Amy Upchurch | Founder + CEO of Pink Stork
Amy Upchurch
Founder + CEO of Pink Stork
Q: Walk us through your story!
A: Back in 2009, doctors gave me 24 hours to live. I was struggling with hyperemesis gravidarum, which I can only describe as morning sickness on steroids. I struggled through my first three pregnancies, but in my fourth, I decided enough was enough.
With a ton of research, I was able to discover natural products that changed my life. When I was running around chasing my kids, instead of laying in bed all day, I knew I had a breakthrough. I knew God had a greater purpose for my suffering, so I created Pink Stork in 2015 to help other women and give them hope.
With Pink Stork, I created the brand I longed for during my own health struggles: a company that would come alongside women and help them through theirs. My mission isn’t just to provide women with clean, natural products that address the root cause of their issues; I also want to support women emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as they create a healthy foundation for their lives. Now, we’re able to support women through Amazon, Target, Walmart, and our webstore, as well as through our vibrant online community, PS Life.
Q: What has been the most rewarding phase of your career?
A: The most rewarding part of Pink Stork has been how we’re able to help other women. Every testimonial that we’ve received has made an impact on me. As a founder, it’s meant so much to have created something that didn’t exist before and see the way that it’s changed people’s lives for the better. When we started, I just wanted to help one person, and now, we hear from customers daily about how our products have helped them overcome their own challenges. It’s been a humbling experience.
Q: What do you do for inspiration? Do you ever hit creative roadblocks and how do you overcome them?
A: The story of my late grandmother on my mom’s side (my mamy), Virginia Vacarro, is a big source of inspiration for me. She ran away from home when she was 16 and went down to the Keys, where she met my grandfather. They had six kids and moved all around the country and world because my grandpa was an undercover agent for the government!
As someone with five kids and as a military wife myself, whenever I’m ever struggling, it helps me to think of the strong women I come from. The beach is also one of my biggest sources of inspiration. I always go 1,000 mph, but when I go to the beach, I feel like I can drop everything that I’m mentally carrying. I always feel closest to God at the beach. No matter how many times I go to the same spot, it’ll look different every day.
The sky and the ocean remind me of how God works in our lives; each day brings its unique challenges and triumphs, while God remains steadfast. For me, walking barefoot on the sand helps me center and come home to myself.
Q: Who has been the most inspirational person in your life and at what stage?
A: My mom is a really big inspiration to me. She overcame her own health struggles when she was young, without access to the same information that helped me. And she was still able to raise six kids! She’s the most giving and empathetic person I know. Complete strangers will come up to her, and she’ll listen to their whole life story. She has a huge heart. When I was so sick, she stayed by my side and helped me get better; she’s a great role model for how I’d like to show up for my own daughters.
Q: What advice would you give someone wanting to pursue a career similar to yours?
Don’t let fear stop you. Fear stops a lot of people. Think: if you didn’t have fear in front of you, what would you be doing? What’s the worst that could happen if you go for it? I was exposed at a young age to the precarity of life through my own near-death experience and my husband’s time in the military. I think those experiences gave me a sense of peace and an awareness of the short time we have here on earth. Over time, I’ve become very comfortable in fear, and I’ve exercised being able to move through it and make good decisions.
Q: What are the best resources that have helped you along the way?
A: I’ve never put a cap on my dreams for Pink Stork. I’ve always known it was going to be so much bigger than anything I could ever imagine. One of the biggest resources for me was looking at other companies to see what I wanted Pink Stork to be like -- from their size to their culture. Looking at other companies has also helped me to realize what I don’t want, like not staying grounded and losing touch of why I started
Q: What are your top self care routines?
A: Sleeping, eating right, and exercise are all important ways that I take care of myself. Also, like I’ve mentioned, going to the beach or being near water really helps me clear my mind. It’s so easy to just get into a grind every day, and it’s important for me to mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually reset. When I relax, I get my clearest ideas.
Q: What is the most challenging part about what you do?
A: Being a mom of five and the CEO and founder of a company isn’t easy, but I’ve always believed that “To whom much is given, much is expected.” I’m very intentional with my time, and I’m grounded by my values and my faith. My relationship with my kids and husband comes first. I’ve never wanted to look back and say I wish I had more time with them. My husband being in the military and the resulting time apart really helped us value our family and our time together.
Q: Why do you do what you do?
A: I think that it’s always important to ask yourself “why?” Why should I do this? Why do you think the world needs this? I believe everything needs to flow from your “why.” I’m lucky to have found the answer to mine in Pink Stork. For me, Pink Stork is my way to help all women on their wellness journeys.
My faith is so important to me. I have no doubt that God called me to do what I’m doing today. Throughout my experiences, I’ve always questioned why me? Why isn’t my body working for me? Why am I going through this? But I knew God had a plan, and I had to trust in it. Whatever you’re going through, I’d just encourage you to remember that there’s something good planned for you. Keep going.
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