Mother-Daughter Teams make Good Business in Shorewood

Shorewood's business district has a unique group of family-business owners.

The mother-daughter team of Annette and Julie Drollinger run Shorewood's , 1433 E. Capitol Dr., after sharing the dream of owning their own shop for years.

As Julie was preparing to graduate with her bachelor's degree in business and marketing in 2004, her mom saw a sign in the window space they now occupy for sale half, a block from Julie’s apartment. Having worked at Ray’s family-owned flower shop near Bayshore Town Center throughout high school and college, Julie’s combination of experience and training were just right to jump into the flower business. The two decided in a matter of three days to buy the business that has existed in Shorewood for over 70 years.

The relationship works because of clear roles — Annette on the books and on the phone, Julie designing the flowers and getting orders ready. Both go on deliveries, while Annette visits the local greenhouse that provides many of the plants for the shop. Julie put the shop on the Internet and on Facebook .

What do they do when stress hits?

“We listen to Karen Carpenter,” Julie says “and look at baby pictures of my brother’s twin girls, who just turned one.” 

The team steers clear of snacks, but occasionally under stress will “test” the line of locally created Burke Chocolates they carry, also a local mother-daughter team in a family-owned business.

Julie appreciates that her mother knows she is doing her perfect work, and that adds to the harmony. 

“I’m the happiest person I know with regards to work,” she said.

Julie said it takes a special relationship to work with mom

"You have to leave family stuff aside, and keep work at work,” she said.

The duo was featured in Shorewood Today Magazine in March 2011 for receiving the Shorewood Green award. 

Another Shorewood store has received accolades as well. at 1918 E. Capitol Dr., which opened in 2007, was rated best women’s clothing shop 2008 and 2009 in the Best of Milwaukee contest run by Shepherd Express. It is also a mother-daughter venture, co-owned by Mary and Liz LeBlanc, and, like Annette and Julie, they started the business together.

Liz is enthusiastic about coming to work every day. 

“I love my job," Liz said. "Working with my mom is part of what makes it great.” 

She says Mary brings an IT Management background, while she has retail experience. 

“My mom brings the evenness to the business, and an ability to dissect situations and identify the business solutions to the parts,” she said.

Liz says that the thing that surprised her most in working with her mother was discovering the similarity in their clothing tastes and styles.

“I think we both agree that it’s been a really positive experience,” Liz said.  “Every year we get better at being willing and able to compromise and recognize each other’s strengths.”

So, how do they deal with stress?

“We take turns,” said Liz, “we don’t stress simultaneously.” 

As Liz expects her first child, she is hoping to have a third generation in the business.

The Establishment, 4503 N. Oakland Ave., has seen three generations of women in business in Shorewood. The Establishment’s owner, Carly Flynn, is a third generation Shorewood store owner, after her mother and grandmother had businesses in the same location for over 25 years.  

Carly says she recevied some great advice from her mother.

“My mom gave me a credit card at 17 and told me to always make sure to pay my bills on time," she said. "To this day, I have never been in debt.”

Mother’s Day Facebook giveaway

To allow everyone in Shorewood to celebrate their mothers, the Shorewood Business Improvement District (BID) is giving away generous gifts from a Shorewood Business every day from April 25 through May 8 to fans of the Facebook page. "Like" their Facebook page to enter.