REAL LIFE ROSIE

http://www.troublethedog.net

Sheila Duncan is the President of Larkin Ltd. Larkin is a holding company for its children’s character, Trouble The Dog. Trouble was created by Sheila’s then 12 year old niece after a number of cancer losses in her family. Her niece, who wanted to help kids going through tough times, drew a little stray, gray dog and named him Trouble. After seeing the positive reactions to Trouble’s iconic look, Sheila then wrote a children’s book and created a plush pup. To date Trouble is now in the hands of children all over the world, comforting them and making them smile.

Sheila has a B.S. in Business Education and has experience in the travel and hospitality industries.

What inspires you? Children are my inspiration. Although I never chose to marry and have kids of my own, I am grateful to be in a position now to help kids going through tough times. Just recently, at a fundraiser for a local charity giving back to children who are homeless and coming from abusive situations, I learned that what these kids want most is to be able to give back to other kids in the same circumstance. They are my inspiration and why I will continue in my Trouble Mission to bring a smile and a hug to every child I possibly can.

Do you have a favorite quote? I don’t really … but what quickly pops into my mind when asked the question is “Do Unto Others …”

What are the most pressing issues facing women today? I think women today feel they have to do it all … and unfortunately, choices have to be made because it’s impossible to be a superwoman and still live a completely balanced life.

What are the biggest keys to your success? I never, ever give up.

What are the biggest keys to the advancement or success of women? I believe today women can help other women, just as rosieMADE is striving to do. It’s one hand washing the other.

Where did the inspiration for your business come from? Interestingly, I feel my business was Divinely Inspired. I watched my young niece, who had been through a number of family cancer losses, look up while watching the St. Jude Telethon and say “I have to help those kids”. She then drew a little dog with an iconic face and instantly named him Trouble. The reactions of people, kids and adults alike, to Trouble continue to amaze me. That is why I chose to bring Trouble The Dog to the level he’s at right now. Trouble has a magical ability to soothe and comfort and a mission to help children (and grown ups) globally.

Where is your product sold? Our products are sold via our site www.troublethedog.net as well as through a few local retail outlets.

What advice do you have for a woman who is considering starting a business? Surround yourself with a “team” who will be completely honest with you initially; and utilize them for research and development to make sure your idea(s) are sound.

Plus, it’s important to follow your gut instincts all the way through.

What are the biggest hurdles you’ve faced in starting or growing your business? How did you overcome these? I’ve had a number of hurdles and they keep on coming. The most recent was having our plush Trouble manufactured in the USA. I was astonished at the reaction of American manufacturers who wouldn’t even take a look at the product or told me right off the bat I couldn’t afford to have Trouble made here. It took me all day every day for six months to finally have Trouble made right here in Arizona and cost about two and a half times what it cost to have him made overseas. Bottom line I had to cut into my profit margin for the time being; but the end result is a quality, keepsake toy. So it was all worth the wait.