Exclusive Interview | From Small Town to Multi-Career Success: Priya Sachdeva Shares Lessons on Entrepreneurship and Women Leadership

In an exclusive interaction with Ankitt Y., Editor at Entrepreneur News Network, Priya Sachdeva — Host and Founder of the Trending Diary Podcast — shares insights into her journey across corporate leadership, podcasting, hospitality entrepreneurship and content creation.

Priya represents a new generation of professionals who refuse to be defined by a single career path. Alongside her role as a sales and marketing professional working in strategic partnerships and alliances, she has built Trending Diary Podcast, where she has interviewed more than 300 guests including founders, authors and thought leaders.

Beyond media and corporate leadership, she is also involved in hospitality ventures including a cloud kitchen and boutique guesthouse in Gurugram, demonstrating how modern entrepreneurs are building multiple ventures simultaneously.

In this conversation, Priya speaks about women leadership, breaking societal narratives, entrepreneurship struggles, financial survival, and the importance of curiosity in shaping one’s journey.

Below are edited excerpts from the conversation.

Q1. Your journey spans sales, marketing, podcasting and entrepreneurship. What does being a modern Indian woman mean to you today?

Though these roles look different, the core skill behind all of them is connection. Whether it is hospitality, podcasting or partnerships, everything comes down to understanding people and building relationships.

Hospitality is about hosting people and creating experiences. Podcasting is about holding meaningful conversations and understanding what’s happening in someone’s mind. My corporate role also revolves around partnerships and alliances.

For me, being a modern woman means you can have it all and you should have it all. You don’t have to follow just one path.

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Q2. Do you believe women today should stop trying to fit into one box?

Absolutely.

If I talk about my background, I am a BCA graduate, and technically my career path should have been very different — perhaps a typical technical role.

But today I’m doing something completely different.

I come from a very small town, where traditionally the safest career paths were teaching, banking or similar roles. But today, I am doing three very different things — podcasting, corporate alliances, and entrepreneurship.

Podcasting itself didn’t even exist as a career option a few years ago. So it’s not necessary to follow a predefined path.

Q3. Coming from a small town, how was the transition when you moved to a bigger city?

People have been very kind.

I believe the biggest reason I am able to do what I’m doing today is because of the people who supported me — friends, mentors, colleagues and partners.

When you start something new, you don’t always know what the future holds. There are moments when you don’t even have enough money to survive.

At those times, it is the people around you who support you emotionally and sometimes financially. That support system makes all the difference.

Q4. Through your podcast you have interviewed many entrepreneurs and leaders. What is one powerful insight about women leadership that surprised you?

Recently we recorded a Women’s Day special episode with several women entrepreneurs — including doctors, wellness founders and real estate leaders.

One thing that stood out was that most successful women leaders were not driven by activism or constant conflict.

Instead, they were strategic thinkers.

They knew how to handle work, relationships, personal life and business challenges through strategy rather than confrontation.

Q5. Women often face invisible barriers like self-doubt or societal expectations. What was the biggest invisible barrier you had to overcome?

The biggest barrier is often inside your own mind.

Sometimes we are conditioned to believe we can only do certain things. These narratives get embedded into our subconscious.

Before overcoming external barriers, you have to break the internal narratives that limit you.

Q6. You are also involved in hospitality ventures. What has the hospitality business taught you about human behaviour that podcasting cannot?

Podcasting started as a passion project driven by curiosity.

But hospitality is very different.

When we started the venture, the initial intention was business and revenue. But when results don’t come immediately, it teaches you patience.

It teaches you that business is unpredictable and success requires patience and resilience.

Q7. Do you believe storytelling is a powerful tool for empowerment?

Absolutely.

Stories influence people deeply.

I grew up reading books and watching films, and storytelling has always shaped my thinking. On my podcast, we never focus on marketing narratives.

We focus on real stories — the journeys behind people and the lessons they carry.

Stories create the strongest impact.

Q8. Society often has stereotypes about ambitious women. What is the biggest myth you think still exists?

Honestly, today’s generation is moving beyond those myths.

Gen Z especially doesn’t accept traditional hierarchies the way previous generations did.

In workplaces today, younger professionals respect work and value rather than titles or authority.

So I believe we are moving toward a generation that creates narratives rather than blindly following them.

Q9. Entrepreneurship is never easy. What moment tested your resilience the most?

There have been many such moments, and the journey still continues.

Coming from a modest background, financial challenges are real. Often you cannot ask your parents for money even when you need support.

Interestingly, families sometimes spend large amounts on weddings but hesitate to invest in businesses.

So there were moments when survival itself became a challenge.

But the only answer is keep going — regardless of good days, bad days, financial struggles or uncertainty.

Q10. Your businesses are bootstrapped. What keeps you motivated?

Yes, we are fully bootstrapped.

For me, motivation comes from the work itself.

You just keep moving forward. Eventually the work rewards you.

Q11. How do you balance ambition, creativity and personal well-being?

Balance comes down to priorities.

There are days when work must take priority over personal plans, and there are times when personal life needs attention.

The key is to prioritise consciously and let go of guilt.

When it comes to well-being, discipline matters. For example, I follow a routine of workouts or swimming during the week.

Well-being is not a one-day decision — it is a continuous practice.

Q12. What advice would you give to a young woman who wants to start something of her own?

Just start.

I’m honestly not someone who follows too many pieces of advice.

Everyone’s circumstances and journeys are different.

So instead of waiting for the perfect moment or perfect guidance, just begin.

Q13. On Women’s Day, what message would you like to share with women still discovering their voice?

Stay curious.

Keep asking questions.

Curiosity has helped me in every role I’ve taken — whether it’s my job, podcast or entrepreneurial journey.

Read more. Watch good films. Explore ideas.

And most importantly, don’t be limited by the narratives that society has already written for you.

Q14. What is your long-term vision?

Honestly, I don’t believe in extremely rigid plans.

The world is evolving very fast — technology, geopolitics, industries and opportunities change constantly.

But there are a few things I know for sure.

With the podcast, I want to build better conversations and global collaborations, bringing international voices onto the platform.

In corporate life, I enjoy sales and marketing because it allows me to help businesses grow.

And in hospitality, I genuinely enjoy hosting people and serving food.

Food, conversation and storytelling — these are the things I love doing.

If today I can impact 10 people, in the future I want to impact millions through meaningful content and experiences.