Meet Sandhya

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sandhya a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sandhya, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

This is an interesting question—and my answer is going to be rather philosophical! I grew up in India and moved to the U.S. in my twenties. “Finding purpose” is a very Western idea, one I only became acutely aware of after moving to America. In Indian culture, there is only purpose, no finding. The purpose is whatever you are doing right now—do it with the greatest dedication and sincerity, without attachment to the outcome. If you’re a student, study with the purpose of learning; if you’re working, do your job as well as you possibly can, to serve someone—your family, your community—without expecting any reward. This idea feels contrary to what capitalistic societies value—ambition. What’s the point of doing anything without the promise of personal gain?
My own journey was straightforward at first. I loved science—especially physics and chemistry—from an early age, which brought me to the U.S. for graduate school and a PhD in chemistry. Until then, everything felt clear. It was only when I was entered the corporate world that things began to blur. Overnight, I went from learning to executing, and I was woefully unprepared. That was also when self-worth quietly became tied to paychecks and titles. My thirties disappeared into work and raising children, leaving little space to think about purpose—until burnout hit in my forties.
The year of my mid-life crisis was a storm of questions. What is my purpose? What will make me happy? What do I want my life to be like? In that searching, I stumbled upon something that filled the spiritual void—natural skincare formulation. I poured myself into it, built a business, and thought, “Ah, this must be it—my purpose!” To bring to the world beautiful, useful products, grow a business rooted in nature, and live happily ever after in the glow of doing what I love.
But a story about Warren Buffett changed my perspective. In a meeting, he dramatically held up his planner and declared that his most precious currency was time. He then flipped through the pages and the room let out a collective gasp when they saw all the pages were blank! What does he do with all that time? He reads. Every day. Absorbing, preparing, reflecting. And that’s when it hit me—the Indian concept of purpose. What’s the point of preparing for the next investment when you already have more wealth than you, or all your future generations, can ever spend?

Now I no longer think of purpose as something to find. As long as we keep chasing it, the goalpost will keep moving. For me, purpose is pouring my heart into whatever I decide to do—without expectation. When I take on something, I ask myself, Why? If it energizes me, I do it. If it drains me, I drop it. It’s not always easy, but it feels honest. And I feel immensely privileged to live that way.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

At heart, I’m a researcher. I’ve always been drawn to learning and mastering things that exercise both my curiosity and creativity. Saroya Natural was born out of a midlife existential crisis—after years of working in the high-pressure semiconductor industry while raising a family, I found myself burned out. That experience pushed me to reimagine my relationship with well-being and ultimately led me to Ayurveda.

Saroya Natural bridges Ayurvedic wisdom and modern skincare needs. I came to realize that skin health is never just about the surface—it’s a mirror of our inner state. Through my brand, my mission is to help people decode their skin and transform from within using Ayurvedic principles. I want to empower individuals to harmonize the ancient with the modern, and the personal with the universal—starting with their skin.

What excites me most is the creative process of research and formulation. I love exploring the therapeutic qualities of plants and crafting products that address specific needs. My approach to skincare is much like choosing whole foods over processed ones—I use minimally processed botanicals to create fresh, living skincare. I want people to feel connected to the plants behind each product—their stories, chemistry, aroma, and history. That sense of connection, between nature and self, is what makes Saroya Natural truly special.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Building a brand takes time and passion—those are the only two things that truly sustain you through the everyday challenges. You have to love what you’re bringing into the world. Without that inner fire, the journey can become exhausting and eventually lead to burnout. Passion not only fuels your creativity but also drives you to learn the skills you need to grow. It gives you the resilience to face the inevitable failures and the many “no’s” that come your way.

My advice to anyone starting a brand is to be crystal clear—and brutally honest—about your why. If your motivation is tied to an external result, like making money, gaining recognition, or achieving a certain lifestyle, it will only create pressure and stress. But if your why is rooted in genuine love for what you do, the journey itself becomes the reward. Building your brand will feel like a meaningful way to spend your life.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The biggest challenge I face is that Saroya Natural isn’t yet my full-time focus. I still balance it alongside my other professional responsibilities, which makes growth a slow burn. But I’ve come to see this as part of the journey rather than a limitation.
This balance forces me to be intentional—with my time, energy, and creative focus. It’s also allowed Saroya to evolve slowly and organically, without the pressure to scale too quickly or compromise its values. Every product and idea is created with care, presence, and purpose. My goal is to eventually transition into Saroya Natural full-time, but for now, this rhythm feels right—it lets me nurture the brand with the same mindfulness and authenticity that inspired its creation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.saroyanatural.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saroyanatural/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saroyanatural/

Image Credits

I would like to credit Dinesh Chandrasekhar Photography for the personal photo.