StartUp Downeast
Increasing jobs and prosperity, strengthening economic security, and building a new generation of successful business owners in Washington County.
Empowering Individuals through college careers to employment and small business ownership.
StartUp Downeast is designed to improve economic outcomes for individuals in low-income households by providing access to post-secondary education while developing financial and self-employment readiness skills. Success will be achieved through coaching, advising, workforce and business development support, and barrier removal.
AN INDIVIDUALIZED JOURNEY
Each participant’s journey will be individualized to the career and long-term business goals that participants have. Start Up Downeast aims to empower participants throughout their college career to employment and small business ownership—increasing jobs and prosperity, strengthening economic security, and building a new generation of successful business owners in Washington County.
CONTACT STARTUP DOWNEAST
Jennifer Eger, Start Up Downeast Student Coach
Jennifer Eger joined SCEC in January 2021 as the Student Coach for Start Up Downeast. Jennifer holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Texas State University with minors in fiber arts and horticulture. Prior to joining SCEC, Jennifer lived in Texas, Vermont, and Midcoast Maine, where she worked as a Transitions Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, as a Student Educator at a farm-based experiential high school, as a produce and livestock farmer, and as a small business owner. Jennifer enjoys supporting students along their paths towards reaching individualized educational and entrepreneurial goals.
Jennifer currently lives in Pembroke and runs her own small farm business raising Icelandic sheep for lamb, fiber, breeding stock, and pasture remediation. Jennifer also appreciates gardening, weaving, swimming, and exploring the woods and rocky beaches of Downeast Maine.