Cotton pajamas shouldn’t be this hard to find. Yet countless women spend hours searching for pure cotton sleepwear, only to discover synthetic blends hiding behind misleading labels. The quest for genuine cotton comfort leaves many frustrated and settling for less.

When Anandita Yadav moved from India to the United States, this simple search became her daily challenge. Back home, breathable cotton clothing filled her wardrobe. Here, each shopping trip ended in disappointment. But instead of accepting synthetic alternatives, she decided to bring India’s cotton heritage to American closets.

Through careful observation of the American market, she spotted an opportunity that would transform her frustration into a purpose-driven business. Her deep understanding of India’s premium cotton regions and her commitment to ethical production set the foundation for what would become Zillajee.

From Research to Reality

“I looked for products that offered high-quality cotton at an accessible price point,” Yadav explains. “Through analyzing customer reviews and market gaps, I identified a clear opportunity in the cotton sleepwear and loungewear category for women.” Her Indian heritage provided knowledge about premium cotton-producing regions, giving her an advantage in sourcing materials.

The manufacturing partnership became about more than production capacity. “I wanted an Indian manufacturer because I wanted to bring the joy of Indian cotton that I had experienced growing up,” she shares. When visiting potential partners, Yadav looked beyond quality metrics. “I was particularly impressed by the majority representation of women in the workforce,” she says. “Fair wages, decent working conditions, and a safe environment were non-negotiable requirements.”

In May 2023, she invested $500 to create her first collection of 50 pajama pants, launching Zillajee on Etsy. Her selection process combined market research with intuition, emphasizing inclusive sizing options. The personal connection with her manufacturing team strengthened her commitment to ethical production. “Meeting the garment makers personally was a very reassuring experience,” she says. “It confirmed that our values about fair labor practices were truly being upheld.”

Building Growth Through Customer Connection

Market response quickly proved her research. Early customers praised the distinctive prints and pure cotton quality, leading to repeat purchases and referrals. This positive feedback encouraged her to expand while maintaining her full-time job as a software team lead. She built her own website using Shopify, broadening Zillajee’s reach beyond Etsy. The results speak for themselves – by 2024, she had shipped over 1,000 orders and quadrupled her sales volume.

Her pricing strategy reflected careful thought about multiple factors. “I wanted pricing that would work for business sustainability and future wholesale opportunities while remaining accessible,” Yadav explains. “Since I used my own savings to start the business, profitability from day one was essential. I studied market competition and worked backwards to create unit economics that made sense.”

Support, Balance, and Success

Mentorship helped shape her business direction. “I found my mentor Chloe through score.org, and she helped me tremendously with business strategy,” Yadav shares. “While I was confident about my product, I wasn’t seeing the expected traction initially. She helped me set clear, achievable milestones for different stages of growth.”

Managing Zillajee part-time from her North Carolina base requires careful time management. “I work on the business during evenings after dinner and on weekends,” she notes. “Understanding that entrepreneurship is a long journey, I prioritize maintaining a healthy balance between work, family, and self-care. Regular exercise, meditation, and adequate sleep are non-negotiable for me.”

Today, Zillajee offers sustainable, ethically-produced loungewear at accessible prices across the United States. Her product line has grown to include more designs, styles, and size options, with plans for a with plans for a vibrant spring collection. Her path from identifying a wardrobe need to building a successful brand demonstrates how personal challenges can spark meaningful solutions. Starting small – with just 50 items and $500 – she showed that testing a business idea doesn’t require massive investment. Her story illustrates how focused research, strong values and balanced execution can turn a market observation into a thriving reality.