Carol Ackerman and Shel Polzin

All in the Family

Carol Ackerman and her daughter, Shel Polzin, had been planning to start their own business for a quite a while. In preparation, Shel had enrolled in BOI’s Business Beginning course. The duo just hadn’t decided what kind of business that would be.

In February 2006, when Ackerman lost her job of many years in publishing — and coincidentally discovered a business opportunity, the timing seemed right. She was visiting relatives in Madison, Wisc., and stopped in at one of her favorite shops, Wild Child Madison, where she happened to mention how nice it would be to have a Wild Child in Indianapolis. The clerk said, “You should talk to my father.”

Nine months later, Wild Child Indianapolis was born. The retail children’s clothing store opened for business on the day after Thanksgiving, 2006. Although it is not a franchise, it is the fourth Wild Child, with two operating in Illinois. It is owned and operated by Ackerman and Polzin and their respective spouses, Michael Watson and Clay Polzin, who licensed the Wild Child name in Indiana.

“It’s a family affair,” says Ackerman. The Polzins’ daughter Jenna, 6, also helps out as toy tester, and Lily, a friendly little Westie, as the shop dog. The family’s goal is to provide high-quality merchandise made in the United States or by fair-trade manufacturers around the world.

Shel completed BOI’s Business Beginnings course and manages the paperwork and finances; Ackerman took advantage of BOI’s Marketing workshops and handles the buying and merchandising. She’s currently enrolled in Networking for Success.

Located at 1742 E. 86th St., across from North Central High School in the Northview Mall, the new store carries the complete line of 100-percent-cotton Wild Child clothing, organic clothing from Blue Canoe and Earth Wear, and toys from Haba, Challenge & Fun, PDI, Alma Designs and Greater Gifts, plus delightful books for young children.

“Opening a new retail store is a lot like giving birth,” says Ackerman, “a lot of hard work, but well worth the effort.”