Cold feet kills many a new business, but Maine’s premiere entrepreneur made his fortune from cold feet. And a promise.

He started in a garage of sorts, and got the inspiration for his Bean Boot while hunting, and slogging, through the cold, wet fields of Maine.

Like Steve Jobs he had a passion, didn’t let mistakes, or failure get in his way, and always put the customer first.

His products were ground breaking and his personal guarantee provided a risk-free purchase of anything he produced. Millions bought in. Still do.

He grew, his family grew, his company grew, the nation grew, and so did Maine.

He stood by his word, and his products. And his customers stood by him. And still stand by his legacy, the L.L. Bean Company. Trust is precious.

We still depend on L.L. Bean to help us enjoy the great outdoors. (And the great indoors as well.)

It’s been 100 years now that the L.L. Bean has been part of our lives and they’ve published a beautifully designed book to celebrate, with just the perfect title, “Guaranteed to Last.” It’s written by the talented Jim Gorman, who sounds like a blood relation, but is not, although, certainly is in spirit. It’s chock full of wonderful images and stories about our beloved L.L. Bean and his lasting company. And in a way about Maine.

At this point in time L.L. has beat Steve Jobs. He built a lasting company, which is one of Steve’s goals. We’ll be watching to see if Steve gets there. (Have a hunch he will.)

The birthday party’s just begun. Check out their Birthday website for lots of fun events. How about Muddy Boots ice cream? Now, where is the giant boot shaped cake with all the candles?

Happy Birthday L.L. Bean! Wishing you another great 100 years. We are all so proud of you!

PS After reading the Steve Jobs bio, and now this inspiring history, it’s a shame that Maine doesn’t provide a better environment for talented entrepreneurs. There are so many smart, hard-working, people ready to go.

Part of the charm of the Maine lifestyle is that everything’s not perfect. (Well, it actually is perfect, but the rest of the world might not see it that way.)

The climate’s part of it, and the other part is the simple ingenuity and practicality of the creative people who live here. Especially in the farming communities where farmers ‘make do’ in very innovative ways.

And Maine is the lucky recipient of the many wonderful aesthetic gifts that the 16th, 17th, 18th and parts of the 19th centuries have given to the local vernacular.

Brian Haddock (don’t you love the name?) started a carpentry company in 1973, in Bridgton, in Western Maine to restore old houses. The kind that normal people would tear down. But the kind where the Maine magic is found.

Soon the company was just making furniture and eventually moved to Portland where they started working with the now famous Maine Cottage Furniture.

And now they have their own take on how cottage furniture really should be.

Their line has a charming sense of Maine wry humor, precision craftsmanship, great color sense, and a quirky mid-century modern style. It’s less Maine cutesy, more contemporary, and very tongue in cheek.

Perfect for the modern cottage, or to add a smile to whatever decor you choose.

It’s unclear why this company hasn’t received more buzz!

These photos don’t give you the full picture, you should definitely stop into their light-filled showroom in downtown Portland to see what happens when rural meets urban in Maine.

Furniturea, Rural Modern, 75 Market Street, Portland, ME 04101, 800-860-8955 (Across from Starbucks at the top of the Old Port.)

Visit Furniturea’s website.