McKenzie grad Merrill (Langfitt) Guerra is marketing her own line of childrens' clothing, available online and by personal representative.

Ypsilanti, Mich. - Twenty years removed from her alma mater - McKenzie High School, Merrill (Langfitt) Guerra has found both a niche market and a passion to produce and serve its clientele. After working as the construction supervisor in the cell phone tower construction in Washington state, designing seating for cars at Johnson Controls in Michigan, and establishing a chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers, Merrill decided to pursue an MBA at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. Her school project led her to develop a business model to fill the underserved clothing needs of plus-size children. That concept turned to reality and now the McKenzie grad is marketing her line of clothes online and by personal representatives.

The mother of two said her research revealed the existing providers were fulfilling 16 percent of the $3.2 billion market for plus-sized girls. Many plus-sized youth had to seek clothing in the clothing aisles of teens and women, which creates an adverse stigma for the plus-size youth. Merrill seeks to fill the niche for plus-size clothing and avoid the "weight stigma" associated with it. She created a "social support network" for her clothing line and direct sales in the home through authorized agents. The clothes are sold one-to-one or in a party setting. Before and after the sale, a support network of customers and agents are ready to answer questions.

According to the Web site, www.realkidzclothing.com, "...the company is the first company to provide a complete line of clothing to plus-size girls between the ages of 5-12, coupled with an online social network for the parents of these children to help them support their daughters and make healthy lifestyle choices for their families.

Children model clothes designed by Merrill Guerra.

"The idea for RealKidz came to Founder, Merrill Guerra, after experiencing the frustration of trying to find clothing for her plus-size daughter. After sharing this frustration with other mothers, she found she was not alone. Through the encouragement of colleagues at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business where she is a student, she formulated a business plan and secured initial funding from family to start the business."

The spring line of clothes will launch in April along with the consultant network, which will initially be concentrated in Michigan.

Merrill wants her product to be produced domestically. Initially, the test products were produced in Chicago and the winter line in Los Angeles. Future lines will be produced by the Michigan State Industrial Companies using inmate labor. The move provides inmate employment, which statistically reduces the recidivism, and allows RealKidz to provide a high quality line of clothing.

About Merrill - The 1988 graduate of MHS is the sister of John and Sandy Langfitt of Los Angeles, where John, the former academic dean at Bethel College, works for the Presbyterian Foundation, USA. Merrill was the 1988 valedictorian at MHS. Her sister, Laurie was the 1985 salutatorian. Both enrolled in classes at Bethel during their high school years and graduated from Stanford University in three years. Both hold MBAs.

Merrill and husband, Juan, met in Washington state where he worked as an engineer for Boeing and she worked at Strata Communications. She later worked as the director of Children's Youth Ministries in Washington.

In the year 2000, the couple and daughter Gabriella moved to Michigan, where the couple worked at Johnson Controls. Second child Ruben was born and she successfully founded the 17th national chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers before pursuing her master's degree at the University of Michigan.

To contact Merrill, visit the Web site, phone her at 734-483-5333 or e-mail info@realkidzinc.com.