Business Spotlight: 207 Landscaping & Tree Service

Caring for lawns, gardens and trees is almost second nature for Cel Chinchilla, a second generation-arborist and landscaper who owns and operates 207 Landscaping & Tree Service, based in Gorham and serving all the Lakes Region of Maine.

207 Landscaping & Tree Service can safely and efficiently
remove troublesome trees from properties in an affordable
manner. The company also offers an array of landscaping
and snow removal services. COURTESY PHOTO

207 Landscaping & Tree Service provides prompt, responsive, professional and affordable landscaping and tree care. The reputable and trustworthy company offers a wide range of locally sourced materials to meet your landscaping, gardening, tree removal, and heating needs.

“We stand behind our business and operate it with integrity, respect, and ensure that safety and quality will always be met,” Chinchilla said. “We can advise on tree health and maintenance, tree removal and perform stump grinding.”

In the landscaping and tree removal business for more than 10 ten years, 207 Landscaping & Tree Service is proud of its reputation for professionalism and excellence.

“Our business is dedicated to the safety of our workers and our timely production of work, always giving personal attention and quality service to our customers,” Chinchilla said. “We pride ourselves on our creativity and our attention to detail. Our long-standing commitment to customer service and our family-oriented values help provide a level of superior dedication to the customers.”

In the spring, summer and fall, 207 Landscaping & Tree Service can take exceptional care of your yard so that you don’t have to worry about yard work. Services offered by the company include seasonal cleanups; mulch bed installation; brush and wood removal; curbside brush removal; lawn installations; hedge trimming; tree and shrub planting and removal; installations of vegetable and flower beds; pruning; sod installations; brush hogging; and commercial mowing.

Products offered by 207 Landscaping & Tree Service can assist in meeting every landscaping, gardening, and heating need, with firewood and mulch deliveries available.

“Our green firewood and seasoned firewood are sustainably harvested, ensuring a reliable and eco-friendly source of heat for your home,” Chinchilla said. “For landscaping projects, we provide raw woodchips, perfect for mulching and soil protection, as well as 3/4 crushed stone for durable and aesthetically pleasing driveways, paths, or foundations. Gardeners will appreciate our nutrient-rich loam and veggie soil, ideal for growing healthy vegetables and vibrant plants. By choosing our materials, you are supporting local resources and ensuring top-quality products for your outdoor project.”

They can help with light excavation and construction services which are designed to enhance and maintain your property with precision and care. Some of the many services available are walkways; decks; crushed stone and concrete pad installations; and septic tank cover digging.

A variety of snow removal services for commercial, residential, condo and industrial properties are offered by 207 Landscaping & Tree Service that include plowing, shoveling, sanding and snow displacement off site and from parking lots.

Chinchilla is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture, a Certified Maine Arborist, a Master of Pesticides; has a First-class landscaping license and is a First-class Utility Arborist.

Because of its dedication to customers, 207 Landscaping & Tree Service has earned the second-highest Google rating in Maine for the services it provides, and reviews are outstanding.

“I have had 207 Landscaping help me with yard work (cutting my lawn, removing leaves, tree removal, stump grinding) for a number of years and I could not be happier with their work. Cel, the owner, is honest, a straight talker and most important, a thoughtful and caring man.” ~ Len G.

“Everything from the initial meeting with Cel (owner) at the beginning for an estimate, right up until the end of the job was smooth sailing. I highly recommend the 207 Landscaping Team for any of their services. The pricing is competitive, and you will not be disappointed with their service!" ~ Amy V.

“The team that arrived was incredibly efficient and so good at what they do. It was amazing to watch their teamwork. They took my beloved pine tree down, cleaned up, and even cut me a special keep-sake chunk of it (after I asked for it) for me to keep. Highly recommend them.” ~ Erica S.

“I have hired them a few times for storm related tree work, and regular yard clean up. Always punctual, they don’t leave until you are happy with the work. Licensed and insured, so no worries about doing tree work. Highly recommend.” ~ Joseph O.

207 Landscaping & Tree Service is located at 166 Narragansett St. in Gorham. Visit them online at 207landscaping.com/ or call 207-222-2932. Find them on Facebook. <

Business Spotlight: Vigor Strength Studio

Vigor Strength Studio is a raw and high energy strength and conditioning training studio at 39 Mechanic St. in downtown Westbrook that opened in 2021. Co-Owners Zachary Russell and Julian Despres both grew up in Southern Maine and found their passion for helping others with their health and wellness.

Julian Despres and Zachary Russell both grew up in
Southern Maine and co-own Vigor Strength Studio
in downtown Westbrook. They work with everyone
from beginners to adept exercisers and athletes.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Everyone exercising in the gym has an experienced and educated strength and conditioning coach by their side for every workout. The gym is open-concept and brings the efficiency of collegiate strength and conditioning workouts to the general population by mainly using free weights, your own body weight, resistance bands, and other unique strength training equipment.

“People that train at our gym are there to get things done the right way. Our clientele ranges from complete beginners to adept exercisers, and most of them simply want the general physical benefits of exercise and strength training; they are training to live long and healthy lives doing what they love,” says co-owner and coach Julian Despres.

Coaches are experts at modifying exercises depending on the individual, making them easier or more challenging. However, our exercise circuits work for most everyone, athletes and the general population alike.

Its gym puts a huge emphasis on moving in pain free, sustainable ways. We don’t just want your squat to look good, for example, we want it to feel good too! We teach proper movement (feeling the right muscles at the right times during exercises) so that you can train hard with no real pain and continue to get the results you’re after. We establish your initial goals before and during your first free session, and periodically after that we will need to set new ones.

Coaches design workouts as part of overarching programs that are created after meeting with you for the first time. Its young team has a combined training experience of over 30 years between them. They work next to each other every day and learn new ways to keep exercises feeling fresh and effective.

Vigor’s primary service is semi-private training sessions, where two to four people share their strength coach’s time. Each person has their own individual exercises to focus on specific to their goals. Think of the other few members in your session like your squad, they can help you in more ways than you’d think: from motivating you to keep going, to helping load your bar, to finding the kettlebell you need, or to spotting you through a set. Coaches like to keep people consistently working out with the same squad each week if schedules allow, building camaraderie and fostering productive energy. We do offer 1 on 1 training, but it is only at certain times when the gym is less busy.

Their strength and conditioning coaches also have experience training groups of athletes from high school level all the way to D1 college sports. Currently, coach Jaryd Penn works with Westbrook High baseball players, as well as a variety of hockey players from different training camps while co-owner and coach Zach Russell is working with the Windham High basketball team on its movement quality and mobility.

Coaches work hard to push your limits so that you get the most out of your sessions and to get your money’s-worth every single workout and stay safe while doing it. It starts with effective but brief warm up circuits to help address joint mobility issues, activate the muscles we aim to use, and raise the heart rate.

Once warmed up, they move into their primary exercises which are specific to each individual at Vigor. Everyone has different exercise focuses, postures, muscular strengths, and weaknesses that we work on. Coaches believe that training should be challenging and should stimulate mental growth as much as anything physical.

Coaches write exercises and notes down diligently, tracking the sets and repetitions closely so that we continue to push toward better and better performances, the longer you train with them the better they can dial it into what you need. Their gym is a melting pot of positive goals and productive physical activity. They are driven to build a stronger community, and they can’t wait to meet you!

To schedule your free first session with one of their great coaches, contact them by email at vigor.maine@gmail.com or call/ text them at 207-615-1990. You can also check them out on Facebook and Instagram. <

Business Spotlight: Monroe & Conley Financial Group

Accomplished financial services advisors Kevin Monroe and Zack Conley bring invaluable experience and an innovative mindset benefiting clients to the Monroe & Conley Financial Group.

Kevin Monroe, right, and Zack Conley,
second from left, are innovative and
independent financial services advisors.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

With locations in Raymond and Alfred, Monroe & Conley offer wealth management, retirement planning, legacy planning, life insurance and annuity products. They help advise their clients about disability and long-term care situations, along with giving recommendations regarding estate planning attorneys to work with as they believe this fits hand in hand with a solid financial future.

“The most significant aspect of our business is the relationship we have with our clients,” Conley said.

Monroe has been in business since 1992 and has many clients who have been with him since the start. Conley, 28, has been in business since 2016. They are accepting new clients and book by appointment only.

“It allows our clients to have continuity with their finances and they get the best of both worlds,” Monroe and Conley said. “They get an older more experienced advisor. Yet they also receive a younger advisor with a new perspective on business and the world of economics. Our clients also know that with this set up, God willing, they likely won’t have to hire another advisor as Zack has 30-plus years ahead of him.”

The most important thing that Monroe and Conley want their clients to know is that as independent advisors they act as a fiduciary, meaning they don’t have any products or services that they “have” to sell.

“We always say, ‘tell us your story’ and always start with a blank sheet of paper. This allows us to not have any agenda,” they said. “We believe that a true advisor should listen more than talk. As an independent firm we are not beholding to any one company. This allows us the ability to work with any company we deem fit for our clients. We truly ‘price out’ different companies and ‘shop’ what we feel is best for our clients. This allows us to make recommendations with nothing but our client in mind. Another important thing is that when you call our office you aren’t calling an 800 number. You get to know our staff and it creates a long-lasting relationship with not just our advisors, but with our awesome office staff.”

Both Monroe and Conley previously worked for a national firm for many years. Over the past few years, landscape began changing in the financial services industry and in September 2024 they decided to go fully independent and open Monroe & Conley Financial Group. They believe that this move was in the best interest of their clients, allowing them to continue to offer objective advice and service. When Monroe started his career in 1992, he was focused on the importance of life insurance. As the business evolved, he moved into the wealth management business which quickly took off. When Conley started in 2016, he and Monroe quickly connected, and now as an independent firm, they plan to continue to maintain exceptional service for their clients.

“We fell in love with the business due to our love for helping others,” they said. “We felt this was what we were called to do and since starting we've never looked back. We take each client and situation one at a time and slowly build respect and gain trust from our clients. Over the years, the products and services have evolved, yet our commitment to the people we serve has maintained the same. We treat others the way we want to be treated. We have always strived to put ourselves in our client’s shoes. With the knowledge we have compiled over the years, we look to do what they would do if it were their mom, dad, brother, sister or grandparents sitting across from them. This has created the family environment our clients have grown to love and enjoy.”

For the future, Monroe and Conley are excited to expand their team of advisors and office staff.

“The thought is that as the book of business continues to grow, we will find advisors who fit our culture and way of business,” they said. “This will allow us to ensure that each client gets the time and respect that they deserve as choosing a financial advisor is more than just a transaction, it is a decision that typically lasts for years and grows into a friendship. We are excited to find new advisors and if any advisors are interested in making the shift to be part of an independent firm or team, they are welcome to reach out.”

For further details about Monroe & Conley Financial Group, call 207-490-3495 or visit www.monroeconleyfg.com Find them on Facebook page under Monroe & Conley Financial Group.

Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors. Monroe & Conley Financial Group and Cambridge are not affiliated. <