Four years ago while living in New Orleans and going to Tulane University, Phoebe Janovic had an idea that she would later bring to life.
"I had a college reunion and was getting together with my friends in New Orleans, who all graduated from Tulane. I am always the girl who likes to bring gifts or do something special for the group and as I started thinking of what to bring, the idea for PJs by PJ started to form," the entrepreneur exclusively tells Morning Honey of founding PJs by PJ. "I also have family who work in the textile business and have always wanted to do something creative in this space. I decided to make my dreams reality and experimented with PJs by PJ and the feedback from my group of friends was super positive. They inspired me to bring the full brand to life and launch this past May!"
"A few years after leaving New Orleans, I kept drawing iconic things from the city that I missed too much. Those designs kept coming together and I wanted to combine them in a way that would represent the way I felt about the place I spent four of the most formative years of my life. After playing around with a repeated design, I knew comfy, cozy pajamas would be the perfect canvas for it!" she continues of the process and her designs.
The businesswoman specifically created pajamas that are an ode to New York City, as she feels like "this city is a huge piece of me."
"It was important to celebrate my hometown in an authentic way that doesn’t take itself too seriously. While the design has some fun elements, it honors what makes this city so special to so many people, and that includes a little bit of humor," the fifth-generation New Yorker explains of the collection, which has iconic symbols on the clothing.
"The NYC design was inspired by the hustle and bustle of New York City. Each element celebrates the city that never sleeps from the quintessential Statue of Liberty to the more contemporary but infamous Pizza Rat. Each image is a tangible memory for nearly every New Yorker. The ultimate summer Mister Softee treat and a bodega bag — every detail pays homage to the city unlike anywhere in the world," she shares. "Both designs in the collection represent the happiness of treasured moments in these cities. So, whether you’re a current resident, native or miss the place you once lived, it allows you to be in true comfort while remembering a favorite place."
Now that Janovic's business is up and running, she is "working" on designs for other special places. "Deciding on a few key elements that fully embody a city is a fun but exhaustive process as I want people to connect with the designs," Janovic, who was always "drawing and designing clothes" at a young age, notes.
"The best part of creating this brand is the feedback we’ve been getting. Knowing that the designs are resonating with current or past residents of NYC and New Orleans is all I wanted!" she adds. "The most challenging part is knowing there are a million things that I couldn’t use in just one design. But there is always an opportunity for more niche designs, which is something I’m exploring."
Though Janovic is just getting started, she hopes to "expand the line with additional cities so that people can understand the joy of putting on a comfy set that brings back fond memories."
"Beyond online, we’re exploring retail partners and new sales avenues. I hope in the next five to 10 years, PJs by PJs are sold in thousands of stores around the world, allowing millions of wearers to smile when they pull them out and put them on. I am also hoping to do some fun collabs and limited-edition drops with fun brands and personalities in the near future!" she exclaims.
Ultimately, Janovic wants to "create a community of pajama lovers!"
"With everything I design, I hope to evoke emotion and spark connection, and PJs by PJ are no different. I hope people feel that little spark of happiness every time they look down while wearing them," she says. "Starting a pajama line is something I was never sure I would actually have the opportunity to do. From concept to the company’s first sale, every moment has been a new milestone to celebrate. I hope others who are looking to build something keep working towards that goal, even if it’s a little work each day, just know the payoff will be worth it!"
"There’s going to be a lot of people that tell you something won’t work. I’ve learned it’s important to stick to your intuition while giving thought to feedback, but not letting others deter you from your vision," she concludes. "I really hope these pajamas make their way to those making the transition away from a city they love, like those graduating college. These pajamas are designed to transport you back to those special places even when you’re far away and bring a warm, cozy feeling and smile to your face. And lastly, give us a follow @shoppjsbypj or visit https://pjsbypj.com/ to buy your own pair!"