Chasing dreams with unwavering belief and turning them into reality takes courage, and Priyanka Salot, Co-Founder of The Sleep Company, exemplifies this beautifully as after years of honing her skills at Procter & Gamble (P&G), she decided to take a bold leap into the world of entrepreneurship by launching The Sleep Company and with her passion and faith, she transformed it into a thriving business that has reached remarkable heights, serving as a testament to the power of believing in oneself and daring to take that life-changing plunge.
In Marketing Mind’s fortnightly segment, ‘Celebrating Women Leaders’, Salot shared that during the early years of her career, she spent nearly eight years at P&G. She highlighted that in today’s fast-paced world, it’s rare to hear of someone staying with a single organisation for that long, but that experience was incredibly valuable for her in two significant ways.
“First, it solidified my passion for consumer brands and shaped the trajectory of my future. I developed a deep love for products that are tangible and make a meaningful difference in consumers’ lives. That’s something I carry with me to this day,” Salot said.
“Second, P&G taught me that building a brand is a science, not just creativity. The lessons I learned there have been invaluable to my work at The Sleep Company. Whether it’s the way we keep consumers at the heart of everything we do, from product design to communication strategies, to enhancing customer experiences at our experience centres, those foundational learnings from P&G continue to guide us every single day,” she added.
In reflecting on the lessons learned from a senior leader at P&G, Salot said, one crucial point emerges for women and women leaders, particularly those balancing careers and family.
“The role models we become for our children as working women, and the values we instil in them, hold immeasurable significance. Today, my eight-year-old son proudly tells me that I am his role model and aspires to be an entrepreneur like me. This ambition reflects the values of respect and equality that we impart through our actions as working mothers. These lessons are far more impactful than any guilt we may feel for not being home all the time,” she said.
“I believe that working women have a unique opportunity to shape their children’s perspectives. It’s essential to remember that while choosing to work is a personal decision, it should not be clouded by feelings of inadequacy. If you choose to stay home to care for your family, that’s perfectly valid. However, if your passion lies in your career, embrace it fully without guilt,” she added.
When asked about the specific challenges she has faced as a woman leader in her industry, Salot shared the strategies she employed to overcome these obstacles throughout her career.
“We are driven by the goal of revolutionising the way people sleep and sit, as we are a comfort tech brand committed to enhancing everyday comfort. We are fully backward and forward integrated, meaning we have complete control over our process, from designing and manufacturing to selling our products directly to consumers through our own experience centres. Most of our products are protected by patents, rooted in cutting-edge, IP-protected technology, which reflects the complexity and innovation that goes into their creation. Some of our offerings, particularly, involve intricate engineering during the research and development (R&D) stage,” she said.
Furthermore, she went on to say that they invested about a year and a half into R&D, pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
“I vividly recall my experiences during that time, attending exhibitions to find machines that could manufacture our smart grid technology or other unique products. Walking into those exhibition stalls was an eye-opener. The fact that I, as a woman, was there left people visibly puzzled. In an industry dominated by men, especially in the manufacturing sector, my presence was unexpected. It was one of those defining moments that made me realise the challenges we face as women in such spaces,” Salot mentioned.
“I am a firm believer in persistence, and one chapter, named ‘Sit At The Table’, that has deeply influenced me is from Sheryl Sandberg’s book. Even today, I share its message with all my employees, both women and men, because I truly stand by it. Reflecting on the early days of my career, especially in an industry like manufacturing where women are often underrepresented, it was initially quite challenging for people to figure out how to navigate having women in the field. However, the journey since then has been incredible. Today, those same people come to us, asking what we need and how they can support us. It’s been a remarkable transformation,” she added.
She highlighted that at The Sleep Company, Harshil and Salot co-founded the business together, and they also happen to be life partners. Being both entrepreneurs and a married couple brings a unique dynamic, where the boundaries between personal and professional life often blur.
“Our lives naturally revolve around work, to the point that even our eight-year-old talks to us about work. There are, of course, both advantages and challenges to being co-founders as a couple. However, our motivation remains clear, we are deeply driven by the desire to build a brand that genuinely improves how people sleep and sit. Today, India ranks as the second most sleep-deprived country in the world, yet sleep is something many take for granted despite its critical role in our well-being,” Salot said.
She added, “Our mission is to change that by educating people and ensuring that they sleep better and sit better. After all, we spend one-third of our lives on a mattress, and the other two-thirds sitting so comfort in both areas is crucial. Our goal is to create a brand that stands the test of time, one that’s here for decades, much like the Apple of electronics or Nike of sports.”
When asked to reflect on the highs and lows of her professional journey, she shared the most impactful lessons that have shaped her decisions, stating that there are three key lessons she has learned throughout her journey as a founder in the startup ecosystem.
“First and foremost, we operate in an environment that is constantly evolving, and adaptability is crucial. I’ve seen firsthand how what you need to go from 0 to 1, 1 to 10, and then scale from 10 to 100 and beyond changes significantly. This applies to everything, from team structures to the way you run your systems and even how you approach your brand. It’s essential to stay ahead of the curve, to be proactive, and to lead change rather than waiting for circumstances to force your hand,” she said.
“Secondly, I’m a firm believer in hard work and persistence. Building great brands or businesses isn’t possible without these two qualities. I don’t think anyone can achieve excellence or create something truly remarkable without putting in the effort and having the tenacity to push through challenges. Lastly, in a fast-paced ecosystem, especially when your business is growing exponentially year on year, agility becomes vital,” she added.
When asked about the concept of work-life balance, Salot shared a candid perspective, saying, “I believe there’s no such thing as a perfect work-life balance. In fact, I think it’s somewhat overrated.”
She emphasised that it’s unrealistic to expect a balance in every phase of life, explaining, “There will be times when work demands more of your attention, and other times when personal life takes priority. But the idea that you can maintain an equal balance every day, well, I don’t think that’s feasible.”
She acknowledged that work can get overwhelming, especially during busy phases, but it’s about finding the right time to regroup.
“When things are crazy at work, you can’t always give your personal life the attention it deserves, but it’s important to take time to bounce back later,” she said.
“As an entrepreneur, and even more so as a woman entrepreneur, the lines between work and personal life often blur. You never truly switch off. At The Sleep Company, we often say the company is like our second baby. It’s incredibly hard to disconnect, no matter how hard you try, because when you love what you’re doing, and are so passionate about building something, it’s always on your mind.”
Moving on, Salot pointed out that while she doesn’t consider herself a feminist, she strongly believes in true equality, which means hiring the best person for the job, regardless of gender. In the context of consumer brands, this perspective becomes particularly relevant. The exciting thing about the consumer brand ecosystem is the increasing presence of women leaders and entrepreneurs.
“This shift, I believe, stems from a simple yet significant factor that many consumer brands are primarily marketed to women. As a woman, I feel I have a natural advantage in understanding the needs and desires of other women, which equips me to better manage brands and products targeted at this audience,” she said.
“This is why we are witnessing a growing number of women making their mark in the industry, and I think it’s a positive development. However, true equality cannot be achieved if certain individuals are left behind due to lack of opportunities or insufficient support. These systemic issues must be addressed at a broader level. Ultimately, I advocate for providing equal opportunities to everyone,” Salot added.
When asked about her mentor and the impact of their guidance on her professional journey, she shared that she doesn’t have only one mentor, but she has always been deeply passionate about learning from the experiences of successful leaders, particularly through reading their autobiographies.
“These stories of how they’ve built remarkable companies offer invaluable lessons, each one adding something new to the way I approach leadership,” she shared.
“Our company’s DNA is deeply rooted in this mindset. Especially when you’re designing products for consumers, you must keep the consumer at the heart of everything you do. It’s a principle I’ve embraced throughout my journey. For instance, Steve Jobs’ autobiography is one of my favourites. I’m fascinated by how others have built not just brands, but entire legacies, and that inspires me every day,” Salot added.
When asked about the essential strategies for breaking traditional leadership moulds to empower women in the industry, Salot said that she believes that creating equal opportunities for women begins with intentional actions.
She highlighted the need for an inclusive infrastructure across the country, saying, “Take a senior leadership role, for instance. If I’m interviewing candidates for a senior leadership role, I should ask myself- did I only interview men, or did I ensure my HR provided resumes of qualified women as well? Simple steps like this promote equality, at least in the shortlisting process.”
Salot also emphasised, “While balancing career and personal life can be challenging for women, it’s crucial to dream big, pursue ambitions, and ‘Sit at the Table’.”
She is a firm believer in sitting at the table and she also urged women to voice their perspectives and take charge of their professional paths. “You have to own your career. We can’t sit on the sidelines, waiting for someone else to guide us or for a magic wand to change things. It’s about taking responsibility and making your voice heard,” she added.
Salot believes that in today’s dynamic work environment, it’s essential to foster a space that motivates and supports everyone, regardless of gender. It’s not just about empowering women, it’s about creating an environment where every employee feels valued and driven by a greater purpose. Whether it’s male or female employees, how we enable them to thrive at work is crucial. A truly empowering workplace is one where individuals feel inspired to come in every day, confident that they are part of something meaningful.
Equally important is offering flexibility. While it may hold particular significance for women, flexibility is a benefit that resonates with all employees, including men. The aim should be to establish policies that are inclusive and beneficial for everyone, ensuring that the workplace remains supportive, motivating, and equitable for all, she said.
While giving professional wisdom to someone just starting their career, Salot said, “My advice would be to never give up and always pursue your dreams. I believe that’s the best guidance I can offer. Reflecting on my journey, the most significant decision I ever made was leaving P&G to take the plunge into entrepreneurship and create my own brand. I understand that the beginning of this journey can often feel daunting, but it’s essential to chase your dreams. I genuinely believe that nothing is impossible.”
