Today, we are thrilled to release the first episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast hosted by Chief Program Officer Matt Wagner. Every Wednesday, tune into Matt's conversations with Main Street and neighborhood entrepreneurs from around the country. Every episode will explore a different business owner’s journey into entrepreneurship, offering their personal perspectives, lessons learned, and wisdom on operating and succeeding along Main Street.

Main Street Business Insights will dive into the intersections between small business owners and their communities and explore the sizable impact small businesses have on the national economy.

“Given my background in both downtown revitalization and entrepreneurship, I’ve always felt that the peer-to-peer learning that occurs through our own Main Street network could be replicated by given small businesses the opportunity to hear from one another, sharing challenges, solutions, and their lived experiences and expertise.” said Wagner. “In my field work over the recent years, I’ve seen first-hand the astounding level of innovation occurring among small business owners, even in the face of economic, social, and environmental turbulence. Main Street Business Insights will weave these stories from the perspective of Main Street businesses demonstrating their impact on our communities and broader economy.”

Episode 1: Blending Mission and Economic Impact with Maine Grains Owner Amber Lambke

In the inaugural episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sat down with the co-founder and CEO of Maine Grains, Amber Lambke. Located in downtown Skowhegan, Maine, Maine Grains is a grist mill that processes locally grown and organic heritage grains for bakers, brewers, and chefs throughout the Northeast. What's more, Maine Grains has created a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem around it that creates jobs, improves land use, and provides healthy food all while serving as a successful model for thriving local entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Amber began her path towards entrepreneurship when she was a new mother, soon after relocating to Skowhegan. With a little time on her hands and a desire to more deeply engage with her new community, Amber began volunteering at the farmer's market. There, she learned that grain farmers and producers were missing components in the local food shed. Maine Grains grew out of a desire to bring locally grown and manufactured grain products back to central Maine.

Her story highlights the importance of how combining a business with a higher purpose, along with a successful formula for growing and scaling, can build community and spur growth.

“Over the last year, I’ve met with entrepreneurs like Amber across America’s Main Streets,” said Wagner. “In all my conversations, I’ve found continued proof of what I have long believed, that small businesses and the people behind them are the engine that drive our communities forward. My hope is that these conversations will inspire entrepreneurs with innovative ways to grow and offer lessons to Main Street leaders to creatively engage with and support their local businesses.”

Go Behind the Scenes with Amber Lambke of Maine Grains

Listen Now to Main Street Business Insights

Main Street Business Insights is available wherever you find your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple linked below.

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Stay tuned for next week’s episode featuring Terrand Smith, owner of 37 Oaks in Chicago, Illinois.

Hestia Creations, a Main Street America Allied Member, is this quarter's Main Spotlight advertiser. For more information about the products and services they provide to Main Street organizations, click here >