Influential Women to Watch in 2026: Meet Katy Spada, Founder of Purpose-Driven Lifestyle and Loungewear Brand, Ary + Maan
Katy Spada is the founder of Ary + Maan, a purpose-driven lifestyle and loungewear brand reimagining cultural connection for the next generation. Blending South Asian heritage with modern design, Katy’s collections celebrate storytelling, softness, and shared identity — from buttery-soft pajamas to matching family sets rooted in meaning. A former Big Tech leader turned creative entrepreneur, she launched Ary + Maan to fill a gap she saw as a mother of multicultural children: the need for products that honor tradition while embracing the rhythms of everyday life.
Under her leadership, Ary + Maan has grown from a passion project to a nationally recognized brand stocked by beloved boutiques and championed by families seeking more inclusive and intentional representation in children’s wear. With a heart for community and a vision for legacy, Katy is reshaping what it means to grow up — and parent — in color.
What led you to entrepreneurship?
I spent nearly 15 years in the tech world, working across innovation and strategy at some of the country’s most well-known companies. I loved building things — solving problems, scaling ideas — but when I became a mom, something shifted. My daughter asked me a simple question one day: “Why can’t we have Diwali pajamas like we do for Christmas?” I realized how few products existed that celebrated South Asian heritage in a joyful, everyday way. That question planted the seed for Ary + Maan — a brand built on comfort, culture, and connection. I wanted to create something she could see herself reflected in — something soft, playful, and meaningful. That became my ‘why.’
Ary + Maan blends South Asian heritage with modern design. Tell us about the importance of culture and your buttery-soft fabrics.
Culture is our foundation. Every print, silhouette, and stitch is designed to celebrate South Asian heritage in a way that feels fresh, approachable, and elevated. We’re not just making pajamas — we’re creating little moments of belonging. That might be a print inspired by Holi powder or Mughal gardens, or the simple joy of matching with a parent or sibling. And we believe softness matters — because these pieces are worn during the most tender parts of the day: bedtime, snuggles, rituals. So, we source buttery-soft organic cotton and bamboo blends, ethically made in India. Comfort and culture, hand in hand.
Why are so many tech leaders, like yourself, turning to creative entrepreneurship?
In tech, we often chase scale, speed, and optimization. But creative entrepreneurship invites a different kind of fulfillment — one rooted in meaning, community, and impact. I think many of us reach a point where we crave tangibility. We want to build with heart, not just hustle. For me, Ary + Maan was about creating something legacy-worthy, something my children could be proud of — not just a company, but a conversation around identity, family, and culture.
Baby Sleeper: Classic Auto
Sidekick Set: For Sibling Adventures
Toddler Set – Purple Rangoli
What have you enjoyed the most when building your powerful brand and a few lessons learned?
I’ve loved hearing from families who say, “We’ve never seen anything like this — thank you for creating it.” That kind of resonance fuels everything. It reminds me that small brands can make a big emotional impact.
Lessons? So many! One: perfect is the enemy of progress. Launch the thing. Two: your community will teach you what they need — if you’re willing to listen. And three: authenticity always wins. When your brand is rooted in purpose, people feel it.
Take us through your collection.
We actually started Ary + Maan with baby sleepers and toddler sizes up to 5T — but we quickly heard from our community loud and clear: they wanted bigger kid sizes and adult matching too.
So we listened. What began as a cozy, culturally inspired line for little ones has now expanded to include full family matching — with sizing that goes up to age 12 for kids and adult silhouettes that are as soft and wearable as they are beautiful.
This expansion has allowed families to celebrate together in a more intentional way — whether it’s for holidays, cultural moments, or just everyday joy. There’s something powerful about being able to wrap an entire family in comfort and culture.
Our bestseller to date has been our Diya print — a joyful, light-inspired design that’s become a customer favorite for full family matching. In particular, our adult pajama pants have been a runaway hit — proof that grownups want in on the fun, too! We’ll be leaning more into that silhouette in 2026, offering more prints and styles that make matching feel modern, meaningful, and cozy.
What makes Ary + Maan unique is the emotional connection behind every piece. Our prints tell stories rooted in South Asian culture, but in a way that feels fresh, wearable, and joyful. We’re not just making clothing — we’re creating little moments of belonging for families that want to see their traditions reflected in everyday life.
Maa & Me Bundle
What is your vision for 2026?
2026 is all about growth, joy, and bold creativity. We’re expanding our line with new silhouettes and playful prints — especially leaning into the popularity of our adult pajama pants, which have become a surprise bestseller and a community favorite.
You’ll also see more spring and summer drops this year, designed to keep the feeling of celebration going beyond the traditional festive calendar. On the wholesale side, we’re growing our retail footprint, and we’re excited to build deeper partnerships with artists, creators, and retailers who share our love of culture and storytelling.
At the heart of it all, our mission remains the same: to wrap families in comfort, heritage, and everyday joy.
You can find us online at www.aryandmaan.com
And follow along on Instagram and TikTok at @aryandmaan — we love sharing behind-the-scenes looks, launches, and joyful moments from our community!
