Staff Writer
MAPLETON – Common sense solutions at a New England value is what Washburn’s Craig Sjoberg’s new business, Maine Business Associates, Inc., offers customers.
After the financial institution he was working for downsized at the beginning of the year, Sjoberg began thinking about opening his own business.
“That gave me some time to think about what kind of direction I wanted to go in,” said Sjoberg, who has over 25 years of experience in the banking industry. “Pursuing a small business of my own was something I had thought about and I figured the timing was right to give it a shot.
“I was thinking of what I could do with my skill set and education,” he said, “and creating this business will allow me to utilize my skills to help other businesses. As the name of the business implies, I want to cover the state of Maine. I certainly want to help the businesses in Aroostook County foremost, but I see stretching into central and southern Maine. Over the years, I’ve built up some networking with other bankers and have had some discussions as far as doing some work in the future.”
Maine Business Associates, Inc. is a business and technology consulting firm. The services Sjoberg can provide include accounts payable and receivable management, billing, bookkeeping, budgeting/forecasting, computer training, employee coaching, network design and implementation, PC repair, research, and teaching, training and speaking.
“I provide both business and technology consulting,” Sjoberg said. “For example, if a bank has a new service they want to promote, normally banks will either grow the project internally or they outsource that service. The employees who have to get involved in a new project often have their day-to-day routines and this is one more thing on top of their to-do list.
“I would come in and help coordinate those efforts for implementing a project,” he said. “Or maybe it’s a computer that simply needs repair. One of my clients right now has multiple computer systems and a central accounting package, and there’s been difficulty in getting the computer systems to work fairly seamlessly with the accounting system, so I’ve been engaged in helping make those integrations work properly.”
Sjoberg said it’s that variety that makes coming to work every day worthwhile.
“That’s something that I enjoy versus the rote day-in, day-out … the challenges of variety not only in the projects themselves, but the personalities you deal with, too,” he said.
At the moment, Sjoberg is the only employee, although he has outside resources he relies on.
“For instance, I can do computer programming, but I also have additional computer programmers who freelance that have said, ‘If you need some help, we can help with that,’” he said. “I also have some networking individuals who will help me address human resource issues, as well. I have a variety of resources available to me, but I am the head and horns of the organization.”
Business has been steady in the few months Sjoberg has been open.
“Being a new business, I’m seeking new clients,” he said, “but between getting the business started and my current clientele, things have been steady. Most of my clients are in Presque Isle, and I’m looking at possibly a Main Street office in 2008.
“I’m optimistic in going forward and making contacts both locally and throughout the state,” said Sjoberg, “and seeing what develops. I’d like to see it take root, and eventually grow the staff to get some part-time and full-time people on board.”
Sjoberg said he enjoys being his own boss.
“Certainly trying to keep the client as king, you inherit some additional bosses to a degree,” he said, “however, there is some flexibility in the schedule which is something I appreciate. Being able to meet different business leaders, and finding out what challenges they face, is enjoyable. I like being outside of the four walls of an office.”
Recognizing that some business owners might be afraid to admit they need help, Sjoberg said there’s nothing wrong with receiving an “outside perspective.”
“What’s the harm in getting an objective perspective?” he said. “Sometimes people have the idea that, ‘We’ve done it this way for so long and it’s worked, so why change?’ But with the competition that’s out there, if a business isn’t looking to improve, it’s a matter of time before they end up closing.”
With an office at 649 State Road, potential clients can contact Sjoberg at 551-3837 or by e-mail at craig@mainebusinessassociates.com. Though often doing on-site consulting, Maine Business Associates, Inc. is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
CRAIG SJOBERG of Washburn recently opened Maine Business Associates, Inc., a business and technology consulting firm. Among the services Sjoberg can provide include accounts payable and receivable management, billing, bookkeeping, budgeting/forecasting, computer training, employee coaching, network design and implementation, PC repair, research, and teaching, training and speaking. Sjoberg said his goal is to provide common sense business solutions at a New England value.
