SELF NOMINATED
Maine, like many other rural states, faces significant issues related to childcare and education of its young people. Carrie Gervais and Jennifer Cousins began addressing some of those issues by founding Stepping Stones Montessori School in 2001, originally operating out of Carrie’s home. From its initial 8 students, Stepping Stones added space first for K-3rd grade, and within 9 years the school was able to cater to K-8 students. Carrie and Jen continued working on sustained expansion and building their curriculum around hands-on learning and understanding until they faced the massive disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Stepping Stones used the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program to ensure that the business would remain viable for their 13 employees and their students. This assistance from the SBA, as well as a State of Maine grant, meant that Stepping Stones could remain open safely, and continue work on expanding their Pre-K program. With the full Pre-K program in place after the pandemic, Stepping Stones has been able to provide this critical service to their community, with many families using the school as both education and childcare. As a direct result, the number of students has risen above 90, with a significant waitlist, and employment has risen to 23, with employees receiving a significant increase in pay and benefits.
Outside of the business, Carrie and Jen have served on the boards of various local organizations such as the Augusta Babe Ruth league, Maine Ending Hunger Now campaign, the Cony High School drama club, and local Project Graduations. Of particular note is Carrie’s work with the NA Sher Foundation, an organization that organizes micro-finance loans for women in Oaxaca, Mexico, through which six businesses received the funding they needed. For their efforts to provide critical education and childcare, while serving their community and encouraging entrepreneurship abroad, the SBA Maine District Office recognizes Carrie Gervais and Jennifer Cousins as our Small Business Persons of the Year.
