S2, Ep6: The Power of Baby Steps, Boundaries, and Bold Vision in Creative Business, with Priya Vij

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In this rich and vulnerable conversation, we talk with Priya Vij, the founder and product designer behind Hapny Home, a hardware brand rooted in legacy, but built on her own terms. From studying journalism and working at Nike to launching her own modern, design-forward product line, Priya shares how returning to her hometown and family industry cracked open a deeper journey of personal agency, identity, and creativity. We dive into the nuanced dance of boundaries in business, why baby steps matter more than overnight success, and how relational dynamics, especially with parents, can both stifle and shape our creative path.

We Chat About:

• Starting a business “next to” the family legacy, not inside it
• The tension between independence and inherited wisdom
• How imposter syndrome can show up when you’re self-taught
• Using creativity as a tool for healing and self-definition
• The emotional cost of working in male-dominated industries
• Building confidence through experimentation and small wins
• Why face-to-face connection still matters in a digital business
• Boundaries as creative protection
• Growing a business and your nervous system at the same time

About Priya: Priya Vij is the founder and product designer behind Hapny Home, a cabinet hardware brand bringing a personal and design-forward lens to an often overlooked category. She grew up around the hardware business - her dad’s been in the industry for nearly 40 years - but saw a clear gap: well-made, thoughtfully designed hardware that didn’t cost a fortune. After years of living and renting in Houston, Austin, Portland, and New York, she launched Hapny, named for the cities that shaped her sense of home. Priya designs every piece herself with a focus on modern forms, joyful details, and consistent, high quality materials - all at an accessible price point.

Connect with Priya:

Check out Hapny Home: http://www.hapnyhome.com/

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com