How Small Businesses Survive & Thrive in Portland

By Aspen Willis-Howe, March 18th, 2026

John Naylor and Doug Howe have both been in charge of their own respective small businesses, Rosemont and East Coast Communications. They've been able to grow their own companies over the past years despite the challenges they faced.

Every business starts out small. Nearly half of small businesses don't get to see 5 years before they close down, according to the Commerce Institute. John Naylor is the president and treasurer of Rosemont, a market that sells locally grown produce among other things. Doug Howe is one of the founders of East Coast Communications, a telecommunications construction company that he and his partner Bill Jackson opened on September 11th, 2008. Both of these companies have managed to set themselves apart from the many that aren't able to keep themselves afloat. In fact, the two of them have been continuing to grow for the past 15 years. Although, that isn't to say things weren't rocky in the beginning.

Over the past 20 years, Rosemont's been able to expand to 6 different locations (not including their production facility) and employs nearly 180 people. East Coast Communications started out in a garage in 2008, after the 3 founders had been laid off from another company. Since then, they've grown to 35 employees, two buildings, and only customers are: AT&T, Version, and T-Mobile. “Finding the right location. Building relationships with suppliers, always looking for products that keep your customers interested,” a few challenges Naylor listed he dealt with at the beginning of his production. Similarly, Howe commented on how Maine specifically is a state that’s “not small business-friendly… taxes are high, energy costs are high.” He also says that because they have people climbing and building towers frequently, safety is something they have to be constantly concerned about. Since opening, they've been able to overcome most of these challenges. Naylor states, “it takes time, money, experience and help from friends, your bank and having good staff.” Doug emphasizes how important it is to “surround yourself with good people.”

Naylor is pleased to report that “60% of our sales are from local producers, so the money our customers spend does not go to some big company somewhere in the country, but stays right here and supports the local economy.” Despite the ups and downs of the business world, both men have been able to create something they take pride in running, they believe this makes the entire process worth it. It's “been a great ride,” Howe said. Howe's wife mentioned, “Since we've been married he'd always wanted to have his own business!”