Naphtali Maynard, Scarborough, Maine.

This photo was taken on the one-year anniversary of our business. My husband and I opened a sandwich shop on the Southern Coast of Maine using nothing more than the tax credit we received from buying a home in 2010. One year later, we’ve established a second year-round shop- all without taking out a single loan. The photo is of our celebration- a $7 bottle of sparking wine out on our deck, during one day off a week. To be middle class means to follow your dreams, to work harder than you ever imagined and to sacrifice much. Because despite the state of the economy, we can still find success.