What does it take to pivot from a promising medical career to inventing a product that could revolutionize motherhood? In this episode, host Nancy Sheed chats with Pia McGrath, founder of Ainara Designs, about her remarkable journey of reinvention. From her beginnings as a medical student in Spain to becoming an entrepreneur driven by creativity and necessity, Pia’s story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of asking, “What do I truly want?” Tune in to hear how she turned personal challenges into opportunities, creating a groundbreaking necklace for breastfeeding moms and building a business from scratch.

McGrath’s journey began with her dream of becoming a surgeon. She graduated from medical school in Spain in 2019 and moved to the U.S. with her husband. However, life had other plans. Amid the uncertainties of COVID-19 and her first pregnancy, Pia took a hard look at her future and realized medicine was not the right path.

“I finally stopped and asked myself, Pia, what do you want for you? And I had the courage to answer that correctly.”

Motherhood and its challenges reignited Pia’s creative spark. Struggling with the complexities of breastfeeding, she designed a functional yet elegant necklace that helps lift a mother’s shirt during nursing, eliminating the need for extra hands.

Starting from basically nothing, Pia leveraged free resources like SCORE, the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, and UConn’s IP Clinic. Despite facing product development hurdles, she pressed on with determination, eventually securing several grants through pitch competitions.

With final product samples on the way, Pia is preparing for a big launch. She also has filed a non-provisional patent to bring her innovation to market, fueled by the support of mentors, family, and the HAYVN community.

Pia’s advice is heartfelt and practical:

• Be Resourceful: Use every free resource available.

• Network: Building connections is invaluable.

• Stay Curious: Learn constantly and ask questions.

• Take Care of Yourself: Especially for new moms, self-care is essential.

Pia also shares that the HAYVN energy and community has given her the belief that anything really is possible. Her path may be unpredictable and the support from everyone has been key in her belief and confidence moving forward. 

Connect with Pia:

Ainara Designs 

hello@ainarathedesigns.com

Instagram

SCORE 

Connect with Nancy:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram