| In today's society, this essential household item is | | | | bachelor's degree from Kansas State University and |
| used in negative connotations. If a sports team finds | | | | worked as a computer programmer, most recently |
| itself in last place with the worst record in the league, | | | | for Symantec in Lake Mary. He started exploring |
| it is referred to as a doormat. Are you unwilling to | | | | other career options when the economy slowed |
| stand up for yourself? If so, chances are you are | | | | down. |
| called a doormat since you allow others to walk all | | | | "I sensed that I could eventually lose my job due to |
| over you. | | | | layoffs, and I had always wanted to work for |
| Alan and Jill Mecca have a different opinion of the | | | | myself, so Jill and I started looking into business that |
| doormat. They believe in the old adage that you only | | | | were for sale," Mecca said. "We wanted an |
| have one chance to make a first impression. When | | | | interesting niche, and we saw the potential in the |
| guests visit your home, what do they notice before | | | | Personalized Doormats Company. After all, everyone |
| they ring your doorbell? It's the doormat. Recognizing | | | | needs a doormat. |
| that every home – and even every commercial | | | | "We preferred a business that was already in |
| building – needs a doormat, the Meccas | | | | existence because we thought it would be too risky |
| purchased The Company in 2008. Simply put, these | | | | to start from scratch considering that we have three |
| husband-and-wife entrepreneurs revere the doormat. | | | | children and we could not take a drastic hit to our |
| "When you think about it, a doormat says a lot | | | | income," Mecca added. |
| about your personality," Jill Mecca said. "And it's your | | | | The Meccas have complementay skills. Alan has a |
| first line of defense in keeping your home cleaner." | | | | technology background while Jill, a University of |
| The Personalized Doormats Company ( is an online | | | | Florida graduate who earned an advertising degree, is |
| company that offers a wide variety of customized | | | | proficient in marketing and sales. The couple has |
| doormats for homes and businesses. There are mats | | | | three children – Daniel, 11; Katie, 9; and Elise, 5 |
| with basic designs that you can include your family's | | | | – and they are home-schooled. |
| last name (such as The Smith's). The company | | | | "I didn't quit my job right away. I was able to work |
| features aluminum doormats, wooden doormats, | | | | from home (for Symantec), so for six months I |
| rubber mats, digital photo doormats and even "Grand | | | | continued working full time at Symantec and helped |
| Entrance" doormats, which are larger than standard | | | | operate Personalized Doormats in my spare time," |
| mats and are suitable for lavish homes with wide and | | | | Alan Mecca said. "At some point, to make the |
| elegant front doors. | | | | business thrive, you have to take the plunge and put |
| The pet mats are popular, Alan Mecca says. They | | | | all your effort into it the company. In March 2008, I |
| are used to place water and food dishes on and | | | | left Symantec to devote all my attention to |
| minimize messes on the floor. The Meccas donate $2 | | | | Personalized Doormats." |
| to Paw Partners, a Central Florida animal rescue | | | | The decision was risky but worthwhile. The Meccas |
| organization, for each pet mat that is sold. Some | | | | saw their company's monthly sales double in the first |
| customers place a beloved pet's image on a digital | | | | six months. After buying the company, they |
| photo doormat, which can also feature images of | | | | expanded the lines of doormats with more styles, |
| vacations and class photos among other photographs. | | | | redesigned the web site and added vendors. Creating |
| The Personalized Doormats Company does sell | | | | the Write Your Own Doormat series and adding |
| non-personalized mats with standard designs, but | | | | commercial mats contributed to the growth. The |
| most of their customers prefer creating a doormat | | | | commercial presence includes military bases |
| that is just their style, Jill Mecca says. Thus the | | | | worldwide, churches, schools and businesses. Michelin, |
| reason it is no surprise that the company's Write | | | | Fox (for the "24" premiere party), Oberto Beef |
| Your Own Mat series is generated substantial | | | | Jerky and even Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers |
| business. The selection of designs for this series is | | | | have been among their customers. |
| plentiful and includes dog breeds, college sports, | | | | The Meccas are expanding their commercial presence |
| animals, camo mats (for hunting and outdoors | | | | and adding more manufacturers. They are also |
| enthusiasts), leisure, sports, military, baby/child, | | | | growing the Write Your Own Mat series to include |
| religion and wedding categories. The industry | | | | other languages. |
| doormats for commercial purposes are also popular. | | | | "Some people might think that doormats are not |
| "When we bought the business, we created the | | | | very exciting, but we think that they can serve as a |
| Write Your Own Mat series to differentiate ourselves | | | | conversation piece while keeping your house clean at |
| from our competitors," Alan Mecca explained. "These | | | | the same time," Jill Mecca said. "By offering |
| mats really allow you to express yourself and your | | | | customers the chance to personalize their doormats, |
| interests." | | | | these mats become a more interesting part of your |
| For Alan Mecca, the company itself has given him an | | | | home. |
| outlet to pursue a longtime dream. He earned a | | | | |