5 Qs with Patrick Breeding
Founder of Dermarus
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1. Y
ou studied biomedical engineering at UMaine because you were determined to use your career to increase people’s quality of life. What does “quality of life” mean to you?
[Patrick Breeding]:
Quality of life is a blanket term I use as a guiding north star to drive what I, and our businesses, consistently move towards. Through the experience of helping my Dad through his final battle with stage 4 cancer, I saw what quality of life truly meant. From helping a person feel better, move better, think healthier..
simply allowing them to have a better human experience is what motivates us
.
With our skincare brand Marin, we've created a product that soothes and hydrates skin, while providing a rich, creamy indulgent texture to feel like you're actually treating yourself - it's that blend of the physical and emotional that makes people feel.. good!
2.
How did you make the jump from engineering and research to commercialization and entrepreneurship?
[PB]:
Funny enough, I find the ability to control your reality incredibly energizing. To think that there are unaddressed problems in the world, and you have the power to tackle them, is simple yet profound. In grad school, I quickly became sick of academic exercises and checking vanity boxes to fuel someone else's pointless agenda.
I wanted to do real things that actually helped the world
, that I could point to and tell you specifically why they are important. I've also found that I naturally move towards solving the most difficult and trying problems in front of me - which is why the immensely difficult entrepreneurial challenge of developing the self, balancing the ego and becoming the person capable of doing what you want to do (and while actually building traditional skills + tools to do so), is the most dynamic, difficult and exciting adventure. Once your eyes are open to this, you can't really go back.
3. As the Innovate for Maine Fellow at Lobster Unlimited, a startup which creates new uses for lobster byproducts, you tested lobster proteins for use in the cosmetic industry. Why did you decide to research the skin-healing properties of lobster?
[PB]: I was actually motivated to take this project on after I reviewed the vast amount of literature supporting anti-cancer properties of hemocyanin (the protein), and I thought it was unique and interesting that it came from lobster - this organism
has incredible abilities to fight off disease, heal wounds and regenerate its own limbs
.
4. Your research ultimately yielded Dermarus, a skincare company using lobster proteins to relieve the effects of dry, irritated skin from things like eczema. How did you identify this target market, and how are you reaching them?
[PB]:
Finding that there is a protein in lobster that can help hydrate and calm dry, irritated skin, was a mix of research, serendipity, and curiosity. My co-founder Amber and I were biomedical engineering grad students working at Lobster Unlimited. After some research findings, and some anecdotal evidence, we incorporated a protein found in lobsters into a skincare base.
Quite frankly, we used this to accidentally clear Amber's eczema
. It was incredible for her - she was finally able to wear cosmetic products again, didn't have to wear hoodies and hats to hide her face, and she could go out in the world without constantly thinking about her skin.
As we sent out more samples to friends and family,
things began to snowball
. When you get hand-written letters thanking you for helping someone find relief from a problem that has dictated so much of their life, and people asking how they can get more and when your product will be available, you can't not continue and you can't not catch fire.
5. You’ll be presenting a Tech Talk at Central Maine Tech Night on March 12. Can you give us a preview of what you’ll be discussing?
[PB]:
I plan to talk about the discovery of finding out that our 'marine glycoprotein' ingredient had incredible properties, the way we thought through bringing it into the world in the form of a product, and some of the vision and strategy for our company. I'd much prefer to talk less about myself and more in conversation with those who attend, so I look forward to an active and open-minded Q&A session!!
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Cybersecurity Safety at Home, Work, and Play
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Join experts from Thomas College, the state and federal government, and other leading technology companies to learn more about the increasing threat to your personal and professional data. Specialists in the field will help you identify and understand the fast-changing landscape of Cybersecurity and the role education plays in maintaining your overall safety.
March 12 | 1-5pm | Thomas College | Free |
Website
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CEI Launches Tech Startup Program for Women
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CEI's Women's Business Center is launching an 8-week program, Propeller, to help female entrepreneurs overcome their unique challenges in starting and growing a tech-based business. Interested entrepreneurs do not need any specific experience or expertise to participate.
March 25 - May 20 | Time TBD | Free |
Website
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Small Business K
now-How
What Your Online Presence Says About Your Business
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In this digitally connected world, your business is increasingly being
judged
by its online presence. Without an online presence, you may not even exist in your target markets. With a weak online presence, customers or prospects
may not trust you
. Businesses that know how to interact with their market online have a clear advantage.
Why investing in building a strong website pays off:
- Customers search for businesses online; without a website, you don't have a presence
- Your website provides a window into your business and what makes it unique
- Credibility and quality of your business can be judged by the appearance of your website
- Greater visibility, search engine ratings, new customer traffic, and increased visits from existing customers can improve business results
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Top Stories of February 2020
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Eater's Eleven Hottest Restaurants in Maine Right Now
- the only restaurant north of Portland/Damariscotta to make the list, Meridians Kitchen & Bar of Fairfield earns praise for its local sourcing, frequently-changing menu, and dishes including duck confit ramen, steak tacos, vegetable risotto, and striped sea bass.
Oakland Fire Dept. Settles Into New, $2.6 Million Station
- the 12,000 sq.ft. station, part of the 3-phase redevelopment of the Town police station, fire station, and town office, triples the amount of space of the former station and improves safety and efficiency. A public open house and dedication is scheduled for April 25th.
Colleges Invest So 'What's the Town Like?' Gets An Upbeat Answer
- in this New York Times profile, Colby College's investments in downtown Waterville - including the Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons, the redevelopment of 173 Main Street, the Lockwood Hotel, the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, and an arts collaborative - are given national exposure and attention.
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Central Maine Real Estate Spotlight
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Featured Commercial Property Location
:
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Building Size:
16,298 sq.ft.
Land Size:
5.6 acres
Sale Price:
$750,000
Property Features:
- 20 ft. ceilings
- 9 docks + 7 over-sized drive-in bays
- Office space
- Expansive paved parking
Context:
- Abuts Interstate-95 (Exit 130)
- Close proximity to Main St. (Rte. 104)
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Mid-Maine Tech Center Pre-Apprenticeships Open for 2020
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The
Mid-Maine Technical Center
(MMTC) Class of 2019 is currently employed at 33 local businesses; 27% of those employees were
hired as a result of a pre-apprenticeship
while enrolled at MMTC.
Clearly, these talented students have the skills, certifications, and the mindset to succeed in the workplace. You can access this eager talent pool and test their fit at your business via the MMTC pre-apprenticeship program.
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Available for courses in precision machining, culinary arts, electrical engineering, outdoor leadership, construction, healthcare, criminal justice, marketing & mass media, automotive technology, early childhood education, information technology, and emergency services, a pre-apprenticeship can be as flexible as your needs require.
There is no cost and no liability to your business
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Contact Elaine at CMGC ([email protected]) or Katie McLaughlin at MMTC (873-0102 ext. 160) for more details.
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We hope you enjoy learning about local talent recruitment and retention strategies, and if your business has an innovative strategy or unique culture, please share with us!
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Workforce Training & Professional Development:
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The need to lower heating bills and create quality jobs are statewide issues and Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) is moving forward to help address these challenges. KVCC offers heat pump training (Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump) and has recently doubled the number of program offerings and increased classroom capacity to meet the growing demand for heat pump technicians. KVCC offers the following courses to support energy services:
- Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump – This 40-hour course will provide professionals with the basics of refrigerant cycle theory and explain how the cycle produces heating and cooling. Other topics covered in the course include: basic electrical theory, control theory, mechanical operation of system components, and safe work practices involved in the installation of these units. Students will experience a hands-on lab component involving the installation and troubleshooting of these state-of-the-art mini-split heat pump systems. (EPA 608 required for heat pump installers). Class dates: March 9, 2020 – March 13, 2020; ($995.00)
- EPA 608 Refrigerant Certification, Small Appliances (Self-Study) - This course is designed to prepare technicians for the EPA 608 certification exam: 1) Core Certification (general knowledge of refrigerants), and 2) Type 1 (repair and service of small appliances using refrigerant). It is not intended to be formal refrigeration training course. Technicians who take this course should be familiar with basic vapor – compression refrigeration cycle and common service equipment and procedures. Class date: March 14, 2020; ($195.00)
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Meet the Millennials: Ryan & Candice Flaherty, Waterville Brewing Co.
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For ten years, Ryan Flaherty brewed beer at his Winslow home to share with family and friends. After purchasing industrial brewing equipment that was sitting unused in their garage, Ryan and wife Candice pursued the “pipe dream” of opening their own brewery, Waterville Brewing Co., the city's first.
The brewery they built adds to Waterville’s growing culinary diversity, which the Flahertys see as a big draw for tourists and residents. "Everyone likes small town feel – the city has that and still has a great restaurant scene and variety," explains Candice. "We have these attractions without the traffic of a bigger city, where you have no idea who’s next to you. This is our forever home, and we love the school system."
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MaineGeneral Launches "Save My Spot"
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When you need same-day, non-emergency care, you want convenience as well as expert, compassionate service.
Now you can
see current wait times
at MaineGeneral Express Care and
save your spot in line
before you arrive.
This service is available at all three MaineGeneral Express Care locations: Waterville, Augusta and Gardiner.
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Stay connected with CMGC:
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If you are an investor in CMGC and would like to submit content to
CMGC Intelligence
, simply reply to this e-mail to speak with Elaine Theriault-Currier.
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Board of Directors:
Chris Gaunce, chair – Central Maine Motors Auto Group
Michael Heavener, vice chair – Town of Winslow
Beth Gibbs, treasurer – Thomas College
Lucille Zelenkewich, secretary – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
John Dalton, past chair – Northern Light Health - Inland Hospital
Elizabeth Fortin – Kennebec Valley Community College
Paul Stein – MaineGeneral Health
Darlene Ratte – Best Western Plus
Michael Roy – City of Waterville
Gary Bowman – Town of Oakland
Michelle Flewelling – Town of Fairfield
Brian Clark – Colby College
Michael Runser – Valley Beverage
Allan Rancourt – Kennebec Federal Savings
Lisa Hallee – Bill & Joan Alfond Foundation
Donald Plourde – Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate
Tom Meucci - Huhtamaki
Ex-Officio Board Members:
Laura Cyr – Kennebec Valley Council of Governments
Christian Savage - Somerset Economic Development Corporation
James Dinkle – Kennebec Regional Dev. Authority / FirstPark
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