Returning again this year is an IFOB favorite; our “Family Business Spotlight.” Each year, we feature family businesses who are members of the Institute and have a deep commitment to supporting family-owned businesses in Maine.

Each family is highlighted on our website, on Facebook, Instagram, in emails, on calendar websites, and LinkedIn. We then host a Business After Hours at their location where you can network with IFOB members, future members and those who want to learn more about the IFOB and the farm.

This year we’re celebrating it on National Family Owned & Operated Businesses Day | June 23, 2025; a day that was created to recognize and honor the hard-working families who run small businesses, keeping them thriving and providing valuable goods and services to their communities.

Did you know that family-owned businesses make up about 80-90% of all businesses in North America and Maine too? From mom-and-pop shops to multi-generational companies, these businesses play a crucial role in our society and deserve recognition for their dedication and perseverance. So, let’s show some love for our favorite family-owned businesses on this special day!

Nestled in the picturesque town of Pownal, Maine (a few minutes from Portland, Freeport and Brunswick), William Allen Farm stands as a timeless testament to the state’s rich heritage of barn weddings and gatherings. The 200-year-old red barn exudes authenticity and charm. We’ll have yummy hors d’oeuvres and beverages to enjoy.

PLUS bring your kiddos too! Celebrate outside or beneath its weathered beams, enveloped in the romance of a bygone era, where kids can run and play lawn games and see how networking with friends, young and older, is done!