Lexi Clark ‘20’s hometown of Lincoln, Maine (population ~5,085 people), doesn’t have a place to buy fresh-baked goods.

Lexi loves to bake and plans to open her own bakery in Lincoln after graduating from Thomas College.

“I want to do what I love, in the place I love. There isn’t a place to do it there, so I have to make that place for myself,” said Lexi on what attracts her to opening her own business.

Lexi, 19-years-old, is studying Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management at Thomas College to help her fulfill her dream.

Right now, while she’s studying at Thomas, she is baking cakes for weddings and baby showers on the side.

“It would be very hard to do it all out of my dorm room! But, I bake whenever I can. The actual bakery will be when I am out of school and get a little more experience in the workplace under my belt,” said Lexi.

And, she’s been attending events to learn from entrepreneurs who have already got their business idea off the ground. Lexi attended the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College’s first annual Create and Converge Weekend earlier this month.

“It was very inspiring and ignited my passion for opening a bakery someday because I was surrounded by people who are already doing it, or have the same dream as I,” said Lexi. “Before the event, I was filled with doubt because of money, time, and life. Seeing people who are doing it and are successful was very reassuring.”

Lexi said her family has been a source of inspiration for her entrepreneurial attitude. Her mom’s boyfriend of 15 years is self-employed, and her mother has taught her everything she knows about baking and is very supportive and excited about Lexi’s dream.

At Thomas, Lexi is also involved in many clubs and organizations that will eventually help her with owning her own business, including student ambassador, JMG, Student Senate, Student Philanthropy Team, and the Investment Society.

She also enjoys the close interactions with faculty members and advisors.

“With every professor, I have been able to have a personal relationship. They are always there to help me if I don’t understand, and they even care when I have had a bad day.”

Lexi is very excited about creating her own business someday – and was very inspired by Converge and Create Weekend.

“It’s never too early to start working on my dream of owning a bakery. Seeing everyone work together has made me realize something – Maine businesses are not out to be competitive. We are coming together, all of Maine, to better our economy and that’s what makes Maine ‘the way life should be.’ I learned a lot about all the people who are there to help others open a business and how to get in contact with them. I learned that people in Maine are here to help each other, and there are people to help you for free (and are happy to do it). It’s not as scary as it seems. It’s possible!”