In Biddeford, Maine, a young dentist's determination to own his practice has become a reality, demonstrating the significant impact of local support and dedicated learning. Dr. Dan Burke, originally from Freeport and educated at the University of New England, embodies how ambition paired with the proper support can lead to outstanding achievements. His progression from an aspiring dentist to the owner of All Smiles Dental, a practice with over 30 years of service to the community, is a personal success and an inspiration for professionals in all fields. Dr. Burke's academic foundation is strong. He earned a Bachelor of Science…

In 1994, Shawn Spencer was struggling to make his ground-breaking industrial coatings machine design into a viable business. All he lacked was the capital to purchase the necessary materials to build his equipment. “SMFA and Will were instrumental in getting the company off the ground. I don’t know if we would exist without them to be honest. We had exhausted other avenues,” says Shawn. He goes on to explain that what they do is very difficult to explain or understand for the lay person. “I would present my business plan to banks, and they would look at me with total…