BRUNSWICK — Earlier this month, the Women’s Business Center at CEI announced the launch of an Entrepreneur in Residence program designed to connect Maine’s women business owners who have a specific challenge or question with local entrepreneurs who have the industry or area specific knowledge needed to identify solutions.

Initial matches were made this spring during a pilot test of the program.

“For me this was an ideal match,” said Kerry Hanney, owner, Night Moves Bread and Pie, with locations in Portland and Yarmouth. “My EIR started out the way I am — one person with very little funding but a strong work ethic and lots of passion for their idea. She identified helpful connections for me to make in the com- munity, and shared what her startup timeline was like as well as helpful steps to take along the way.”

The EIR program was created to fill a need the Women’s Business Center identified among clients for industry and area specific guidance. EIRs can function as sounding boards for ideas, share personal experiences and lessons learned, and help other business owners navigate the frustrations, challenges and questions that might arise.

Nearly 20 entrepreneurs have volunteered to meet with two to four Women’s Business Center clients a year.

Business owners interested in meeting with an EIR can fill out a request form. The Women’s Business Center will respond and discuss whether the EIR program is a good fit, then make the match. Information that is shared by the WBC and client with an Entrepreneur in Residence is confidential.