Anya A’Hearn: Little Pink Line

Who: Anya A’Hearn

What: LittlePinkLine.com, Maternity clothing for rock’n moms with attitude

Where: San Francisco

Number of Employees: 1

Startup Cash: $7,000

Number of Kids: 1 toddler, 1 dog, 3 cats, 1 fish and 1 husband

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Our Interview with Anya

Mommy’s Company (MC): How did you come up with your business idea?

Anya A’Hearn (AA): After getting pregnant, I was severely annoyed at the lack of funny maternity clothes.

All the maternity clothes were either super expensive or super frumpy. Nothing seemed to have a sense of humor about the whole maternity situation and nothing could be even remotely considered cool.

Come on not only is pregnancy beautiful and amazing, but it is also funny and sexy. You’re gassy, you’re bloated, you’re feet swell up, you either want to eat everything in site or puke it up, but you get the best boobs of your life and you have a million hormones running through you.

I wanted to wear maternity shirts that laughed at all that and also celebrated the new super feminine me plus one.

MC: How did you make your vision a reality?

AA: At first it started out as more of a project on the side while working from home.

If there was ever a minute of down time between my corporate job and the baby (I had no daycare or nanny and often would breast feed, knit and be on a conference call at the same time).

I would do research on manufacturing costs, or how to start and online business, etc. Once I had a business plan together and figured out how to create the business with a minimum of startup costs and had a confident ability that my product would sell there was no turning back. I am also very lucky to have a supportive husband who encouraged me to pursue my idea.

MC: What was your most exciting entrepreneur moment?

AA: Being picked up by a national retailer over the summer and seeing my product displayed on their huge website as a featured product was amazing.

MC: What was your biggest obstacle?

AA: I think as a work at home mom it is very hard to compartmentalize you time between work and family. You have know your priorities and make sure you can have time for your company, kids, husband, friends and yourself.

MC: How did you overcome the obstacle?

AA: Trying to do everything at once can be very stressful so realizing that there will always be more to do and tomorrow is another day to get it done is helpful. Also I finally broke down and got a sitter for a few hours a week so that I could take on the really mind consuming tasks like accounting with guaranteed peace and quiet.

MC: What surprises you most about being an entrepreneur?

AA: How emotionally involving it is. When things go wrong I can’t help but stay up at night worrying, but when I make a sale I am on top of the world!