Business Spotlight: Blush & Brow

Permanent makeup service offered at Blush & Brow is designed with a simple goal of making people feel comfortable and to truly love their new look.

Samantha Clark is an expert at permanent and
event makeup services and fine line tattoos. 
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Located at 100 Tandberg Trail in Windham and owned and operated by Samantha Clark, Blush & Brow features an array of services ranging from microblading, powder brows, saline removal services, eyeliner, lip blushing, wedding or event makeup, and fine line tattoos. 

Permanent makeup involves applying pigments into the skin’s dermal layer to enhance features such as eyebrows, eyes and lips and is popular with people seeking low-maintenance beauty services.

Clark is a Certified Makeup Artist, Licensed Permanent Makeup Artist, and a Licensed Fine Line body tattoo artist. She’s also certified as a Permanent Makeup Removal Specialist and Trainer.

What distinguishes Blush & Brow from other companies is the experience that Clark creates for her clients.

“I know my permanent makeup services can be very nerve wracking to someone who has never had it done before and as well as tattoos,” she said. “I get a lot of first- time tattoo clients. I like to try and make the process comfortable, safe, and enjoyable. There are so many great artists around who do what I do but my work is distinguished by how natural and customized it looks. I don’t believe in the ‘one-size-fits-all’ type thing. All faces and brows are different, so I customize everyone’s permanent makeup that best suits their natural features. Fine line tattooing is a niche style that not many tattoo artists focus on. Fine line work requires a very steady hand, precision, and an artistic eye – combining that with permanent makeup training allows me to create delicate, detailed results that stand out.”

According to Clark, a common misconception about permanent makeup is that it’s just about beauty.

“It’s also about confidence,” she said. “We’re not just applying pigment, we’re helping people feel like their best selves every day. And or if you want to just combine both into one a misconception would also be that fine line tattooing and permanent makeup are ‘quick or easy’ to do. But behind every thin line or natural brow is hours of practice, lots of training, a steady hand and an eye for balance and detail.”

In business for five years, Clark got started in the beauty field about 14 years ago as a certified makeup artist.

“I would constantly hear my clients say they wish they had their brows microbladed and wish they could be fixed,” she said. “I had no idea what microblading was back then. I looked into it and it was so fascinating to me. When COVID happened, I lost all my weddings that year, which was a huge financial strain. I was then approached by a microblading artist asking if I would have any interest in doing an apprenticeship. I was so excited to dive into this and learn more, so I did. A year later Maine changed the rules and regulations so that any microblading artist had to go on to get their micropigmentation license to be able to continue working.

Because Maine had no classes or schools for that at the time, she attended the Massachusetts Academy of Beautiology and graduated before going on to pass the American Academy of Micropigmentation Boards, earning a certificate so that she could become licensed in Maine.

“Learning micropigmentation opened the doors for learning tattooing,” Clark said. “After two years of being a licensed micropigmentation permanent makeup artist my creative brain wanted to learn more about fine line tattooing because I have always loved the look of dainty and delicate tattoos and Maine doesn’t have a ton of fine line tattoo specialists. I took a fine line tattoo class for micropigmentation artists and spent six to eight months learning and just practicing non-stop until I felt confident to work on real skin. I’ve now been licensed as a body tattoo artist for three years now and it was the best decision I’ve made to add this into my services.”

Blush & Brow clients tell Clark they love her attention to detail, how cozy and welcoming her studio is, and how comfortable they feel when they’re there.

“I really put my whole heart in everything I do and am so grateful for my amazing clients,” she said. “My business is built on artistry, safety and trust and specializing in creating work that feels personal and unique and not about trends and cookie cutter results.”

To learn more about Blush & Brow services or for a free consultation, visit blush-brow.com/ or send an email to Blushandbrowpc@gmail.com. Find them on Facebook and Instragram under Blush & Brow. <

Business Spotlight: Orthopaedic Associates of Maine

The Name You Know. The Excellence You Trust.

Orthopaedic Associates of Maine (OAM) has proudly returned to its original name in 2025 – a return that reaffirms its commitment to the people of Maine. As the state’s largest independent, physician-led orthopaedics practice, OAM continues to deliver advanced, patient-centered care with deep community roots.

Physician-led Orthopaedic Associates of Maine offers 
full-service orthopaedic care including imaging, physical
and occupational therapy, and ambulatory surgery.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

OA of Maine is home to a team of board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians whose specialties include sports medicine, joint replacement, hand and upper extremity surgery, foot and ankle care, and physiatry. This depth of expertise allows the practice to treat even the most complex injuries and conditions. Because the practice is physician-led, the focus remains squarely on quality, patient experience, and clinical innovation. Patients can expect care that is both highly specialized and deeply personal.

In 2025, OA of Maine welcomed Dr. Zachary Abbott, a board-certified physiatrist specializing in non-surgical spine and musculoskeletal care. Dr. Abbott develops personalized, evidence-based treatment plans to help patients manage pain, recover from injury, and return to the activities that matter most. With expertise in advanced, non-invasive treatments such as spine injections, radiofrequency ablation, ultrasound-guided procedures, and regenerative therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), Dr. Abbott offers patients more options for relief without surgery. He is now seeing patients in OAM’s Portland and Brunswick offices.

What truly sets OA of Maine apart, however, is its surgical team. The practice’s orthopaedic surgeons are among the top in their fields – fellowship-trained experts who bring world-class skill and innovation directly to Maine. Patients no longer need to travel to Boston for expert orthopaedic care; the highest level of surgical and non-surgical treatment is available right here, close to home.

The physical therapy program at OA goes far beyond standard rehabilitation. Many therapists hold advanced certifications in dry needling, concussion management, and sport-specific assessments, including golf swing, throwing, and running mechanics. Therapists and physicians work hand in hand under one roof, ensuring seamless, coordinated care from diagnosis through recovery. This team-based model minimizes handoffs, strengthens communication, and helps patients return to activity with confidence.

For patients needing immediate care, OA of Maine offers the OrthoAccess Walk-In Clinic in Portland. Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the clinic provides same-day treatment for sprains, strains, minor fractures, dislocations, and other activity-related injuries. Unlike a traditional emergency room visit, patients at OrthoAccess are seen directly by orthopaedic specialists. The clinic also provides onsite casting and bracing, faster turnaround times, and lower costs, with follow-up care seamlessly arranged within OA of Maine if needed.

OA of Maine’s commitment extends far beyond the walls of its clinics. This summer, the team proudly sponsored and supported several community events across Maine, combining medical expertise with meaningful engagement. At Tri for a Cure, Maine’s largest all-women’s triathlon, OA of Maine staffed the on-site medical tent, ensuring athletes had expert support throughout the event. More than 1,000 women participated, raising $2.2 million for the Maine Cancer Foundation. During the Yarmouth Clam Festival Bike Race, OA of Maine served as the official medical sponsor. Fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon Dr. Thomas Murray was on site as event doctor, ensuring riders had immediate access to medical support. The practice also participated in the Westbrook Strong 5K, an event honoring the memory of Matthew Rairdon. Laurie and Gary Rairdon founded the road race in 2013 after their son, Matthew, was killed by his ex-partner in what investigators determined was domestic violence. Employees ran and walked in support of the scholarship fund established in his name, which benefits future healthcare professionals.

For OA of Maine, these events are about more than sponsorship – they are about showing up, supporting neighbors, and reinforcing the belief that health and community go hand in hand. With offices in Portland, Brunswick, and Windham, OA of Maine offers full-service orthopaedic care, including imaging, physical and occupational therapy, and ambulatory surgery. The practice also provides 24/7 emergency coverage at local hospitals, ensuring patients have access to expert care whenever it’s needed. From diagnosis to recovery, OA of Maine is built to help patients move forward with confidence, compassion, and clinical excellence.

Orthopaedic Associates of Maine: Helping you get back to what you love.

For more information or to make an appointment visit orthoassociates.com or call 207-828-2100. <

Business Spotlight: J. Priest Insurance

With much of our daily lives connected by electronic devices and gadgets these days, the sudden loss of one often unleashes a desperate search to replace it and restore lost data found on it. Your homeowners or personal property insurance coverage may cover these items if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen in an event covered by your policy, however personal property coverage often doesn’t cover the sort of losses covered by a new type of electronic device protection offered by Farmers Insurance through J. Priest Insurance of Windham.

A new type of electronic device protection is now available
at an affordable cost through J. Priest Insurance of Windham.
It covers laptops, smart phones, gaming systems, smart
televisions, Roombas, tablets, routers, computers and more and
goes beyond the standard electronics warranty for damage,
loss or theft.  COURTESY  PHOTO  

No matter if it’s a laptop, smart phone, smart television, a computer printer, or a Roomba vacuum, this new coverage goes above and beyond the standard electronics warranty for damage, loss or theft. It covers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi speakers; DVD/Blu-ray players; Printers/scanners; External hard drives; Gaming consoles; Handheld gaming devices; Home theater systems; Personal computers (Windows 8 or newer, Apple OS X 10 or newer); Pro/elite gaming controllers; Robot vacuums; Smart home devices; Standalone routers; Streaming devices; Tablets (Android 1.6 or newer, Apple OS X 10 or newer); Televisions (LED and LCD only); and Virtual reality headsets.

Three types of protection are available including Total Device Protection for both mobile and home devices and adds coverage for loss and theft of eligible home devices; Mobile Device Protection covering up to four mobile phones in your household with phones covered for accidental damage, mechanical/electrical malfunctions, screen breakage and loss/theft; and Home Device Protection for most smart home devices covering accidental damage, mechanical/electrical malfunctions and screen breakage.

“The cost for this protection is very reasonable,” said Jonathan Priest of J. Priest Insurance. “It provides complete smart device protection for everything from tablets to Roombas to up to four smart phones for $35 a month. It even covers comprehensive screen replacements or lightning strikes, all for a small deductible and much more cost effective than through your homeowner’s policy. There’s a lot of upside to this and not a lot of downside.”

Located at 57 Tandberg Trail R2, across the parking lot from Rustler's Steakhouse in the former Spectrum location, J. Priest Insurance provides all insurance services except health insurance.

“We offer auto, home, umbrella, life (individual and group), business, pet, disability, final expense, professional liability, financial planning, retirement planning and estate and wealth management insurance,” Priest said. “What sets me apart is my desire to educate clients and potential clients about the coverages afforded by their policies and how not all policies are the same. I'd rather be up-front about having a more expensive policy and tell someone they have a great policy and a competitive rate with their current company than try to hard-sell them on my product. Folks really appreciate that.”

He says Farmers, where he places most of his customers, is extremely competitive for people with multiple cars, accident-free records and few violations.

“The auto policies I can offer through Farmers are very comprehensive and can include pet coverage if they're injured in an accident; coverage for bikes and bike racks; skis and ski racks; electronic key replacement and more,” Priest said. “The home policies can offer ‘comprehensive; loss coverage, protecting against almost all types of losses except Flood, Earth Movement or things that happen over a longer period of time, like rotting or insect infestation.”

Priest started with MetLife Auto & Home in March 2018, and it was acquired by Farmers in 2021. He was previously a licensed sales and service "producer" with State Farm for about eight years, and then with Allstate for almost four years before being offered the MetLife agency opportunity.

“I was working as the Head Teller in a Key Bank when I was asked to come apply for a position at a State Farm agency,” he said. “My first day on the job, I was the only one in the office and my agent forgot to tell me about the alarm. I looked out the window and there were several police cars in the parking lot with their blue lights on. From the squad car speakers I heard, ‘Do you have keys to that office?’ I held them up to show them, and they drove away. The rest is history.”

For Priest, educating his clients is why he’s in business.

“It’s why my logo has a lighthouse, which is a symbol of enlightenment,” he said. “If someone doesn't have all the information they need to choose the right insurance coverage, they are being done a disservice. This could lead to a claim not being covered, and no one wants that.”

To learn more about electronic device protection or other insurance options through J. Priest Insurance, call or text 207-893-8184 or visit www.jonathanpriest.com. Find them on Facebook under J Priest Insurance Inc. <