Dan Finnemore’s entrepreneurial journey is proof that sometimes the best ideas come from simply wanting to share a piece of home.
Born and raised in Bangor, Maine, Dan will be the first to admit he didn’t fully appreciate the state as a kid. “I thought it was boring,” he laughs. It wasn’t until he started his own family that Maine began to feel magical—the scenic destinations you can drive to in a day, the fresh blueberries and lobster straight off the boat, and the quiet charm that lives up to the state’s motto: “The way life should be.”
Although Dan grew up here, his parents weren’t “Mainers” by birth. They had moved from California to raise their kids in a better environment, and once Dan was grown, they eventually moved away. That’s when an idea hit him: “How can I get a piece of Maine back to them?”
The answer became Box of Maine—a business built to help others share a taste of Maine with loved ones no matter where they live.
Entrepreneurship is in His Blood
While studying business with a focus in accounting at Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC), Dan started selling things online as a side hustle to pay for school. That hustle paired with solving the “Maine-in-a-box” problem was how Box of Maine was born.
He was self-taught in many ways. Before launching the company, Dan managed a food manufacturing facility, where he learned about shipping and receiving, accounts payable, inventory management, and operations. Combined with his tech-savviness and formal business training, he built a company that quickly grew past the $1 million mark and continues to double in size each year
The Family Business Effect
Entrepreneurship has a way of running in families. Studies show that children of entrepreneurs are 60% more likely to start their own businesses. From the Rockefellers to the Fords, to today’s entrepreneurial dynasties like the Kardashians and the Waltons, there’s often a generational thread of business-building.
Even UpStart’s own Program Manager, Lisa Liberatore, can relate. Her father was an orthodontist who owned his own practice, and her mom ran the business side of things. “I worked the front desk as a kid,” Lisa recalls. “It’s true—entrepreneurship really does run in the family.”
Finding UpStart and Learning to Scale
Dan was a year into Box of Maine when he found UpStart Maine. At that point, he had the day-to-day operations down, but he knew he needed to zoom out.
“I realized I needed a five-year plan. I needed to understand my audience better, increase efficiencies in operations, hire and expand to meet demand,” Dan explains. “I was overwhelmed trying to do everything myself, but when I sat down with a mentor and got it on paper, it all started to click.”
He went from running his business out of his basement to moving into the UpStart Center for Entrepreneurship into 500 square feet. From there, he purchased a building—but then COVID hit, and the business exploded.
Today, Box of Maine operates out of a 7,000-square-foot space that includes a gift shop where anyone can build their own custom box to send to loved ones.
Fueling Growth Through Big Gig
Another big turning point for Dan came when he applied for—and won—the Big Gig pitch competition. Big Gigs are fun, friendly events designed to connect entrepreneurs with a supportive community of innovators, funders, service providers, and mentors.
Each event kicks off with time for networking, food, and drinks before three contestants pitch their ideas in front of a live audience. They receive helpful feedback, gain valuable publicity, and compete for a $500 cash prize that night, with the chance to move on to the Finale and win the $5,000 grand prize.
Dan credits Big Gig with giving him a critical boost of capital and confidence at just the right time. “That funding helped me keep the momentum going,” he says.
(Big Gig is one of UpStart Maine’s coalition partners and a vital resource for entrepreneurs across the region.)
Advice From the Basement-to-Warehouse Journey
Dan’s story is inspiring, but he’s quick to point out that there’s no magic shortcut.
“You have to start. Don’t get stuck in the idea phase—you’re going to make mistakes. Focus on how quickly you can fix, refine, and get better. Stay passionate about what you’re building, and don’t beat yourself up along the way. Be good at building relationships. And always find a way to give back.”
Why This Matters
Entrepreneurs who work with advisors or mentors are five times more likely to succeed. That’s exactly what the UpStart network is designed to do: help you find the right people, resources, and opportunities to grow your business.
Dan’s journey from his basement to a thriving warehouse operation is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to build it all alone.
Ready to take your next step?
If Dan’s story resonates with you, we’d love to connect.
📩 Reach out to Lisa Liberatore, UpStart’s Program Manager, to find the right resource partner for your journey.
👉 Email Lisa at innovation@upstartmaine.org
Or connect directly with Dan Finnemore, Founder of Box of Maine, to learn more about his business and his gift shop in Brewer.
📍 Location: Brewer, Maine
🌐 Website: boxofmaine.com
If you have questions or need guidance, we’re here to help. Contact us at innovation@upstartmaine.org
UpStart’s mission is to be the Bangor Region’s innovation hub that connects entrepreneurs statewide with resources to grow their businesses.
For more information on UpStart, contact innovation@upstartmaine.org