An Inspired Chat with Priya Ramkissoon of Houston

We recently had the chance to connect with Priya Ramkissoon and have shared our conversation below.

Priya, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me kicks off in full chaos mode — getting my son ready for school is like a mini morning warzone. Once the chaos settles, I usually balance it out with a morning stroll to clear my head before diving into work. Since I live away from my parents, family, and besties, I often use that stroll to check in, play catch-up through calls and voice notes — it’s my little way of adding an extra spring to my step for the day!
My days are often a mix of meetings, creative planning, and community engagement, so I always make sure to carve out a small moment for something purely creative — whether that’s upcycling old materials, sketching a new idea, or experimenting with textiles. It helps me stay grounded and reminds me why I do what I do. But one thing’s for sure — I always keep my evenings for family, especially spending quality time with my little one. Playing imaginative games together keeps his curiosity alive and mine too.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Priya Ramkissoon, Founder and Director of Imiloa Collective — a creative social enterprise connecting communities through craft, culture and storytelling. My work weaves together art, heritage and social impact – bringing artisans, designers, and communities across Africa, the UK, and the US into meaningful collaboration.What makes Imiloa unique is our commitment to co-creation — building experiences that celebrate identity, sustainability and belonging. Through community installations, training programmes, and cross-cultural workshops, we aim to raise awareness and create a platform for marginalised voices.
Right now, I’m developing new initiatives that connect diaspora stories with handmade design, reminding us that creativity truly knows no borders.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents taught me everything I know about work. As immigrants who moved to the UK, they built not only a life for themselves but a foundation for generations to come — and for that, I’ll always be grateful. Their endurance, selflessness, and unwavering work ethic shaped my values and the way I see the world. They also taught me the importance of giving back, which is why so much of what I do focuses on helping others, creating opportunities, and building platforms where communities can truly thrive.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I’m not sure it’s something no one knows, but it’s definitely something deeply personal. I lost my best friend to cancer at a time when our milestones — in life, love and in our careers — were just starting to take shape. Losing her changed the way I look at everything — what matters, how I show up, and why I do what I do.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to hold a very different idea of what success meant. When I started my organisation back in 2012, I thought success was about being recognised — being in the spotlight, being the first to launch new concepts or projects. But over time, I realised that true success isn’t about visibility; it’s about resonance. It’s about building something that speaks for itself, that uplifts others, and that continues to grow and inspire long after you step out of the frame. That shift completely changed how I work and why I do what I do.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I’d stop procrastinating — stop letting the daily grind or endless to-do lists delay the things that truly matter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://imiloacollective.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imiloacollective/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-ramkissoon-453463262/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Imiloacollective
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ImiloaCollective