If you can raise a couple of rascals, chances are you can do anything.

That seems to be the case for Ancaster entrepreneurs Kathleen Malarczuk and Coreen Sullivan.

The two launched an online retail store, raisingrascals.com, in May and were quickly filling out orders from Ontario, California and Australia.

Then another entrepreneur Down Under wanted to know about doing a franchise.

"That's something we thought we'd do down the road, but now we're starting to really research it," said Malarczuk.

Raising Rascals offers unique kids' clothing, decor, personalized gifts and lifestyle accessories.

"It's been a lot of legwork finding these suppliers," Malarczuk said. "That's what we strive for, finding something you won't see in the big stores."

That includes Little Soles shoes by Calgary designer Jessica Jacobs, custom-painted decor items and groovy diaper bags.

All that has led to the nomination of the online store to Canada's Top Mom Entrepreneur contest hosted by savvymom.ca.

Not bad for a company that hasn't even advertised yet.

"We're definitely surprised," said Malarczuk.

Now the pair are trying to get shoppers to vote for them either on their website or on savvymom.ca.

The top prize in the Savvymom contest comes with a $17,000 cash and professional services package to help the entrepreneur(s) take the business to the next level.

Competition is stiff. Dozens of other online businesses are listed on the site.

Malarczuk, a part-time kindergarten teacher, said she's been inspired by other mom entrepreneurs she's read about or met.

"The challenge about running a business as a mom is time," she said. "But just seeing other mothers do it ... (Women) are powerful. You just have to get out there and do it."

lmarr@thespec.com

905-526-3992