Rich and Yury first met years ago at a Social Media Breakfast event in Bangor where Rich was speaking.

The two were both fascinated by the growing trend that was “social media” and what it could do for businesses, non-profits, and entrepreneurs who wanted to reach more of their audience online.

Although Rich and Yury continued to work and grow at their respective companies, (flyte and Machias Savings Bank,) they stayed in touch and Yury was instrumental in getting MSB involved with Rich’s Agents of Change Digital Marketing Conference.

After a successful first year of sponsorship, Rich and Yury looked to expand the goal of helping Maine businesses grow beyond a one-day event. Thus came the in-person workshops, later named “Fast Forward Maine,” that Rich and Yury put on around the state.

MSB was excited about the immediate positive reaction that the FFME workshops were having, and worked with flyte to expand the brand to reach and help more growing businesses in the state.

Rich and Yury are now putting on twice as many workshops along with a rotating list of experts, and have added an interview-style podcast so they can reach even more Maine businesses in an ongoing manner, providing advice on people, promotions, and profits.