色花堂

E-commerce has become a substantial economic sector in recent years as new technological tools make small business ownership a feasible reality for many. Once-costly and time consuming business ventures are now more affordable and accessible, unleashing entrepreneurial innovation through startup companies across the country. Take Aquinas alumna Shannon (Eggebrecht) Rinckey, entrepreneur and mother of four in Signal Mountain, Tennessee.

Rinckey graduated from Aquinas in 2002, majoring in business administration and communication. Like many who have attended college, her initial school decision wasn鈥檛 easy. 鈥淚 was actually planning to go to a larger state school, but I ended up getting a really solid scholarship from Aquinas,鈥� Rinckey said. 鈥淪o when it came down to it, I could go to Aquinas, a great private school, and get half of my tuition paid, or I could go to the state school, where they do not give out scholarships as freely. So I decided to go to Aquinas, and I really loved my time here.鈥�

Reflecting on her time at Aquinas, Rinckey said that some of her favorite moments were interactions with professors, and the great interest they took in their disciplines and students. 鈥淢any of my professors at Aquinas really encouraged the idea that learning is a lifelong passion,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey inspire you.鈥�

Drawing on her education from Aquinas, her graduate degree in counseling from Western Michigan University, and personal experience as a mother of four, Rinckey founded Mama鈥檚 Got Mail in March 2013. A monthly subscription service for moms, Mama鈥檚 Got Mail sends monthly boxes that include items such as novels, beauty products, and crafting kits. 鈥淢oms are the heart of the family,鈥� said Rinckey. 鈥淢ama鈥檚 Got Mail wants to support and nurture moms, in a way that only other moms get; it鈥檚 fun mail for moms, mail that actually encourages them. I also include this kind of counseling aspect every month. I have a little self-checking sheet that I include that matches with the month鈥檚 theme. So that鈥檚 an opportunity for self-care and well-being for the mom, giving her a chance to think about her relationships and self-identity.鈥�

Rinckey entered Mama鈥檚 Got Mail into 48Hour Launch in April 2013, at the urging of friends and mentors. 48Hour Launch is a competition hosted in Chattanooga, Tennessee by The Company Lab, an organization dedicated to helping startup businesses in the Chattanooga region. The competition takes place within a 48 hour weekend, in which new businesses get free help and support from the local community.

However, this year鈥檚 48Hour Launch held a further twist. As the 鈥淔emale Founders Edition,鈥� the event specifically focused on local female startup businesses in e-commerce. The Jump Fund, a Chattanooga-based, female-led funding initiative for entrepreneurial women, cosponsored the competition.

All contestants came before a panel of judges to give final presentations on April 7, 2013, after completing a weekend of planning, building, and branding their companies. 鈥淚t was so gratifying,鈥� Rinckey said. 鈥淗ere we have the business community in Chattanooga listening to my presentation, engaging with me. It was such a powerful moment, and I鈥檒l never forget it.鈥�

In the end, Rinckey and Mama鈥檚 Got Mail finished first out of nine contestants, winning the 2013 competition. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 go into it expecting to win,鈥� she said, 鈥渟o everything that鈥檚 come from it has been really awesome.鈥�

Moving forward from her success at 48Hour Launch, Rinckey plans to hire a remote assistant and continue expanding her business. However, she wants to ensure that her professional and personal lives remain well-balanced. 鈥淚 love this company,鈥� she said, 鈥渂ut I don鈥檛 want it to take over my life. So I鈥檓 being really strategic about how my time is spent on the company. I want to be home with my kids and be involved with their lives.鈥�

When examining the mission of Mama鈥檚 Got Mail, Rinckey hoped that it reflects Aquinas College鈥檚 deep sense of community and service. 鈥淏y supporting moms,鈥� she said, 鈥渋t allows them to be better, more rounded people. They can love their families better, do their jobs better, and be happier people. I think the ripple effect is huge when they鈥檙e feeling really filled up and loved.鈥�

Having successfully graduated from Aquinas and found her way in the business world, Rinckey parted with this advice to students. 鈥淐ollege isn鈥檛 just about grades; it鈥檚 also about the lifelong skills that you learn - learning to think for yourself in defining who you are. Take advantage of the experiences that you will have at Aquinas.鈥�