My name is Kristan Vermeulen, now known as Ms. Maine 2025.  I am an entrepreneur and advocate for American craftsmanship.  With a Master of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Marketing from Hood College, I have built a career focused on empowering small businesses and makers across the nation.

​In 2022, I was honored with the MaineBiz 40 Under 40 award, recognizing my impactful contributions to the community.  I have appeared on national television, including Good Morning America to promote my platform, Makers of the USA, which highlights individuals creating handmade products. Through this initiative, I foster meaningful connections with aspiring entrepreneurs, sharing my expertise and mentoring them in their journeys to build successful businesses.  My dedication to American-made products is reflected in my commitment to using only domestic clothing for my pageant appearances.  I actively support various nonprofit organizations, including the Maine Craft Association and the CEI Women’s Business Center, and engage with young leaders by sharing my career journey with high school students.

With a vision to transform my platform into a national television show and turn Makers of the USA into a nonprofit, I aim to amplify the voices of small businesses and communities, filling a vital gap and celebrating the art of making in America.