uncommon business sense. Doug Collins and Alan Shaver are two of very best mentors in Maine. We are grateful for our role helping Maine’s business community thrive.”
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