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PLAINVILLE - Mom and pop shops move over, mom shops are moving in.

A busy local mom and her mom-in-law were honored last week on the run-up to Mother's Day, for operating one of the 200 best start-up mom-owned businesses in the country.

The duo, Sheri Fitzgerald of Plainville and Janet Fitzgerald of Canton, run MisFitz Creations LLC, which competed with thousands of other mom-owned businesses for honors in the "Leading Moms in Business Competition."

The contest was sponsored by startupnation.com.

MisFitz ranked 79th out of the 200 winners. More than 600,000 votes were cast in the nationwide contest that aimed to shine the light on hardworking moms everywhere who can handle hearth, home and the bottom line all at once. Sheri, who founded the business which specializes in hand-sewn handbags, recently gave birth to twins and holds a full-time job as a medical device product director. The multiple roles of mom, wife, employee and business owner creates a massive time crunch, but the aid of mom-in-law Janet, makes it all possible, Sheri said.

"Some may feel it's crazy to run a business with your mother-in-law, but we work really well together," she said. "Without each other, this business wouldn't exist."

The duo's line leader is a handbag which uses magnets to fasten different "embellishments" to change its look instantly.

They call it the VASARI, a name which they've trademarked.

MisFitz products can be viewed and purchased at www.MisFitz Creations.com.

GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.