The princesses of Katie Sartino’s business, Once Upon a Dream Performances at Rockford City Market. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

From glamourous to grungy, owning a small business allows for freedom, flexibility and fun that may be missing from a typical 9-to-5 job.

For two local women, starting their own businesses has afforded them the rare luxury of truly looking forward to their workday.

DeKalb County resident, Tara Shane is living every little girl’s fantasy each time she goes to work.

Shane’s business, A Royal Remembrance, LLC, specializes in providing appearances by royal characters for children’s parties and other events. She explains how she got started, “… My little neighbor girl, Addy, was turning 3 and she really wanted Cinderella to attend her party. I told her mother that I could make a costume and ‘play’ the princess at her party. I showed up at the door and Addy was absolutely in awe. She could not believe Cinderella was at her house. And to top it off, she had absolutely no idea that it was really me! After I left the party I was on cloud nine. It was such a thrill to entertain Addy and her guests that I knew that I had to create a business out of princess performing.”

Shane also found inspiration for her business from a friend.

“Katie Sartino originally came up with the idea and started her own business, Once Upon a Dream Performances. I liked the idea so much that I called her and asked if she would mind if I started a similar business in the DeKalb area,” Shane said. “Katie was very supportive and we both agreed our businesses were in

Kylie Killam gets a hug from Snow White of Once Upon a Dream Performances at Rockford City Market. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

different markets and would not compete. In fact, we actually collaborate on various events, share costume pieces, and pick up each other’s parties when a substitute is needed.”

A Royal Remembrance has a cast of seven princesses and two princes. Shane’s college background in theatre has given her excellent training to play the parts of several princesses. She also designs and sews many of the royal costumes used in the performances. Shane started her business almost three years ago and has handpicked her cast.

“Our characters are very professional and talented actors, musicians and artists who stay in character during the entirety of every event they attend,” she said.

Since A Royal Remembrance has been in business, Shane has

Tara Shane of A Royal Remembrance as Belle. (Photo by Jen McGee photography)

expanded its repertoire beyond party appearances.

“In addition to attending birthday parties, we have offered princess parties at local libraries, held holiday parties for children and families and hosted ‘Princess Lessons’ which teach little girls the virtues of true princesses. A Royal Remembrance has also hosted Cinderella’s Royal Wedding in both Rochelle and Bloomington. This provides little princesses and their families an opportunity to attend the wedding of Cinderella and Prince Charming and celebrate the happy occasion at a dinner reception,” she said.

According to Shane, future plans for the business include, “… adding new characters to create more diversity on our royal court. A new princess will be joining A Royal Remembrance very soon and a few larger events are also in the works for the near future. Our princesses will continue to travel to meet little girls and attend birthday parties, but eventually we would like to open a very unique party and event location.”

Marley Spain meets Rapunzel and Cinderella from Once Upon a Dream Performances at Rockford City Market. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Undoubtedly, Shane has found a unique niche in the entertainment business. For her, though, owning A Royal Remembrance is more than just playing dress-up for youngsters. “I find such a thrill in performing … especially for

children. They really love to sing along with the princesses and are simply awestruck by their favorite characters,” she said. “It really is rewarding work when you bring a smile to a child’s face. I have been a dance teacher to young children, so I have experience in leading and engaging kids. Being able to sew the costumes has also been helpful! For all these reasons, I thought such a venture was the perfect flexible job for a stay-at-home mom like me.”

For more information on A Royal Remembrance visit aroyalremembrance@yahoo.com

Jamaya Perez with Mermaid Princess from Once Upon a Dream Performances at Rockford City Market. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Kim Garton’s small business, Rovers Leftovers, is definitely not glamourous work but the service she provides to her customers is invaluable.

“Basically, I pick up poop for a living,” Garton said. “I pick up

pet waste for people who don’t want to do it. Some people just don’t have time and some just think it is disgusting.”

Garton has been in business for about two years and also provides pet sitting, dog walking and nail trimming services for a wide variety of pets.

“I also will go to people’s homes and trim their pet’s nails. That way they don’t have to drag them to the vet or the groomer to get it done. I have trimmed nails on dogs, cats, birds, hedgehogs, lizards and guinea pigs,” she said.

Ballerina Princess with Kylie Killam at Rockford City Market. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Garton says she prefers using a Dremel tool to shape a pet’s nails as opposed to cutting them with a clipper. “This is a trick of the trade,” she said, “using a Dremel allows me to shorten the nail without cutting into the quick of an animal’s paw.”

After working in the medical field for several years, Garton was looking for a change of pace. She found the inspiration for starting Rovers Leftovers during a casual, everyday conversation.

“I worked in healthcare for over 25 years and one day at work, I had finally had enough and quit my job,” she said. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do and just kidding around, my husband said I should pick up poop for people. I said, ‘great idea,’ so I ordered a couple books on the internet, read up on it, figured out a name and started to advertise. Within a few hours, I had a couple

Mermaid Princess with Audrey Read at Rockford City Market. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

people that were interested in my service.”

Freedom and flexibility are the two main reasons Garton loves being her own boss. Although Rovers Leftovers is based in Rockton, Garton plans her work week to cover a large part of Winnebago County.

“I get to pick my own hours and I get to sit and play with dogs as part of my job,” she said. “Right now, I work Monday through Thursday, I don’t work on the weekends, but occasionally, I’ll work on Friday.”

Garton’s rates for pet waste pick-up are $48 per month for one dog and $10 for each additional dog. She will pick up waste year-round and in any kind of weather except for lightning.

Kim Garton picks up dog waste. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

The tools and equipment Garton uses for waste pick-up are cleaned and sanitized before each job and she can haul away pet waste as well.

“Many people think that dog waste makes good fertilizer, which is not true at all,” she said. “Dog waste has been classified as toxic waste

and it also attracts rats, as the rats feed off of the waste. So, it makes sense to clean up dog poop and to have it hauled away.”

Rovers Leftovers has about 25 customers so far and Garton hopes to add at least 10 customers each year.

“My goal is to provide service for about 50-70 customers a week. I can also provide service for apartment complexes, doggie day cares and other places where dogs stay,” she said. The website for Rovers Leftovers is roversleftovers.biz

Kim Garton, owner of Rovers Leftovers trims Hank’s nails. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

A Royal Remembrance and Rovers Leftovers are two vastly different businesses that range from the delightful and dainty to the down and dirty. Their proprietors, Tara Shane and Kim Garton have each found an occupation that allows for fun, flexibility and freedom while providing unique services for communities in northern Illinois.

Kim Garton’s business, Rovers Leftovers. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

— Glamourous or gross: small businesses fill necessary niche –