Business Spotlight: Jordan Bay Dog Daycare by Michelle Libby

Many people consider their pets as family. Leaving a pet home alone while the owner is at work, makes them lonely and sad. The best alternative to a day of napping at home is to take him or her to Jordan Bay Dog Daycare in Raymond, just past the turn-off for Route 85, on the way to Bridgton.  

Owner Chris Jordan is a certified dog trainer, who has worked with all breeds and temperaments. “I worked at a dog daycare and thought we’d start doing it on our own,” said Chris. Jordan Bay Dog Daycare opened a year ago and they have been filling a need in the area ever since. 

“The need is here. A lot of places can be full,” said Chris’s mother Nancy Jordan, who works in the day care most days. 

The space is broken up into two indoor rooms and a 4,000-square foot outside play area that is made of astro turf so dogs don’t become dirty and don’t dig. 

The play area has ramps, tables, tires, obstacles, and plenty of toys to keep them stimulated both mentally and physically. Each night the center is cleaned from top to bottom. 

“We are always with them,” said Nancy. The staff can give medication if needed and food can be brought in for lunch, but it is not provided. Nancy, Chris and Kayleigh Jordan, who also works at the daycare, are all pet CPR certified.  

Jordan Bay will also take in dogs that have been kicked out of other dog daycare centers often giving them more chances and individual training by Chris. “Every dog you learn something new from,” said Chris. “It’s different every day.”

“We don’t put the dogs in crates unless the owners ask us to,” said Kayleigh. “We put a lot of effort into this place. We care about the dogs.”  

While at daycare, the dogs work on socialization as well as basic commands like sit, stay and wait. “We focus on socialization. It’s a safe environment,” said Chris. There is no minimum age for the dogs, but they must have had all the required vaccines and must be spayed or neutered. 

Clients bring their dogs from Sebago, Portland and surrounding areas, but mostly from Windham and Raymond. They also have a lot of vacationers drop off their dogs for the day. 

The daycare accepts dogs on a drop-in basis if the dogs are brought between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. The mornings are busy and bringing in dogs after 10 a.m. can disrupt the balance the dogs have achieved between each other. The dogs that have already arrived are beginning to settle in and the new dog is excited to be there, causing a possible disturbance. 

On average, the daycare has 18 dogs each day but can house up to 25 dogs per day safely. During the summer months the daycare fills up faster in which case calling ahead to schedule the days you want is never a bad idea. They do not do overnight care.

There is a full day price and a half day price. The prices are less than Portland daycares, said Nancy. They also offer a 10 percent Veteran and senior citizen discount.

Owner Chris, his girlfriend Kayley and one of the many dogs they love

“The dogs go home really tired. Some don’t want to go. We’ve had owners drag some dogs out,” said Kayleigh. The daycare is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are not open on weekends. Someone is with the dogs all day and most of the time there are two people with the dogs. 

Jordan Bay Dog Daycare hopes to offer grooming services soon for their regular clients and possibly others, including baths and nail clipping. Chris also has plans to offer training classes for puppies in January. The daycare expects to be hiring part-time help in the near future. They also are adding cameras, so owners can watch their dogs enjoying themselves at daycare. 

“We do post a lot of photos and videos on Facebook,” said Chris. 

For more information on Jordan Bay Dog Daycare, visit them on Facebook or call 207-655-6520.

Business Spotlight: Natural Beauty Day Spa by Michelle Libby

Sisters Ashley and Chrissie Fitzpatrick care about pampering and getting to know their clients at Natural Beauty Day Spa, 1004 River Road in Windham. They opened their door two weeks ago, but will have their grand opening on Friday, November 3. The spa offers nail services, facials, waxing, makeup application and massage. 
 

Chrissie does facials, waxing and makeup application. “I specialize in the perfect eyebrow,” she said. She has five years of experience waxing eyebrows. “I love the strategy of it. I find the right shape for everyone’s face. People just get so excited.” 

Ashley is the nail technician. She moved from interior decorating, to decorating cakes in a bakery, then to her work as a nail tech. “It was time. I wanted to have more of a relaxed environment,” she said. 

“It’s calm and comfortable,” added Chrissie, who is a graduate of Capilo’s in Augusta.

“You use your hands and feet every day. Most see this as a treat, but it’s keeping them healthy. They get so neglected,” said Ashley about manicures and pedicures. Ashley uses a variety of polishes, but her favorite is Zoya, which is free of 10 different chemicals typically found in nail polish. She offers a variety of nail art designs. There is also a color-changing shellac which changes with the temperature. Clients can partake in a paraffin-alternative hand dip called Eco-fin, that is made of soy, coconut oil and other natural ingredients. Natural Beauty Day Spa does not offer acrylic nails. 

Sisters Ashley and Chrissie Fitzpatrick

Nail services are great for men, too. “All guys fight it for a long time, but they really love it,” said Chrissie. For men, it’s more about the massage than the nail care. Each nail treatment comes with a massage, which is great for people who suffer from the pain of repetitive motion. 

“Ashley is super sanitary. She’s the cleanest nail tech I’ve ever seen,” said Chrissie. She uses tub liners for the pedicures and uses stick on files rather than plastic ones that can’t be sanitized. 

“I love my clients. I have the best ones,” said Chrissie. Clients have followed them from the surrounding areas. Some are from Windham, Portland Cumberland and even as far away as Biddeford. 

“Eyebrows, as with nails, you see clients every few weeks. You get to know the whole family and develop a relationship,” said Chrissie. 

Chrissie uses a skin care line called Bioelements, which is all natural and results oriented. “It took a long time to pick a line (for the spa),” she said. She customizes a moisturizer and helps clients with what they want for their skin. “Picking skin care can be really confusing. It’s so awesome when you wake up and your skin looks nice. You feel empowered,” Chrissie said. “It sounds superficial, but it’s a nice way to start the day. People notice that something is different.”

The makeup is for fun. Chrissie can put together a night-on-the-town look or create a special look for a special event like a wedding. “I connect with people really well. I can make them look like themselves only more beautiful,” she said. 

Facials and massages are held in a private room. Massages are done by Briana Henes and she offers a menu of services including polarity. 

The sisters chose Windham for their business because it was a good central location. “There’s a lot going on in Windham. It’s my go to town,” Ashley said.

Most services are by appointment, but walk ins are welcome from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Find more information or request an appointment on Facebook, by phone at 207-809-8185 or at www.naturalbeautydayspa.org. Watch Facebook for special offers.

Three common investment myths. Courtesy of Edward Jones in Windham

Myths and assumptions can be detrimental to your success in all areas of life – including achieving your financial goals. When it comes to investing, it's vital to separate fact from fiction. Here are three common myths you'll want to erase right from the start.

1. Saving is investing.

If you’re putting money aside in a low, fixed interest rate savings or money market account, this isn’t investing. This can offer a cushion for emergencies and unexpected spending needs, but it’s only one piece of a financial strategy. 

Investing is using your money to potentially create more money over a period of time.

Some people may shy away from investing, thinking it's too risky. Although investing does come with risks, not investing can also be a risk to your financial future. If your money doesn't grow, you may face the risk of not achieving your long-term goals – like sending a child to college or retiring from your job.

The following graph illustrates the potential difference between saving and investing. It shows how the same contributions over the same amount of time can grow to a much larger amount when earning a higher return.

Source: Edward Jones. Assumes saving $550 per month rounded to the nearest $5,000. Example is for illustration purposes only and does not reflect the performance of a specific investment.

This example shows that the difference between a 3% and 7% return could be nearly $600,000. 

Investing takes some homework. That’s why many investors seek professional guidance.

1. You should buy and sell often.

Being patient can be difficult. But trust us on this: Jumping on the bandwagon of the latest investment fad and selling every time the market drops probably won’t get you to your goals.

We believe in quality investments, not fads. We believe a financial strategy should be created for market ups and downs. And when the markets are volatile, Edward Jones can help you put these events into perspective.

2. You’re too young or too old.

The sooner, the better – but it's never too late. Obviously, starting early is a good idea, because your money has more time to grow. But it’s really never too late to start investing.

In fact, if you’re over age 50, you may be eligible to make catch-up contributions to an Individual Retirement Account or 401(k). And, if you're closer to retirement age, you’ll want a financial strategy to help ensure your money lasts. Lastly, when the time comes, all of us should plan for where our money will go when we’re gone.

Business Spotlight on McDevitt Electric by Michelle Libby

With over 20 years of experience, Shaun McDevitt decided to go out on his own to open McDevitt Electric two years ago. Based in Portland, McDevitt, a master electrician, can handle all electrical work, both residential and commercial.
 

“I can do outlet changes to panel changes and everything in between,” said McDevitt. He does the

electrical work on remodels, new construction and offers service, like fixing an outlet or putting in new recessed lighting.

“I like service. It’s taking care of business and I can do many calls a day.” Service calls are where the majority of his experience comes from. He ran an electrical service van for 15 years, traveling all over the area to fix issues. He enjoys the trouble shooting aspect of finding what the problem is and fixing it, he said. 

He has worked for three different companies in the last 22 years. “I had a lot of longevity. The longer you work for someone, the more tired you get of making money for someone else,” McDevitt said.

McDevitt Electric has competitive prices for the quality work he offers. He sees customers within an hour of Portland, which is roughly an area from Augusta to Wells. 

He has been involved with big projects like the Family Dollar stores in Standish and Naples and work at Aubuchon Hardware in Windham. “I’ve done it all in commercial,” he said. 

McDevitt first started learning electrical work through the vocational program in Portland while in high school. After he graduated, he moved to Florida, which required more electrical training to be able to work there. Maine requires 546 hours of class time to get a license and McDevitt has 1,100 hours of initial training, plus he does continuing education hours every year and is re-certified every three years. 

When he was a kid, his dad was a jack of all trades, working on buildings in the Old Port. His dad told him “to be a master of something.” That stuck with McDevitt as he strived to become a master electrician. 

He works by himself primarily, but has some key people he brings along on larger jobs like new construction and remodels. “I juggle it all, but service is a priority,” McDevitt said. He is booking a little over two weeks out for small jobs like recessed can lighting, but can be reached most days for emergencies and quick jobs. He is honest and fair with billing for his time, not nickel and diming his customers. 

He believes in safety. Faulty wiring is a leading cause of residential fires. Many homeowners, particularly those who live in older homes, might be living in properties that have outdated electrical systems. All electrical panels should be inspected annually, according to McDevitt. “Your vehicle is inspected annually and your electrical panel runs 24/7. Loose wires can cause sparks,” he said. “Preventative maintenance can catch something before it happens.” 

Some homeowners may discover potential trouble while making renovations that require opening up walls or tearing them down, exposing the wires. Still other homeowners learn about electrical systems when they’re adding new, large appliances or other gadgets that consume more power than existing items. These devices may continually cause power outages in the house, such as tripping the circuit breaker or popping a fuse. When it comes time to update your electrical system, remember that it is not a do-it-yourself job. Hiring a licensed electrician is vital for proper safety.

McDevitt Electric can also wire hot tubs, generators and wall mounted televisions. “I’m good at it and good with people,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot.” 

For more information on McDevitt Electric, call or text 207-747-9586. His Facebook page is in the works and his website is coming soon: www.McDevittElectric.com. <