We’re looking forward to introducing you to Priya Vij. Check out our conversation below.
Priya, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Each day is very different as a founder and business owner, but that’s what I love. I enjoy meeting my sales reps and visiting showrooms across the country.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Priya Vij, founder and designer behind Hapny Home. I create cabinet hardware that is modern, playful, and a little unexpected. I grew up in this industry, so I have always appreciated the small pieces of metal that open our doors and drawers and how much they shape the way we interact with our spaces. I started the brand because I could not find hardware that felt both elevated and fun, and I wanted to design pieces that both homeowners and designers are excited to choose in a sea of mundane options. My focus is on the intersection of thoughtful design and affordability, and on turning something small and often overlooked into the detail that pulls a whole room together. Today, Hapny has nine collections of solid brass knobs, pulls, and appliance pulls, and I am continuing to grow with new designs and finishes.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad taught me the most about work. He left a steady corporate path because he wanted to build something of his own, to sell a product he believed in, and to do it on his own terms. Watching him showed me that work does not have to look one way. It can be creative, it can mean being on the road, meeting people, and building relationships around something you care about. His drive and independence shaped how I think about Hapny and gave me permission to take risks and put my own point of view into the world. It also showed me that success comes from consistency and grit just as much as inspiration. I carry that with me every day as I build my own version of what he created for himself.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that everything works out the way it is supposed to, even if it feels messy and even if it is not what you envisioned. The twists and turns are not mistakes, they are the experiences that shape your perspective and make you stronger. Do not wait until everything feels perfect before you start because putting things out into the world is how you keep learning and growing. Trust your instincts and do not be afraid to take the leap, even when it feels uncomfortable. You will look back and be proud that you kept going. And remember to enjoy it while you are in it, because the process ends up being just as rewarding as the outcome.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I have always been someone who does not compartmentalize or show up differently in professional versus personal settings, for better or for worse. I am a human first, and I lead with that in all of my interactions. I bring that same energy into Hapny, where I am trying to build an environment that encourages people to show up as themselves. It’s how I move through my day to day life, whether I am working with a collaborator, connecting with a customer, or simply being present. This outlook also shapes my products, because designing hardware is such an intimate detail. These are pieces you touch every day and that quietly shape the way you live in your home, and I want to build that personal connection with you through my designs.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I showed up as myself and made them feel comfortable to do the same. A sales rep once told me that working with me makes going to work fun, and that felt like one of the best compliments I could ever get. It captures exactly what I hope to leave behind – the idea that you can build something meaningful while still making the process enjoyable for the people around you. I would love for the story to be that I built with purpose but also with warmth, and that I never lost sight of the small moments and relationships along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hapnyhome.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapnyhome
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/hapnyhome/
Image Credits
Hapny Home
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