An Interview With Vanessa Morcom
Embrace Flexibility: Entrepreneurship is full of unexpected challenges. For instance, when Target doubled their order close to the ship date, we had to adapt quickly. Flexibility allows you to pivot and find solutions under pressure.
As a part of our interview series called “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A Founder”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Amy Suzanne.
Amy Suzanne is a Founder + CEO of Pink Stork — a women-owned + women-operated company supporting women on their journey to motherhood. But more so, she is a wife and mama to 6 kids, whose motherhood journey has been filled with obstacles from infertility, severe morning sickness, and a deathbed scare, all with military deployments complicating these challenges. The most recent part of her journey has been navigating raising her youngest, Maximilian, who has Down syndrome. Through this, she has learned that we can all make a difference in the world + she desires to advocate for the Down Syndrome community.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
My journey began with a dire diagnosis and a bleak prognosis. Doctors told me I might never conceive, but miraculously I was able to get pregnant. During my first pregnancy doctors gave me just 24 hours to live.
During that pregnancy, complications arose, and I contracted a severe blood infection from an IV line. Both my baby and I faced a life-threatening situation, but with faith and trust in God, we pulled through. Dealing with Hyperemesis Gravidarum made it even more challenging — less than 2% of women suffer from this condition, which causes severe nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.
Through subsequent pregnancies, I battled debilitating Hyperemesis Gravidarum physically, mentally, and spiritually. It wasn’t until I sought holistic solutions, working with doctors, my mom (a registered nurse), and other professionals, that I found relief. This is how I created Pink Stork, I knew many women were going through issues during their journey to motherhood. I took what worked for me and developed all-natural products to support women through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and nursing.
Now, I have six beautiful children, one of whom, Maximilian, has Down syndrome. My own struggles highlighted the need for a supportive community focused on maternal wellness. Motivated by my journey, I founded Pink Stork, aiming to provide hope and support for women in motherhood.
My story stands as a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and community. With unwavering determination and support, even the darkest times can be overcome.
Can you tell us a story about the hard times that you faced when you first started your journey?
Entrepreneurship is all about carving your own path, which often means facing a lot of unknowns and finding the answers along the way. One of the biggest challenges I faced early on was when Target doubled their order close to the ship date. I had to camp out at the manufacturer and enlist the help of my husband and other marines on our base to get the shipment out on time. It was a hectic and stressful experience, but it taught me the importance of adaptability and teamwork. This challenge reinforced my determination and resourcefulness, key traits that have helped me navigate the entrepreneurial journey.
Where did you get the drive to continue even though things were so hard?
My drive to continue, even when things were tough, comes from my mission and my “why”: to honor God, help women, and give back to communities. I’ll never forget the pain and struggle I faced when searching for answers to my own health issues. That experience fuels my motivation every day. Knowing that I can make a difference in women’s lives and provide the support I once needed keeps me going, no matter the challenges.
So, how are things going today? How did grit and resilience lead to your eventual success?
Things are thriving today! Everything from our team to our product offerings is growing, and it’s an incredibly exciting phase for both brands. Grit and resilience have been the bedrock of our success. When faced with challenges, like expanding our product line under Amy Suzanne or maintaining our core values in the face of external pushback, we stood firm. Our commitment to honoring God, helping women, and giving back to communities has guided us through tough times. Seeing our mission resonate with so many people and witnessing the tangible impact of our work is deeply rewarding.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the funniest mistakes we made when we were first starting was during our rebranding. A customer reached out to tell us how cute it was that we incorporated the shape of Florida into our packaging, thinking it was a nod to our HQ location. The truth is, that wasn’t intentional at all! But we loved the idea so much that we quickly added a heart over the shape to make it official. This taught us the importance of embracing happy accidents and being open to unexpected opportunities for connection with our customers.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
What makes our company stand out is that we are women-owned and women-run, with 83% of our workforce being women. This distinction is particularly evident during meetings within our industry, which are often male-dominated. Our team of women stands out not just because of our presence, but because of our collaborative and resilient spirit. For example, during negotiation with a manufactorer, our all-female team showcased their expertise and unity, impressing everyone in the room. This reflects our commitment to empowering women and leading with excellence.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
To thrive and avoid burnout in our industry, I recommend prioritizing your time and the projects you are working on. Focus on what truly matters and align your tasks with your most important goals. It’s essential to set boundaries and ensure you’re dedicating your energy to high-impact activities. Make time for self-care and don’t hesitate to delegate when necessary. Balancing your workload effectively will help maintain your passion and productivity without burning out.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to my mom. She made countless sacrifices to support our family, especially during my pregnancies and the early days of my business. When my husband was on deployment, she would fly from Florida to Hawaii to help out. Her background as a nurse was invaluable, particularly when I was dealing with Hyperemesis Gravidarum. She researched natural remedies and provided unwavering support, allowing me to focus on growing my business. Her love, dedication, and hard work have been instrumental in getting me to where I am today.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I’ve used my success to bring goodness to the world through both Pink Stork and Amy Suzanne by focusing on supporting women. Our products are designed to enhance women’s health and well-being, while our companies provide meaningful employment opportunities for women. Additionally, we have strong give-back initiatives that impact both local and global communities. Through programs like #MissionMondays, we dedicate a portion of our proceeds to charitable organizations, and we regularly donate products to women in need, making a positive difference in many lives.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I started leading my company” and why?
The Importance of Delegation: Early on, I tried to do everything myself, thinking it was the best way to maintain control. However, I learned that trusting my team and delegating tasks not only reduces burnout but also empowers them to take ownership and grow.
Embrace Flexibility: Entrepreneurship is full of unexpected challenges. For instance, when Target doubled their order close to the ship date, we had to adapt quickly. Flexibility allows you to pivot and find solutions under pressure.
Build a Support Network: Having mentors and a supportive community is invaluable. When I faced personal health challenges, having people to lean on for advice and support made a huge difference in navigating both personal and professional hurdles.
Prioritize Self-Care: It’s easy to neglect your well-being when immersed in your business. I learned that taking care of myself, whether through exercise, rest, or hobbies, boosts my productivity and creativity.
Stay True to Your Values: We’ve faced pushback for including faith-based messages on our packaging. Staying true to our values has built a loyal customer base who appreciates our authenticity. It’s crucial to remain steadfast in what you believe in, even when it’s challenging.
Can you share a few ideas or stories from your experience about how to successfully ride the emotional highs & lows of being a founder”?
Successfully riding the emotional highs and lows of being a founder often comes down to understanding the “why” behind what you’re doing. Focusing on the mission rather than on yourself helps keep perspective during tough times. For example, during the hectic period when Target doubled their order, I focused on our mission to support women’s health, which kept me motivated and resilient. Remembering the responsibility of your role to fulfill your mission can help you navigate challenges and celebrate successes with a balanced mindset.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could inspire a movement to bring the most good to the most people, it would be centered around my new brand, Amy Suzanne. Our mission is to honor God by spreading love and giving back. We dedicate 10% of Monday’s net proceeds to charitable organizations, both locally and internationally, through our #MissionMondays initiative. We also encourage our employees to volunteer by offering paid volunteer time and donate products monthly to support women in need. This movement of giving back and supporting women could create a ripple effect of kindness and empowerment.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Follow on Instagram: @pinkstork @amy.suzanne_
Website: Pinkstork.com
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Morcom is a millennial mom of three and founder of Morcom Media, a performance PR shop for thought leaders. She earned her degree in journalism and worked for Canada’s largest social enterprise. She can be reached at vanessa@morcom.media
Amy Suzanne Of Pink Stork: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A Founder was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.