Small Business Spotlight
Spotlights
Small businesses are the heart of Aroostook County — they fuel our local economy, create jobs, and strengthen the fabric of our communities. From family-run farms to neighborhood shops, these businesses represent the spirit of resilience and innovation that defines our region. To honor their impact, we’re launching a monthly spotlight on our website to feature and celebrate the incredible work they do. By sharing their stories, we hope to uplift local entrepreneurs and encourage continued support for the small businesses that help Aroostook thrive.
Our Story
We moved to northern Maine in the summer of 2021, hailing from the West Coast. We moved here on a whim, having never been to Maine and knowing no-one from here. We had just always believed we’d wind up here. Shortly after we arrived we were in search of local coffee shops to patronize and were surprised to hear that there were only fast food establishments serving coffee drinks.
Hearing that there was an influx of new residents moving to the County from all over the US, I (Tamara) told my husband that we needed to open a coffee shop. I knew with the many new residents I would not be the only one with that idea.
Prior to heading to the East Coast, we had purchased a home in Caribou, sight-unseen. The home was in need of total renovation (immediately upon arrival in Maine, we were knee deep in those renovations). My husband agreed that maybe the following year we could look into starting a coffee shop. Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately, I insisted that the timing was of the essence I wanted to begin the work of putting together a shop immediately. My husband relented, and thus we immediately started creating what would become Ruska Coffee Co.
Starting our business was fun, challenging, and scary. We spent months talking to locals and doing as much research as possible. We knew one thing for certain – location was very important. We decided that staying downtown, on or near Sweden Street, was our ideal location. We eventually landed on a building in our desired area. The building had never been used in a food or beverage industry and thus required a substantial amount of renovations. We did not have a lot of excess funds to create our shop but put in tireless hours of sweat equity and purchased some used equipment. We also obtained a small amount of additional startup funding through NMDC.
COVID was ever present during the beginning months of our building and development. It had changed the world in so many ways. As we created our business, we set forward to reunite people. A comfortable and welcoming environment was key. We strove to get back to a world of customer service and human interaction. We were also very particular about our beverage choices, and later as we added our kitchen, our food choices. Our goal was creating a place that we ourselves would want to patronize.
We endured an extreme hardship as our oldest son was killed prior to our intended opening. The emotional turmoil caused an unexpected pause on the forward movement of our business. After many months had passed, we realized that financially we were at a turning point – we needed to open our doors and we did so in February 2023. Ready or not we jumped in.
Although we did not have all of the pieces perfectly together, the community showed up big and has kept showing up ever since! We have been awe-inspired at the amazing support we have received from the locals and those from neighboring areas as well. Despite some initial concerns by locals about a coffee shop being a viable business in Caribou, we have managed to not only exist but thrive in our small town.
In many areas of the US, newcomers might not be welcomed or well received. But Aroostook County is like no other! The people in The County are some of the friendliest, most genuine, and most welcoming people we’ve met. We’re now 4 years in living here in Caribou and we’d take these extra-long winters any day to live in this community that offers as much love as we’ve experienced here.
Our Mission and Values
At Pioneer Broadband, our mission is to connect communities with reliable, high-speed fiber broadband, and our employees embody that mission every day. Whether it’s a lineman braving harsh weather to complete a rural buildout, a customer service rep who knows our customers by name, or a network engineer innovating behind the scenes, our team consistently goes above and beyond.
Our values—integrity, accountability, local commitment, and excellence—are visible in the pride our employees take in their work and the trust they build with the communities we serve.
Our Company Culture
Our culture is grounded in purpose, community, and innovation. We are deeply mission-driven—bringing world-class broadband to rural Maine—and that sense of purpose resonates with our team. Our employees know their work makes a tangible difference in people’s lives. We foster a collaborative environment where input is valued regardless of title, and we invest in workforce development through hands-on training, apprenticeship programs, and career growth opportunities. That combination of mission alignment, respect, and professional investment is what helps us attract and retain top-tier talent, even in a competitive labor market.
Living and Doing Business in Aroostook County
The County has exceeded our expectations in both quality of life and the opportunity to build something meaningful. There is a strong sense of community here, and people genuinely support one another. That same spirit extends to business—our partnerships with local municipalities, tribal governments, and small towns have been instrumental in our growth. The work ethic, reliability, and resourcefulness of the local workforce have also made it possible for us to scale while staying rooted in the place we call home.
My name is Jeff Maguire, and I am the inventor and proud owner of the Mundbora Bag Shield—a patented personal protection device cleverly disguised as a backpack or computer bag. The name Mundbora means “protector” or “guardian” in Old English, reflecting my mission to help everyday individuals protect themselves in an increasingly uncertain world.
With over 20 years of experience as a Personal Protection Specialist for royalty, dignitaries, and celebrities—and a background as a combat veteran, private investigator, black belt instructor, NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor, and EMT—I saw a critical need for accessible protection for all. Not everyone can afford a bodyguard, but anyone can carry a Mundbora bag.
Each bag is thoughtfully designed in Aroostook County—many handcrafted by the Amish in a local farmhouse, using no electricity. We recently opened a retail space at 83 Main Street in Houlton, and I envision establishing a manufacturing and shipping facility right here in the County to create jobs and promote local craftsmanship.
At Mundbora Inc, our mission includes equipping every school in Maine with body shields to help ensure children’s safety—because I believe that should be every community leader’s top priority.
I hope my journey inspires others to prioritize personal safety, embrace entrepreneurship, and recognize all that Aroostook County has to offer as a place to live, work, and grow.
Hello! Our names are Candy Whitmore-Edgecomb and Chris Edgecomb. We proudly own and operate Whitmore & Edgecomb Family Farms, a hay, grain, and produce farm. Our two children, Natalie and Colten, help with the farm’s day-to-day needs and sprinkle their own personalities wherever they go.
Whitmore & Edgecomb Family Farm was created in 2019, when we found a deficit in the industry. We found that there was a lack of forage options and a lack of educational opportunities for at-home produce growers in the County. Our business idea came from our mutual love for the outdoors partnered with Chris’ farming background. The idea to be a diversified business came from long conversations about what the County was missing and how we could contribute positively to not only our own lives but to the lives of others.
Starting a new business was both exciting and challenging at the same time. There are many, many things that must be carefully planned out and executed while creating a business from scratch. While building our business there have been many late nights and long weekends spent in the field, shop, and in the office. Sacrifices are many in the beginning, and sometimes can weigh heavy. The reward, however, far outweighs the sacrifice. Watching everything you have put your blood, sweat and tears into flourish, is the best feeling. Watching and working beside our children while they grow and learn how to care for the land and their community. Watching visitors smile and laugh (or scream in fear), seeing them make memories with their family and friends, that is the reward.
Living and doing business in Aroostook County has been a joyous experience. The natural beauty that surrounds us gives us new inspiration every day. The outpouring support from our community has far exceeded our expectations. From our haunted woods walk that is now in its 3rd year, to our 6th annual W.E. Fest, our first Dino Fest and more! Aroostook County truly is the place to be.
TEMPO Employment Services was founded 40 years ago to meet a community need — connecting local employers with qualified job seekers and making the hiring process easier for everyone. Over the decades, as Aroostook County’s workforce needs have shifted, TEMPO has evolved right along with them, always focused on helping people find meaningful work and helping businesses thrive.
TEMPO Employment Services has been helping Aroostook County employers and job seekers connect for over four decades. While staffing is at the heart of what we do, our work goes far beyond short-term placements. Most often, we’re helping employers find dedicated, full-time employees who can grow with their organization — and helping job seekers find long-term opportunities where they can build their future.
We see ourselves as one important piece of a much larger puzzle. By working closely with local businesses, schools, workforce partners, and community organizations, TEMPO helps strengthen the entire employment landscape of Aroostook County. Every business and every job seeker is different, so our approach is always customizable — designed to meet the evolving and emerging needs of our community. Employment is such a critical piece of a healthy community, and having the ability to respond to those needs feels both humbling and energizing.
At our core, we’re proud to make the hiring process easier and stronger for everyone involved, and to play a role in building a more resilient local economy.
On the employer side, our role is often like an extension of their HR team — whether they hire just a few people a year or dozens, we bring expertise in recruiting and screening so they can stay focused on running their business. Hiring is what we do every day, and our decades of experience help strengthen the local economy.
While TEMPO itself is far from new — celebrating 40 Years in 2025 — for me personally, I had been a TEMPO employee for years before I had the opportunity to purchase the business. I believed deeply in the mission and the impact TEMPO has on this community, so when the chance came to carry that vision forward, I knew it was the right step. Stepping into ownership was, in many ways, like starting a new chapter of the business. As a new business owner, it was both an incredible opportunity and a real challenge. However, I was fortunate to inherit an organization with a strong foundation, which gave me the ability to put my own stamp on TEMPO. With years of staffing experience and a clear vision for the future, I could evolve the business alongside the community — rethinking how we work with partners, strengthening how we support employers, and always looking for ways to do things better.
Owning TEMPO has been both a dream come true and a responsibility I take very seriously. It’s been deeply rewarding to lead a company with such strong roots and to carry its mission forward into the future I’m proud to continue the work TEMPO started four decades ago, building on that legacy and adapting to meet the future needs of Aroostook County.
Aroostook County is my home — it’s where I grew up, was educated, built my career, and rooted my family. To now own a business here and make a difference in the same community that shaped me is incredibly meaningful.
What has exceeded my expectations is the impact TEMPO can have on people’s lives. For job seekers, it’s not just about finding a position — sometimes it’s about helping someone turn a corner, gain confidence, or land the job that changes everything for them and their family. To run into someone five, ten, even twenty years later who says, “TEMPO helped me get started,” is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.
The same is true on the employer side. Local businesses are the backbone of Aroostook County, and many struggle to find the right candidates. Being able to step in, provide expertise, and quickly connect them with people who fit not just for today but for the long term is incredibly fulfilling. Many employers come back to us again and again because they trust the results.
We’ve built a strong pipeline of candidates through our robust database and multifaceted outreach, and we work closely with schools, colleges, universities, and workforce partners to strengthen our region’s talent pool. Living and doing business here has given me the opportunity to see firsthand how employment supports the entire fabric of our community — and being part of that impact is more rewarding than I could have imagined.
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Guidebook
Discover what makes Aroostook a great place to live, work, and play in our informative 60-page relocation guide.
