339 - Designing Success: The Intersection of Creativity and Leadership in the Hardware Industry
Leading with Heart: How Priya Vij Is Building a Business—and Culture—That Lasts
In the latest episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll sits down with Priya Vij, founder of Hapny Home, to unpack the values, mindset, and creative vision behind her rapidly growing home hardware company. Priya’s journey—from feeling stifled in corporate life to founding a brand known for both design and integrity—offers valuable insights for professionals who crave both freedom and purpose in their leadership.
Redefining Leadership Through Design, Empathy, and Self-Awareness
Priya’s entrepreneurial story is fueled by clarity of purpose. Leaving behind the rigidity of corporate culture, she founded Hapny Home with a vision to create stylish, accessible home hardware—and to build a company where people actually enjoy coming to work. Her hands-on approach to design reflects a deep understanding of her customers, while her leadership style favors transparency and emotional intelligence over outdated command-and-control tactics. She openly shares that as an introverted founder, leading with empathy and quiet strength has been her most powerful asset.
Instead of defaulting to fear-based management or burnout-fueled hustle, Priya prioritizes culture and personal connection. Her belief that people come before KPIs shows up in every area of the business—from how she hires to how she communicates. At Hapny, joy is not just a product feature—it’s embedded into the way the team operates. By aligning her values with how the company grows, she’s proven that success doesn’t require sacrificing authenticity.
Priya’s story resonates deeply with leaders who want to build something meaningful without compromising who they are. She reminds us that vulnerability, curiosity, and clear boundaries can coexist with bold vision and performance. Whether you're scaling a company, managing a team, or navigating your next career move, this conversation is a powerful prompt to lead from a place of alignment and intention.
About Priya Vij
Priya Vij is the founder of Hapny Home. Drawing on her background in business and her family’s roots in the cabinet hardware industry, she launched Hapny to bring personality, creativity, and approachability into the home hardware space. She champions thoughtful leadership, intuitive design, and people-first business practices.
About Hapny Home
Hapny Home is a design-forward hardware company offering modern, joyful solutions for renters and homeowners alike. Founded by Priya Vij, the brand is known for blending aesthetic vision with functional design—helping customers personalize their spaces with intention and ease.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Key Episode Highlights:
How Priya turned corporate frustration into creative entrepreneurship
Why empathy and self-awareness are essential leadership traits
The design principles and values guiding Hapny Home’s success
A fresh perspective on leading as an introvert
Balancing business growth with authentic, people-first culture
Conclusion
Priya Vij is proof that quiet leadership, when grounded in purpose, can make a loud impact. Her journey invites today’s leaders to design not just great products—but great cultures, grounded in humanity and heart.
Explore more about Doug Noll’s leadership and communication strategies at Doug Noll's website.
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