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Updated: 24 min ago

Outstanding Women in Business: Franchise owner Maryna Shuliakouskaya leads with ‘care, clarity and consistency’

Photo / Tim Greenway Maryna Shuliakouskaya owns 12 Aroma Joe’s stores in Maine.
By Alexis Wells
See all the 2025 Mainebiz Outstanding Women in Business profiles
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Maryna Shuliakouskaya, who is originally from Belarus, began her career with a J-1 student visa in hand, working as a housekeeper in Kittery. She says the start of her career was exciting and full of new possibilities.\ “Every job I was offered — dishwashing, housekeeping, waitressing — felt like a valuable opportunity to grow and learn,” says Shuliakouskaya. “I’ve always followed the advice my dad gave me: ‘Do the job 100% right, even when no one is watching.’”

She is now the owner of 12 Aroma Joe’s locations and manages over 350 employees at her franchises and her two companies, Aspire ME Group and Acadia Management Group.

She is looking to continue to expand Aroma Joe’s locations and, one day, explore new ventures in the beauty-and-wellness space. She is also working to build a nonprofit, TripleNetCare, with her oldest daughter. The nonprofit focuses on empowering youth through education, clean water access and community-driven projects.

Mainebiz: How do you run a successful franchise in today’s challenging environment?

Maryna Shuliakouskaya: You run a successful franchise by staying close to your people and leading with care, clarity and consistency. In a rapidly changing landscape, it’s essential to stay up to date with current laws and regulations, monitor key performance metrics and closely track industry trends. Building a strong, adaptable team and staying mission-driven allows you to lead with confidence when others are pulling back. Long-term success comes from a balance of compliance, data-driven decision-making and people-focused leadership.

MB: What’s your approach to management?

MS: My management approach is mission-driven and people-focused. Lead with clarity, set clear expectations and align your team around a shared purpose. Support your people through empathy, empowerment and accountability. I manage and lead by: “Mission first, people always.”

MB: What kind of skills do you look for when you hire people?

MS: When hiring, I prioritize soft skills while still valuing education and experience. I look for individuals with strong personal energy, a positive attitude and a desire to grow.

MB: What is your five-year business plan?

MS: Over the next five years, I plan to grow Aspire ME Group into a standout brand to guide strategic expansion and help both small and international brands scale successfully. I’m also hoping to write a book that shares my journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

MB: Who is a mentor who helped shape your career path?

MS: On a personal level, my parents and grandmother were my greatest mentors. They drilled into me the values of resilience, hard work and education. I actually promised my dad that I would earn my doctorate before he did — he got his by 40, and I reached mine by 35. Professionally, [former Aroma Joe’s CEO] Loren Goodridge has been a pivotal mentor — always challenging me to think bigger, push my limits, and transition from goal setting to impact-making. I believe that to grow truly, you need someone in your life who not only teaches you new skills but also believes in you more than you believe in yourself. That kind of support can change your life trajectory.

MB: Why is mentoring others important to you?

MS: Mentoring is one of the most meaningful ways to create lasting impact. We’re all here to pass on what we’ve learned and help others grow. True success is when those you mentor surpass you.

Companies:

Aroma Joe’s: Specialty drive-thru coffee shops focused on customer service and energy-infused beverages. www.aromajoes.com

Aspire ME Group: A franchising and business consulting firm helping U.S. and international brands scale through systems, strategy and operational excellence.

Acadia Management Group: A management company that oversees a portfolio of QSR brands — including Aroma Joe’s and Subway — as well as real estate and development projects across Maine and Connecticut.

Total employees: 350-plus

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