Meet Evelyn Mardyan

We were lucky to catch up with Evelyn Mardyan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Evelyn, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from my parents. They were immigrants from Iran of Armenian descent and the first generation here. Seeing them come to this country without understanding the language, build careers, and start over is where my resilience comes from.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

As an occupational therapist and the owner of Zip N’ Bear, I’m passionate about creating a brand that blends both comfort and care. We’re not just about clothing; we’re about creating a feeling—a sense of connection and companionship for the kids. I wanted to create a product that not only provided a soothing bedtime experience but also promoted healthy sleep patterns for all children, especially those with touch sensitivities.

What makes Zip N’ Bear special is the combination of comfort, connection, and imagination that we bring into every product. Our PJs also comes with the Zippy the bear, not just any teddy but a guardian of dreams who nurtures creativity and ensures playtime to bedtime is safe and magical.

I’m excited to see how Zip N’ Bear is growing, and we’ve got some new products and designs coming up like sizes for newborns and grown ups, that I’m really excited about! We’re constantly exploring ways to make our brand even more inclusive and thoughtful, expanding into new areas to bring comfort and joy to more families.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

First, resilience has been crucial. There are always ups and downs in any journey, but being able to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward has been key to my success. In both therapy and running a business, things don’t always go as planned, and resilience helps you stay on course despite challenges.

Second, communication is incredibly important. Whether it’s with customers, colleagues, or partners, clear and effective communication fosters trust and helps build lasting relationships. In my business, I’ve learned how essential it is to really listen and engage with people, as well as express ideas in ways that connect.

Lastly, focus has been essential for progress. With so many things to juggle, it’s easy to get distracted, but maintaining a clear focus on your goals and values has kept me grounded and driven. Knowing what’s most important and staying dedicated to that vision has allowed me to prioritize effectively.

For those just starting out, my advice would be to build resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Invest time in improving communication skills, both with your team and customers—it’ll pay off in stronger connections. Lastly, stay focused on your purpose and your long-term vision, and avoid getting lost in the noise of day-to-day distractions.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Time blocking and prioritizing roles are two strategies that help me stay organized and manage my responsibilities, especially when things get overwhelming.

Time blocking is a game-changer for me. It’s all about scheduling specific blocks of time for different tasks or projects, which helps me stay focused and avoid multitasking. I set aside certain hours of the day for particular roles—whether it’s managing the business, working with clients, or handling creative tasks for Zip N’ Bear. By giving each task its own time slot, I ensure that I’m giving my full attention to one thing at a time, which increases both productivity and quality.

Prioritizing roles is just as important. As a business owner and an occupational therapist, I wear many hats, but I know I can’t do everything at once. I focus on identifying the roles that have the most immediate impact or require the most attention. For example, some days, my role as a therapist may take priority over business tasks, and other days, my focus may shift to managing product designs or customer communications. I try to be flexible with my priorities, but the key is making sure I’m giving the right amount of time and energy to the most important tasks in any given moment.

The combination of time blocking and prioritizing roles helps me stay organized and maintain balance, even when I’m juggling multiple responsibilities. It’s about setting clear boundaries for each task and recognizing what needs my focus at that particular time. This structure makes a huge difference in keeping things from feeling chaotic.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zipnbear.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zipnbear/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZipNBear
• Other: Pinterest: https://ph.pinterest.com/zipnbear/

Image Credits

Remember Media