Griz-Owned: Tim & Alina McCue
A lot of couples share the same interests and hobbies whether it be skiing, biking, gardening or camping. For University of Montana Alumni Tim and Alina McCue, that shared passion may just be entrepreneurship. The spouses are making their mark on the Missoula business community with their own respective business ventures: Toiffer Pet Outfitter and Montana Imaging Center. It’s the next chapter in the couple’s story — one that’s taken them across the country and through a few career changes.
During her undergraduate studies in her native Argentina, Alina started working at a nearby UM field research site. When she was offered a spot on the research team’s next site in Arizona, she jumped at the chance. Within a few weeks, the team was forced to evacuate due to fires. They packed up and returned to Montana.
“That was the first time I saw the University of Montana and Missoula that I had heard so much about,” she said.
It wasn’t the last time she would be on campus. Alina accepted a position at another UM research site in Venezuela, before returning to Missoula to earn her master’s degree in wildlife biology.
Tim made his way to UM after high school in Billings. He had intentions to become an opera singer, but after taking a part-time job at the student health center on campus, he found himself drawn to a very different field.
“Medicine just kept being there,” he said. “I thought it was cool because you use science and talk to people.”
Tim graduated with a degree in microbiology and attended medical school at the University of Washington. After a fellowship in sports medicine, he returned to UM to serve as the first head team physician for Griz football.
Alina was working at Five Valleys Land Trust in Missoula when she met Tim through a mutual friend.
“Of course, I Google-stalked him,” she joked. “I like fly-fishing and I knew that he loved fly-fishing too.”
That led to a first date on the Bitterroot River. Both the fishing and the date were a success. Less than a year later, Alina joined Tim in a move to Seattle for another medical residency. She worked in development for the University of Washington before another move, this time to Augusta, Georgia for Tim’s radiology residency.
The couple eventually found their way back to Missoula, getting married and welcoming two children along the way. Tim worked as a radiologist and Alina as a development officer for the UM Foundation.
When the pandemic shut down most activities and forced work online, the McCue family added another member.
“I really wanted a puppy,” said Alina. Her husband and kids, however, weren’t so sold on the idea.
“So, we compromised and we got a puppy,” Tim joked.
Excited to welcome bring a puppy home, Alina went shopping for supplies.
“I went all over town looking for what I wanted. Sustainable, beautiful, high-quality, local stuff,” she said. “I couldn’t really find anything that fit that description.”
The struggle to find the products she had in mind sparked an idea. Shortly after, she was talking with a friend about how the pandemic had changed their perception of time and what’s important.
“We started dreaming like ‘well, what would you do’ and I said I would open a dog store downtown,” said Alina.
Within weeks, the wheels were in motion to make her idea a reality. She left her job, focusing on the store full-time. She developed a business plan and found a prime downtown location.
“The project just took form and I knew I would always regret it if I didn’t try it,” she said.
In June 2021, Toiffer Pet Outfitter opened for business. The shop features pet supplies from local artisans and environmentally conscious food producers. A second location recently opened on Third Street near the Good Food Store.
Tim was inspired to become a business owner to fill a different need in the community. Working as a telehealth radiologist, he had seen the lack of a true local option for patients that needed imaging.
“I wanted to bring back small-town local care,” he said.
Tim began the process of finding the right funding sources and the right space. In late 2022, Montana Imaging Center was up and running.
With accessible pricing and a community-first mission, Tim is already seeing the benefit of the business on local patients.
“It’s fun for me to see people come in and be excited that we exist,” he said. “Nobody wants an MRI, but it’s fun that people have a good experience getting one.”
The emphasis on community is a key part of Toiffer’s business model as well. The store has hosted a vaccine clinic and fundraisers for nonprofit organizations.
“I just find so much joy in giving and being supportive of the community,” said Alina. “The whole point of Toiffer was not just to be a business, but to be a community hub, too.”
Are you an alum who started your own business? We want to connect with you! UMAA is working on more alumni-owned business features, gift guides, and ways for businesses to show off their Griz spirit. Submit your business.