Every March we celebrate women-owned local businesses carried at the Co-op. Here are three more awesome small businesses owned and operated by savvy Maine women.
Meet Cyndi Prince, the founder of LooHoo, your go-to person for helping you create a natural, healthier home. Just before her son was born, she learned that most dryer sheets contain toxic chemicals that are especially harmful to babies and children. After searching for a healthier alternative to naturally soften their laundry, she created LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls, a reusable, energy-saving alternative to dryer sheets. LooHoo has been featured in O Magazine, Oprah Daily, PEOPLE and InStyle for being a smart and health eco-conscious swap for household staples. We are the trusted brand for natural solutions that keep your loved ones healthy.
The Ice Cream Lady is a small woman-owned business located in Brooklin, Maine. It has been in operation since 1992 and aspires to provide high-quality, homemade ice cream to the Blue Hill peninsula and beyond. For the past 12 years, the business has been owned and operated by Nancy Veilleux, a previous organic vegetable farmer. Nancy runs the business out of her home and offers over twenty gourmet flavor options, ranging from well-loved classics like vanilla to unique combinations such as honey lavender. Due to her background in farming and ties to the community, Nancy prioritizes the use of choice ingredients and local products whenever possible. Recently, the Ice Cream Lady became a mother-daughter operation when Nancy’s daughter Isabelle Hurley joined her in the business in 2024. Now, they work together to make the ice cream, collaborate on new flavor ideas, and provide nearby towns with pint-sized scoops of happiness.
Founded in 1993, Desert Harvest is a second-generation family-owned and operated business led by Heather Florio. After attending the University of Denver to study Leadership and Organizational Management, Heather took on various roles in the entertainment industry, managing venues and coordinating private events for musicians worldwide. Since taking over as CEO of Desert Harvest after her parent’ retirement in 2012, Heather has helped to grow the company by over 1000%. She has a passion for helping, advocating, and educating with her vast knowledge of women’s health issues and was named one of the top 50 Women in Wellness by Authority Magazine in 2021 and was featured in Forbes magazine in 2022 as a top woman in business. When not at the helm of Desert Harvest, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and three dogs.
