Tobias Parkhurst, Head of Business Development for Cushnoc Brewing Company and a longtime Maine entrepreneur, joins Dr. Lisa Belisle on Radio Maine to share an unconventional journey from professional skateboarding to revitalizing community life in central Maine. Growing up in rural Maine, Parkhurst found identity and resilience through skateboarding, eventually traveling widely before returning home to help run his family’s glass business. After years in construction, he shifted toward ventures that reflected his passions—helping launch Cushnoc Brewing Company in Augusta and contributing to other local businesses like State Lunch, Sand Hill Bagel, and Cushnoc Cantina.

In this thoughtful conversation, Parkhurst reflects on lessons learned from skateboarding, entrepreneurship, and travel—especially the importance of persistence, community connection, and bringing new ideas back to Maine. From building breweries and skate parks to fostering spaces where people gather over beer, pizza, and conversation, his work highlights how small businesses can shape the identity of a place.