Winnetka’s Marie Tillman understands busy moms and those who commit their lives to service, and she’s here to help on both counts. PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR
Marie Tillman is a busy woman. A full-time working mom of five and the chairman of the board of the Pat Tillman Foundation, she found herself struggling to “do it all” and was looking for ways to simplify.
“I was thinking, how do I do it all and make sure everyone is fed and has clothes on?” she says.
She started using grocery and other delivery services but was looking for something in kid’s clothing. There were a few subscription services available, but they were monthly, and Tillman wanted kid’s clothes on an as-needed basis. So she decided to start her own company, making her busier than ever but saving lots of other moms time in the process.
Mac & Mia is an online clothing retailer that’s essentially Trunk Club for kids. Customers register through the website, go through a style survey, make any notes about specific items they want or need, then are paired with a stylist. That stylist curates outfits and sends them to the customer, who can have their kids try on the items at home, keep what they like, and send back anything they don’t. Customers are only charged for what they keep.
“It’s so much easier and convenient than dragging your kids to the store and having them try on clothes there,” Tillman says.
She started Mac & Mia in 2014 and it has grown quickly.
“We’re the only ones I know of that are doing it this way, where you can pick and choose what you want, do it on-demand, get a great variety and not have to sign up monthly,” Tillman says.
There are other companies that provide on-demand clothing services, but they manufacture their own clothing, so you get one brand in a box. Mac & Mia curates from both major and boutique brands, so you get a mix of styles in every order.
Though starting a company is time consuming, Tillman wouldn’t trade the last few years.
“I love it. I feel like I’m learning something new every day,” she says. “Plus, I can incorporate my kids too, whether as models or if I have questions about fit. It’s a way for me to keep them close to what I’m doing, which has been really fun.”
Outside of Mac & Mia, Tillman remains very involved in the Pat Tillman Foundation. The foundation was set up in 2004 to honor her first husband who died while serving in Afghanistan, after leaving the Arizona Cardinals to join the U.S. Army.
Each year, the foundation grants 60 academic scholarships to military veterans, with the goal of building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others.
“One of the things I love about the foundation is seeing our more than 500 alumni around the country all focused on having an impact,” Tillman says. “It’s great to see them pick up causes and be passionate and proactive in their approach.”
Over the last eight years, the foundation has evolved to include spouses in the scholarship program and to have a focus on higher education and community. The program aims to support scholars not only financially, but also by providing a supportive community and hosting things like a summer leadership summit in Chicago.
“For many of our scholars, the opportunity to engage with each other has been life changing,” Tillman says.
The main fundraiser for the foundation is Pat’s Run, officially held in Tempe, Arizona, but with Honor Runs and Remote Runners around the country. This year’s 13th annual run was held on April 22.
“It’s been amazing for me to see each year, as we continue to grow, to see people still excited to come out and participate,” Tillman says.
For more information about Pat’s Run visit pattillmanfoundation.org, and to simplify your life and make sure your kids are always dressed in time for school, visit macandmia.com.
