From launching brands to fostering thriving communities, Priyanka Gill has built a career on innovation and impact. As Founder & CEO of COLUXE, she continues to shape the digital-first business world. In this interview, she reflects on leadership challenges, the power of content, and how staying adaptable has been the key to long-term success.
You’ve built multiple businesses and championed the cause of female founders. What do you see as the biggest challenges women face in leadership roles today, and how can we create more equitable opportunities for women to thrive in entrepreneurship and beyond?
The biggest challenge women face in leadership roles today is access to capital. Despite the growth of female entrepreneurship, women-led businesses still receive a fraction of the funding compared to their male counterparts. This disparity affects growth opportunities and overall success. Additionally, women often face unconscious bias in decision-making processes, which can prevent them from being promoted or receiving key opportunities.
To create more equitable opportunities, we need to ensure equal access to funding—initiatives like CXXO by Kalaari Capital are crucial in addressing this gap by backing women entrepreneurs. It’s also important to promote mentorship and networking for women to help them grow and thrive. Inclusive workplace policies, such as flexible work structures, are necessary to support women’s leadership and enable them to balance professional and personal responsibilities without compromising career advancement.
Over the years, you’ve built multiple successful brands that resonate deeply with their audiences. What are the key principles you follow when building a brand that not only stands out but also creates a lasting impact? How do you balance staying true to your vision while adapting to evolving market trends?
When building a brand that resonates and creates lasting impact, the key principles are:
- Authenticity – Stay true to your core mission and values. The brand needs to have a clear purpose that speaks to its audience.
- Content & Community – A brand is more than a product—it’s a conversation. High-quality content builds credibility, while a strong community fosters loyalty and engagement.
- Consistency – Every touchpoint with the customer, whether it’s a product or communication, should reflect the brand’s vision and promise.
- Adaptability – While staying true to your vision, it’s important to evolve with market trends. This means continuously innovating and staying open to new ideas without straying too far from the brand’s essence.
Balancing staying true to the vision and adapting requires being strategic. It’s about identifying which trends align with your brand and which ones will compromise its integrity. Staying close to your community and continuously gathering feedback ensures you stay relevant without losing sight of your core purpose.
Your journey has been marked by constant evolution—from freelance writing to entrepreneurship, angel investing, and now leading a digital-first conglomerate. What are the most significant lessons you’ve learned along the way, and what have you had to unlearn to stay relevant and innovative in a fast-changing business landscape?
The most significant lesson I’ve learned is that reinvention is essential. The business landscape is evolving rapidly, and the ability to adapt is key. Early on, I learned that success doesn’t come from perfection or doing it all alone—it’s about being action-oriented and learning as you go.
I’ve had to unlearn perfectionism—things don’t need to be flawless to start; they need to be actionable. I also unlearned the idea that I have to do everything myself. The more I embraced delegation and built a team I trust, the faster we’ve been able to scale. Another thing I had to unlearn was the fear of failure—failure is inevitable in entrepreneurship, but it’s also one of the best ways to learn. What matters is how quickly you get back up and pivot.
You’ve consistently emphasized the importance of content & community, whether through POPxo’s safe space for women or the Good Creator Co.’s ecosystem for creators. How do you see the role of content & community in driving innovation and growth, and what can other leaders learn from your approach to building inclusive, empowering networks?
Content & community are the most powerful assets a brand or business can have. A strong community doesn’t just amplify your reach—it builds trust, advocacy, and long-term loyalty.
Content & community matters in business because it creates deep emotional connection. People don’t just buy products; they buy into stories, values, and shared experiences. Additionally, it drives organic growth. A loyal community becomes your strongest advocate and word-of-mouth marketing force. What’s more, they enable co-creation and feedback loops – The best businesses listen to their communities and evolve based on real insights.
At Coluxe, we are creating a content & community-first luxury brand, where our customers co-create with us—whether it’s through product feedback, storytelling, or exclusive experiences. The future belongs to brands that engage deeply rather than just sell.
As someone who has successfully navigated multiple industries and roles, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, who are looking to build their own ventures? Are there specific mindsets, habits, or strategies you believe are critical for long-term success?
To aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, my advice is to start before you’re ready. Waiting for the “perfect moment” is a trap—take the leap and learn as you go. Resilience is key in entrepreneurship. There will be ups and downs, but what sets successful entrepreneurs apart is their ability to get back up quickly after setbacks.
There are some habits that are critical for long-term success, such as focusing on execution over ideas. It’s not about having the best ideas, but about executing them effectively and swiftly.
It’s important to stay curious, and embrace new technologies, trends, and opportunities. Innovation comes from constantly learning and evolving.
