bollyINSIDE with: Sarena Udani of PajamaSutra

Good monday morning! I’m delighted to present to you our latest BollyInsider interview, Sarena Udani of Pajama Sutra! If you’re not yet familiar with her stylish, functional and wonderfully affordable pajamas then you’re in for a real treat.

Mompreneurship has been a great career move for many mothers. As this trend of Mompreneurs gains interest, there’s a greater understanding and acceptance of women making the choice to actively attempt to balance work and family. I chatted with Sarena to get her stance on the state of Mompreneurship. I have such admiration for Mompreaneurs because they not only have created GREAT products, but they’ve worked their fannies off to get where they are today! As we learn from each other, we find our own ways to be the best moms we can be, and be the best in our careers as well. Read on for words of wisdom from the lovely and oh-so-talented Sarena Udani…

——PAJAMASUTRA——

Tell us about your company PajamaSutra, an online Indian-inspired pajama boutique?
PajamaSutra is a feminine and comfortable line of sleepwear made from collectable cotton prints from India, with ultra-flattering details tailored to compliment a woman’s body.

I love the name of your company – PajamaSutra. How did you come up with it?
The fact that the word “pyjama” originally came from India fits so well with the inspiration and aesthetic of my line. I think the name PajamaSutra conveys a sense of playfulness, and I love that the word “Sutra” also means “thread” in Hindi. There is more behind the name, though. I decided when I was in third grade that I wanted to change my name. I went from Pooja to Sarena on my own, without telling my parents. My last name changed from Jaggia to Udani after I got married, so I went from PJ to SU. I incorporated both sets of initials into the PajamaSutra name as an homage to my roots.

Are you hoping to expand PajamaSutra throughout the country?
Definitely, both online and in retail stores. I am also adding new styles and prints this spring.

What is your design background?
I studied Design at UCLA and continued with it at Stanford for my Master’s Degree.

Were you creative as a child?
I would sit and draw for hours! Art was my favorite subject at school. I knew from an early age that I wanted to do something creative.

What propelled you to found your own company?
Most of the women in my family are entrepreneurs, and I grew up wanting my own business. In college, I started my own freelance web and graphic design business, which taught me a lot about entrepreneurship. By the time I got to Stanford, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. That program produces an uniquely high number of business owners and CEOs.

What are some of your favorite textures and fabrics?
I love natural fabrics! With sleepwear and intimates, it is even more important to use breathable, natural fibers. I love cotton, and am interested in incorporating other natural fabrics into the line, like bamboo – a soft and sustainable fabric.

How would you describe your personal design aesthetic?
Simple, balanced, clean. I love to play with color and prints, and will choose a geometric, modern and clear print over a fussy floral any day.

Best business advice you’ve been given?
To think big! Many women entrepreneurs sell themselves short, but it is important to aim higher.

Creative businesswoman you admire?
There are many, but I think that Mayura Kona, a colleague of mine from UCLA, is truly inspirational. Her business, One Thread Fair Trade, is a LA based company that works to train villages of women in South India in textile arts, and they in turn create the cushions that Mayura designs. These women were victim to poverty and domestic violence, and through this work are able to provide for their families, educate their children, and really transform their lives. Designers can often become self-indulgent, and I think Mayura is a shining example of how to produce your own designs while thinking of others first.

How have you handled the stress?
I take active measures to remove it from my life. If it means I move leisurely in my business, I am okay with that. I have goals for the year, and give myself plenty of time to achieve them. I think that is the luxury of owning your own business; you are your own boss!

——ON MOTHERHOOD——

What’s the hardest thing about motherhood (name, age)?
My daughter Anya just turned two, and the hardest part about the past two years has been learning how to let go of trying to be the perfect mom, perfect wife and perfect entrepreneur. I think it is possible to have it all, but you have to can’t do it all at the same time, and it takes a lot of work to balance everything. Anya is growing up so fast, and I don’t want to miss a second with her.

Is there such a thing as a typical workday for you?
My business runs in “bursts” and is not like the steady, continuous occupation of being a full-time, stay at home mom. When my daughter is busy with playdoh, I know I have about fifteen minutes to check email or work on new styles. When she is napping, I have a couple hours to get things done. It isn’t as productive as full time, uninterrupted work, but it is a lot more interesting and challenging!

What do you want your daughter to grow up knowing?
That she can have a fulfilling career, and a family, and not feel like she has to sacrifice one for the other.

With your busy work schedule, how do you carve out quality time with your family?
On weekends we spend a lot of family time together, but on weekdays we have to make an effort. We recently discussed changing our bedtime routine so that my husband and I put Anya to bed together, reading books and talking about our day. We turn off the TV, cellphones, computer and all the lights, and watch the sunset through the window. It is my favorite time of day.

What’s the best part of being a working mom?
I feel like I truly have the best of both worlds!

Can you reveal a recent “tough mom moment”?
It involved an enormous diaper blowout, being away from home, and no spare clothes. Luckily we were at the mall, so I could buy her new clothes. I will spare you the details, but let’s just say that I had to buy new socks in addition to new pants and top, and that it took me about an hour and an entire package of wipes before we were good as new.

Who makes dinner most days?
Anya and I do! She is fascinated with the kitchen and wants to be involved as much as she can. My husband is a neurosurgical resident, and works long hours. Sometimes he comes home long after Anya is asleep.

Have working and being a mom ever conflicted for you?
Yes, during my first year of motherhood. I stopped working completely for about 10 months! The transition to motherhood was intense for me, and I really struggled with the lack of sleep. I gave myself the time I needed to get back up on my feet, and waited until I was truly ready to begin working.

What has been the biggest surprise in becoming a mother?
Well, I knew I would love my daughter, but I was surprised at how much! I would do anything for her. It is a wonderful, fulfilling feeling that is unmatched.

What words of wisdom do you hope to pass on to your daughter?
I want her to have fun with life, and not to take things too seriously. And not to be in a rush to grow up! I am reliving my childhood through her, and I see how wonderful it is to be little and carefree.

What would you tell women who struggle with working-mom guilt?
It is important to examine where the guilt is coming from. Is it internal, or is it the result of external pressure? Is it coming from your past or present? There are so many influencers: your childhood, societal pressure, your family, and your friends. Once you identify the source, you can decide if it is something to address, or to just get over it.

One of the toughest times for moms of young children is leaving for work. How do you handle those hard goodbyes?
I think sometimes it is harder for the moms to leave! Kids may be upset for a minute or two, and then are fine. They just need to be secure and know that you will return. I think it is a mistake to sneak out; it creates anxiety and distrust. My daughter went through intense separation anxiety, and we worked around it, playing a lot of peek-a-boo games until she was comfortable knowing that “mommy always comes back”. I am lucky in that I work for myself, so I had the flexibility to wait until she was ready – and since I work from home, I am never far away!

Do you ever feel it’s hard to continue to fulfill yourself professionally and be fully engaged with your daughter?
It is difficult, but I’ve learned to be creative with it! If I am working on new designs, then I will take out her markers and paper and we will both sit and draw together. If I am working with fabrics, I give her some swatches to play with too. If I have to sit on the computer for a few minutes, then I pull out her toy laptop and we sit together. She loves to imitate me, and I love being able to overlap work and playtime. It makes everything more fun!

I am always interested in different styles of child rearing that work for different families. What’s your parenting style?
We began with the principles of attachment parenting, which was a style that worked well for us since I was at home. Now that Anya is older, we feel like we made a good decision for our family. She is secure in our bond, and we see that it gives her self-assurance and confidence.

What kind of mom do you want to be?
Lately there is a lot of talk about “tiger moms”, “helicopter moms,” and even “elephant moms.” Honestly, I just want to be a regular, human mom. I’m not perfect, and I don’t expect my daughter to be either. I just want her to be a happy, confident, good person and I want to be worthy of being her mother!

source: Pajama Sutra

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1 Comment

1

• Aruna Bua says:
  March 26, 2011 at 2:06 pm
  

  Very nicely said Pooja. I totally enjoyed all your answers and comments. As always it is fun to hear your sweet talks. Girls are enjoying your Pajamas. I see it on Sarika almost every evening.!

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