In a recent competition conducted by an online entrepreneurial content and community resource Web site, Tick-a-Too, a Molalla startup company owned and operated by Molly Shadrin, was ranked the sixth best mother-owned-and-operated business in the country.
StartupNation.com, a Web site that markets itself as one founded by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, launched its first annual Leading Moms in Business Competition earlier this year to find the top 200 best mother-owned businesses. The company released its competition’s results last week, and Shadrin’s online children’s boutique, which sells everything from clothes and baby gifts to furniture and mothers’ “musthaves,” was voted into the sixth spot.
The winners were determined by popular vote.
In all, six Oregon companies were included in the list of top 200 mother-owned-and-operated businesses in the nation. Besides Tick-a-Too, Coupon Girls LLC of West Linn was No. 15; Little Busy Bodies Inc. of Beaverton, No. 37; Whippersnappers Studio of Bend, No. 71; Hot by 6 of Sherwood, No. 127; and ChefzTable.com in Portland, No. 143.
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Recently, Shadrin took a short break from her business to speak with the Pioneer about her success.
Pioneer: How does it feel to have Tick-a-too ranked as the number 6 mother-owned business in the country?
Shadrin: It feels great! Definitely unexpected. I was hoping to at least be the 200th. I could not believe I was 6th. It’s very exciting.
P: Where in Molalla is the business located? Do you operate out of your home? And do you have employees other than yourself?
S: It is located on the outskirts of Molalla. I run my business from my home.
I started with a little office in my home. As the inventory expanded, I moved downstairs. I now take up most of the basement. At this time, I do not have any employees.
P: When you started the company, what was the determining factor in deciding to start an online business, as opposed to a storefront boutique in town?
S: Before I started, I knew I wanted to stay home with my kids. I had no idea what I was doing and had to learn along the way. I’ve never actually had a job before, a credit card, or a bank account. My husband gave me $100 to open up my bank account and some money for a deposit on a credit card. Opening up an online store is less risky than opening up a retail boutique. Owning a retail boutique in town would be awesome. It’s something I hope to do some day (maybe when the kids are a little older).
P: How has the economic downturn affected your business?
S: There is definitely a decrease in sales, but I cut back on a lot of expenses, so it doesn’t feel that bad yet. I’m always looking to improve the business.
I also noticed a lot of my online competition is dwindling away. It’s kinda [sic] scary when you see businesses that have been in business for so long, closing down. My overhead is very small compared to some bigger companies, so I think I’ll be fine.
P: Since starting in 2004, how have you grown Tick-a-too into StartupNation.com’s sixth best mother-owned-and-operated business in the country?
S: I started off really small, like a lot of other mompreneurs. First, it started off with auctions like eBay, then I later expanded to my own website. My inventory continues to grow as my kids grow. I try to offer a large selection, the best price and great service.
P: As a ‘mompreneur,’ what sort of challenges have you faced in growing your business? And what advice would you give to other ‘mompreneurs’ interested in business ventures of their own?
S: The hardest part was starting out and not having a clue what to do. If I knew then what I know now, it would have been so much easier. If there is a mom out there who wants to start a business, research your niche. Talk with other mompreneurs who are already successful with what they do. You would be amazed at how much advice you can get. I still ask for advice from other mompreneurs.
Being a mom and a business owner is very challenging, especially if you work at home with the kids. They determine your schedule. Things that should take a few minutes take an hour when you have three young kids.
A version of this article appeared in print on Aug. 25, 2009 on page 9 of the Molalla Pioneer.