When Ruth Ross first started her business, she did it in response to a need.
“My daughter had an American Girl doll, and wanted to dress her up in different outfits, which was getting expensive,” Ross said. “But when I went to buy other, less expensive outfits for the doll, the quality wasn’t there.”
Ross, 35, of Kirkville, had made a lot of her daughter’s clothes herself, so it seemed a natural progression to put on a thimble and, needle in hand, craft smaller versions for her daughter’s doll.
“My daughter’s friends loved it, and moms started commenting on the clothes, and it just kind of grew from there,” Ross said. And so My 18 Inch Doll Inc. was born.
Ross first began sewing clothes for her daughter’s doll in 2005, then started her company in 2008. Each year, she saw a bit more success and, with gross sales of $200,000 last year, business is booming.
“I concentrate on functionality and affordable quality in my designs,” Ross said. As mother to four girls ranging in age from 3 to 15, Ross said she understands that “with the economy today, everyone is looking to save money. My products allow them to do just that.”
Along with clothing, My 18 Inch Doll Inc. also offers accessories and furniture.
“Before we started, I had bought a table and chair set for my daughter’s doll,” Ross said. “It fell apart, and I realized this was something else we could do – and again offer quality that is affordable.”
She is also in the process of adding made-to-order doll houses to the lineup of products.
Her husband, Todd, said he is amazed by how well the business has done.
“At first, I didn’t think it would do well,” he said. “It’s funny that we used to spend so much money on these things. What used to make me broke years ago is now making me money.”
The company outsources to China but, Ross said, she tries to keep most of its business local, with a warehouse in Liverpool.
“It’s amazing to see your dreams come true right before your eyes,” Ross said. “The best thing this has allowed me to do is be there for my kids. I am able to homeschool all of them, and they have even helped me with designs for the dolls. They have witnessed their mom being able to be successful in business, which is amazing. I think it has inspired them.”
She said she also has given advice to other women who’ve started their own businesses.
“The number one thing I tell them to do is start small,” she said. “If it is something they can continue to do while working another job, that is a bonus.”
“If you concentrate on your dream, eventually doors will open for you,” she said. “Like they did for me.”
For more information visit my18inchdoll.com.
