FROM THE START: A chat with the founder of Mamalux

Too often, we learn from other founders only after they’ve “already made it,” but there’s a lot to gain from their journeys as early-stage entrepreneurs. FROM THE START is an interview series with founders from our 2021–2022 Incubator that will trace their startup stories from the beginning, reveal some of the resources helping them overcome the bumps, and point out ways you can help them thrive.

Since joining the Incubator in May, all of the companies have been hustling to get their brands and businesses out there. Now it’s time to get to know them!

Some answers have been edited slightly for brevity.

What’s been the journey that’s led you to start your company?

I spent the first 10 years of my career as a sports journalist, so my 20-something self would find it hard to believe that I’m now the founder of a breastfeeding apparel company.

A few things that led to where I am now: I got laid off from my job at Sports Illustrated and went viral, the exposure led to an interesting opportunity to pivot from journalism and help launch an e-commerce startup — which gave me the framework for starting my own a few years later — and then, of course, I had a baby.

So many people say that having kids changes everything, and for me, that’s absolutely been true for both my personal and professional life. The early struggles of motherhood led to the idea for Mamalux and completely altered my career trajectory.

What’s the problem that your business is solving?

Nearly every breastfeeding mother deals with milk leakage at night, yet there are very few types of solutions out there for stopping leaks — and hardly any that prioritize comfort. The most common solution is disposable or reusable nursing pads, but those need to be worn inside of a bra to stay in place. And who can honestly say they want to wear a bra to bed?

I designed Mamalux as an all-in-one solution: a breastfeeding-friendly nightgown with washable, removable pads — no bra necessary. The absorbent pads, which attach via a soft, Velcro-like fastening, can simply be tossed into the wash between wears.

What has helped you overcome the bumps you’ve encountered so far in your entrepreneurial journey?

I think just getting started was the hardest part for me. I’ve heard that many times before, but didn’t understand it until recently. It took a while for me to convince myself it was worth the cost and effort to seek out a designer and have them create a technical sketch of my idea. The final product 2.5 years later looks absolutely nothing like the initial sketch, but that first step is the reason Mamalux exists.

What does being an entrepreneur mean to you?

It’s taken me a while to feel comfortable calling myself an entrepreneur. Same goes for calling myself a founder. And I’m still not there with “CEO.” Even though I am all three of those things. I’m definitely feeling more accomplished than I ever have in my career, even though Mamalux hasn’t officially launched yet.

What’s next? How can our readers help you?

Mamalux is launching October 19 (my birthday!) on Kickstarter. The best way to help us reach our goal is by subscribing to emails at wearmamalux.com, sharing with anybody who might be interested, and following us on Instagram @wearmamalux.

Learn more about Mamalux.

Visit: https://wearmamalux.com/

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From fledgling tech companies, healthcare innovators, and nonprofits to makers, creators, services and shops, Ascender is for Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurs. We help businesses of all types in the Pittsburgh region start and build a business through education and connectivity. See how Ascender can help you.

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LINDSAY STUART was originally published in Ascender on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.