Real Estate & Elegant Maine Living - The Way Life Should Be

Elise Kiely
  • 5.0 (13)
  • BUSINESS

Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s luxury real estate market, distinctive properties, and the lifestyle that makes this state such a special place to call home. Hosted by Elise Kiely, a top-producing real estate advisor and lifestyle connector with Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, the podcast features thoughtful conversations with local leaders, creatives, and visionaries who embody the spirit of elegant living in Maine. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply Maine-curious, each episode offers insight, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the people and places that define Maine.

  1. 3D AGO

    Maine Surfing Story: How Nanci Boutet Built Confidence, Community, and Courage in Cold Water Episode

    Send a text What does it mean to go hard — in Maine, in cold water, and in life? In this first half of my conversation with Maine surfer and entrepreneur Nanci Boutet, we explore how one woman helped reshape surf culture along the Maine coast and created space for women in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Long before founding Special Surfers, Nanci was an adult beginner who fell in love with surfing in Southern Maine. In 2002, she opened Aquaholics Surf Shop, becoming one of the few women leading a surf business in the region. Her mission was simple but powerful: make surfing in Maine accessible — especially for women who were curious but intimidated. From that vision came Mom’s Morning, a free weekly Maine surf gathering designed to welcome women of all ages, body types, and athletic backgrounds into the ocean with confidence. In this episode, we discuss: How women are reshaping surfing culture in MaineWhat it takes to start surfing later in lifeThe mindset behind Nanci’s personal motto: Go HardWhy resilience is built in cold Maine waterThe difference between result-oriented and process-oriented learningHow Maine’s ocean becomes a classroom for confidence and leadershipYou’ll hear stories of: Women in their 60s and 70s catching their first waves in MaineHigh-performing athletes humbled by the oceanBeginners overcoming fear and discovering unexpected strengthHow surf instruction becomes leadership trainingAt its core, this is not just a Maine surfing story. It is a story about women, courage, entrepreneurship, and community along the Maine coast. Nanci’s approach is tough but transformational. She demands effort, presence, and commitment — not perfection. Her belief is simple: if you are willing to face cold water, uncertainty, and self-doubt, you can build confidence that extends far beyond the beach. If you are interested in: Maine lifestyle storiesWomen entrepreneurs in MaineSurfing in New EnglandPersonal growth through sportBuilding confidence at any ageThis episode will resonate. In Part II, we continue the story and explore how this “Go Hard” philosophy evolved into Special Surfers — a Maine nonprofit serving children with special needs and Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate LinkedIn: Elise Kiely Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at Elise@EliseKiely.com Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    29 min

  2. FEB 10

    Selling a Family Home in Maine: Siblings, Legacy, and Personal Property with Jane Wellehan (Part II)pisode

    Send a text In the second half of my conversation with Jane Wellehan, we turn to a chapter many families will eventually face: selling a parent’s home and a beloved family vacation property while honoring memories, relationships, and legacy. Jane shares her experience of selling her father’s waterfront home in Yarmouth and later, the Pine Point beach house that had been in her family since the 1960s. These were not simply properties. They were places layered with decades of history—of dinners, sailing, laughter, grief, and growth. What struck me most in this conversation was Jane’s intentionality. With five sisters, she approached the process not as a transaction, but as a shared family experience that required structure, respect, and space for storytelling. 💛 Honoring Siblings and Personal Attachments Jane and her sisters developed what they called the “Diva Pick” system—a thoughtful, rotating selection process that avoided assigning dollar values to sentimental items. Rather than reducing memories to spreadsheets, they: Drew names to determine rotating pick orderAllowed each sister to share the story behind the item she most wantedEncouraged space for emotion and context before any decisions were finalizedAgreed on one simple rule: “Don’t yuck my yum.”In other words, if something mattered deeply to one sister—even if it seemed small or trivial to another—that attachment was respected. They also included children in the process, recognizing that legacy extends forward as well as backward. Jane’s message is clear: make room for stories before making decisions. The storytelling itself became part of the healing. 🏠 Different Homes, Different Emotions The Yarmouth home, where her father had lived later in life, was emotional but more straightforward. The Pine Point beach house was harder. It had held childhood summers, decades of shared experience, and family identity. The objects inside the multigenerational family beach house—shell crafts, cork lobster decorations, old bunk beds—carried meaning beyond their material value. Jane emphasizes that when selling a family property, you are not just managing assets—you are stewarding memory. ♻️ A Maine Approach to Stewardship Another powerful theme in this episode is intentional redistribution. Jane was deeply committed to ensuring items found new homes whenever possible. Rather than defa Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate LinkedIn: Elise Kiely Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at Elise@EliseKiely.com Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    20 min

  3. FEB 10

    A Maine Family Business Legacy: Lamey Wellehan, Generational Values, and What Comes Next

    Send a text In the first half of this special two-part conversation, I sit down with my friend and client Jane Wellehan, a member of one of Maine’s most storied families, long associated with Lamey Wellehan and Sebago Shoes. This episode begins with the story of a classic Maine family business—one built through hard work, risk-taking, and a deep respect for customers, employees, and community. Jane shares how her grandfather, an Irish immigrant, helped found Lamey Wellehan in Lewiston after World War I, and how Maine’s shoe manufacturing and retail industries became a powerful economic engine for the state. Jane reflects on growing up in a household where business was part of daily life—where work was discussed openly at the dinner table, where international distributors sometimes joined family holidays, and where all six daughters were expected to understand how the family made a living. She shares what it was like to work alongside her father at Sebago for 15 years, helping navigate branding, product development, and eventually the difficult decision to sell the company as global manufacturing shifted away from Maine. Alongside the business story, Jane paints a fuller picture of her family life—her mother’s deep commitment to the arts and education, her father’s love of music and painting, and the way creativity and industry coexisted in their home. We also talk about the importance of sailing in Jane’s life, from Casco Bay to decades of participation in the Monhegan Regatta—a distinctly Maine tradition that mirrors patience, skill, and continuity across generations. This first half is intentionally a setup. By understanding the values, history, and emotional weight behind a family like the Wellehans, we begin to understand the complexity of what comes next. In Part II, Jane speaks candidly about how the current generation faces one of life’s most difficult transitions: selling signature family properties, sorting and distributing personal belongings, navigating sibling dynamics, and honoring a family legacy while letting go of places filled with decades of memory. This foundational story gives essential context to those deeply human decisions. 💬 Key Themes A classic Maine family business and the values behind itThe rise of Maine’s shoe manufacturing and retail legacyGrowing up inside a multi-generational enterpriseWorking alongside a parent—and learning to deliver hard truthsElegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate LinkedIn: Elise Kiely Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at Elise@EliseKiely.com Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    37 min

  4. FEB 3

    Maine Real Estate Market Update: Buyers, Sellers, Wealth Transfer, and What 2026 May Bring — with Chris Lynch

    Send a text In this episode of Elegant Maine Living, I’m joined once again by Chris Lynch, Owner and Designated Broker of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, for a wide-ranging and thoughtful update on Maine’s real estate market. Together, we take a clear-eyed look at what’s happening nationally and locally—and, more importantly, what it actually means for people making real decisions about their homes and their lives. We discuss whether Maine is currently a buyer’s market or a seller’s market, how prices are behaving across key counties, and why Maine continues to “bump along the top” rather than swing into extremes. Chris shares his perspective on interest rates and why waiting for the “perfect” rate may not serve buyers as well as focusing on readiness, lifestyle, and long-term goals. We also explore how the great wealth transfer—from Baby Boomers to Gen X and Millennials—is reshaping who is buying in Maine, why buyers are getting younger, and how gifted cash is changing the competitive landscape. Finally, we address one of the most serious issues facing real estate today: the growing sophistication and frequency of fraud and cybercrime in transactions. Chris outlines the real risks buyers and sellers face—and the practical steps everyone should be taking to protect themselves. This conversation is both reassuring and candid: Maine remains resilient, desirable, and values-driven—but navigating today’s market requires intention, trusted advisors, and informed decision-making. 🔗 Episode Links Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty – https://www.legacysir.comElegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate LinkedIn: Elise Kiely Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at Elise@EliseKiely.com Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    57 min

  5. JAN 27

    Maine at the Ground Floor: Angel Investing and Emerging Industries

    Send a text In the second half of this conversation on Elegant Maine Living, Elise Kiely continues her discussion with Sandra Stone—former chair of Maine Angels, founder of C Cove Solutions, and a long-time advocate for entrepreneurship and women in investing. This episode offers a clear, accessible look at how angel investing fits into the life cycle of a company—after friends-and-family funding and before traditional venture capital—and why early-stage capital is so critical for founders trying to scale responsibly. Sandra explains how individual investors, pooled funds, and Maine-based institutions work together to support innovation across the state. Elise and Sandra explore: Where angel investing sits in the startup funding journey and how it differs from venture capitalWhy Maine’s geography, coastline, and natural resources have fueled innovation—particularly in aquacultureEmerging investment areas including sustainable products, packaging, and building materialsHow programs like the Maine Seed Tax Credit can meaningfully support Maine-based companies and investorsThe opportunity for investors to mentor founders through board service, advisory roles, and shared expertiseThe founding of the Northern New England Women’s Investor Network and how education and community have helped more women step into angel investing with confidenceThe conversation also touches on the evolution of deal flow at Maine Angels, the shift toward supporting more Maine-based companies, and how angel investing can offer intellectual engagement, community, and purpose—especially for those looking to contribute beyond financial returns. Sandra closes by reflecting on Maine’s pace of life, its culture of stewardship, and her optimism for the future of Maine’s startup and investment ecosystem. Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode Maine Angels – https://www.maineangels.org Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) – https://www.famemaine.com Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit – https://www.famemaine.com/business-finance/seed-capital-tax-credit Maine Venture Fund – https://www.maineventurefund.com Coastal Enterprises Inc. (including Coastal Ventures Inc.) – Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate LinkedIn: Elise Kiely Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at Elise@EliseKiely.com Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    23 min

  6. JAN 20

    Maine Innovates: Angel Investing, Entrepreneurship, and Women at the Table with Sandra Stone

    Send a text In this episode of Elegant Maine Living, Elise Kiely sits down with Sandra Stone—former chair of Maine Angels, founder of C Cove Solutions, and one of the most influential voices in Maine’s entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem. In the first half of this thoughtful and inspiring conversation, Sandra shares her personal journey to Maine, how an unexpected first investment sparked a lifelong commitment to entrepreneurship, and why she became so passionate about encouraging more women to participate in angel investing—not as experts on day one, but as curious learners willing to lean in. Together, Elise and Sandra explore: How Sandra found Maine and built a career rooted in innovation and leadershipWhat angel investing really is—and how Maine Angels worksThe confidence gap many women feel around investing, and how community helps bridge itWhy curiosity, mentorship, and saying yes before feeling “ready” matterHow Maine’s startup ecosystem has evolved over timeThis episode is especially for listeners who are curious about startup investing, interested in supporting Maine-based entrepreneurs, or wondering whether there’s a place for them—particularly women—in the world of early-stage investing. Coming up in the next episode: Elise and Sandra dive deeper into the industries attracting investment across Maine and New England, including aquaculture and sustainable products such as packaging and building materials. They also discuss mentoring early-stage companies and the growing number of women actively participating in angel investing. If this conversation sparked your curiosity, you won’t want to miss what’s next. For more information on Maine Angels please visit the website. Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate LinkedIn: Elise Kiely Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at Elise@EliseKiely.com Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    23 min

  7. JAN 13

    The Maine Way - Resilience, Patience and Responsibility: Jill McGowan on Building a Brand That Endures

    Send a text In the second half of my conversation with Jill McGowan, founder of Jill McGowan and creator of The Great White Shirt, we move beyond origin stories and into the heart of what it takes to sustain a values-driven business over decades. Jill and I talk candidly about resilience—how setbacks are often as frequent as successes, and how her instinct has always been to focus on solutions rather than blame. One of my favorite moments in this episode is Jill’s story of being in New York City and spotting a woman in a café wearing one of her shirts. Encouraged by her sister, Jill introduced herself, only to hear the woman—an attorney—say that Jill McGowan shirts were her everyday go-to, with more than a dozen in her closet. It’s a powerful reminder of what it means to put your name on a product and truly stand behind it. We also revisit two of the most challenging periods for small businesses: 9/11 and COVID. Jill describes traveling to New York shortly after 9/11 to attend a trade show despite fear, uncertainty, and canceled orders—choosing to “carry on” as a way of supporting the city and her industry. During COVID, she faced mandatory closures, laid off staff temporarily, and then pivoted decisively—bringing her production team back early to manufacture thousands of high-quality, multi-layered face masks when shortages became acute. That pivot kept the business alive and reinforced her belief in responsibility beyond profit. Throughout the episode, Jill speaks with clarity about her commitment to integrity: sourcing exceptional fabrics, insisting on construction that lasts for years, and never compromising on quality—even when it would be easier or more profitable to do so. She shares how deeply she feels accountable to her customers, her team, and her own name, which is inseparable from the brand. We close with reflections on Maine—why it continues to ground her creatively and personally. From childhood memories in Baxter State Park and Down East Maine, to the sense of community, authenticity, and quiet strength that defines the state, Jill describes Maine as both home and inspiration. For her, elegance in Maine is found in the air, the landscape, the people, and the values that endure. ✨ Key Themes Resilience as a daily business practiceThe power of seeing your work worn and loved by strangersPutting your own name on a brand—and the responsibility that bringsNavigating 9/11 with inElegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate LinkedIn: Elise Kiely Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at Elise@EliseKiely.com Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    22 min

  8. JAN 11 · BONUS

    Elegance, Maine: A Chorus of Guest Reflections on Where They Find Elegance in Maine

    Send a text In this special bonus episode of Elegant Maine Living, I wanted to pause and gather something meaningful from the many conversations I have had over the past months with extraordinary guests across Maine. Throughout the podcast, I have had the privilege of speaking with community leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, nonprofit founders, outdoorspeople, creatives, and five remarkable young women just beginning their adult lives. They come from different generations, backgrounds, and walks of life — yet they share a deep connection to Maine. At the end of many of these conversations, I asked a simple question:  Where do you find elegance in Maine? The answers were never about status, wealth, or show. Instead, they pointed to something quieter and more enduring:  nature, kindness, balance, gratitude, creativity, community, and a life lived with intention. In this short bonus episode, I’ve woven together those reflections — voices that, when heard side by side, reveal a collective understanding of what makes Maine so special. You’ll hear guests speak about everything from Casco Bay and the Bold Coast, to our world class food scene, random acts of kindness, meaningful work, and the understated beauty of everyday life here. If you’ve ever felt that Maine’s elegance is hard to define but easy to feel, this episode is for you. Whether you’ve lived in Maine for generations, arrived more recently, or are simply considering a move here, I hope these voices help you hear Maine a little differently — and perhaps more clearly. Thank you to every guest who so generously shared their time, perspective, and heart. And thank you for listening. Until next time, continue to live with elegance. — Elise Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s homes, communities, and people—through the lens of lifestyle, values, and thoughtful living. I host conversations with leaders, creators, and advisors who help illuminate what it truly means to live well in Maine. Connect with Elise 🌐 Website & Listings: EliseKiely.com 📸 Follow Elise on Social Media: Instagram: @elisekielyrealestate Facebook: Elise Kiely Real Estate LinkedIn: Elise Kiely Have Questions or Topic Suggestions, e-mail Elise at Elise@EliseKiely.com Subscribe, share with a friend, and join Elise every other week to discover what makes Maine not just beautiful—but beautifully lived. Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.

    9 min
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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

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Elegant Maine Living explores Maine’s luxury real estate market, distinctive properties, and the lifestyle that makes this state such a special place to call home. Hosted by Elise Kiely, a top-producing real estate advisor and lifestyle connector with Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, the podcast features thoughtful conversations with local leaders, creatives, and visionaries who embody the spirit of elegant living in Maine. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply Maine-curious, each episode offers insight, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the people and places that define Maine.

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