SAWN Monthly Spotlight: Priya Narula

#SAWNSpotlight for July is Priya Narula, co-founder at not one but two thriving ventures in the Twin Cities - Keyhubs®, a consulting services firm focused on organizational development, and Neighborhood Forest - a non-profit social initiative to grow more trees.

Tell us about your ventures and what drew you to the field?  

There are two! I am co-founder of Keyhubs®, a software and services company specializing in the power of human networks, connection, and awareness of self and others. We are passionate about empowering organizations and building thriving cultures by identifying and empowering their key influencers.

Our second initiative, Neighborhood Forest, is a non-profit social venture dedicated to giving children their very own tree to plant – for free – every Earth Day. We are on track to reach one million children by 2026, making a significant dent in our carbon footprint while also instilling a love for our planet in young children.

Both ventures started as passion projects around the same time in 2008. I didn't immediately dive into them full-time. It took some time before we fully committed to these endeavors.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment so far? 

My most significant accomplishment has been navigating the challenges with both ventures and not giving up! While 2015 was an incredibly successful year for Keyhubs®, we had several setbacks in 2016. My perseverance and firm belief in our unique culture development program allowed us to keep going. Looking back, I am grateful for the ups and downs because it pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. We survived, focused on reinventing our technology and growing our community of practitioners. Neighborhood Forest also faced a challenging period when we experienced a decline in interest from schools for our program. We kept going because we love what we do! Eventually our program went viral when a library in Michigan participated and posted about us on their Facebook page.

Did you always aspire to be an entrepreneur and work in consulting? 

Having grown up observing my father start multiple businesses, and struggle as an entrepreneur, I initially didn't envision myself becoming an entrepreneur. I came to the US after college and had the privilege of not rushing into a career and instead expanding my knowledge in areas that interested me. When my husband shared the idea of Keyhubs® with me, I was captivated. I embarked on an entrepreneurial journey in 2008 without even realizing it. There's a running joke in our household that I'm going to finish what my father started! 

What advice would you give someone who is interested in starting in this field?  

I would advise anyone interested in starting their own venture, in any field to ensure they have a genuine passion for what they do. Loving your work is crucial. Additionally, maintaining faith, working hard, and embracing perseverance are essential ingredients for success in this journey.

Is there a particular person or organization you dream of collaborating with? Why? 

I would love to collaborate with Daniel Lubetzky, the founder of Kind Bar, and his organization. I deeply admire their mission, values, and his personal entrepreneurial journey. It would be a fascinating opportunity to map their organization's networks and observe how they differ from other organizations we have worked with. Regarding Neighborhood Forest, partnering with Patagonia and their foundation would be a dream come true. The company’s commitment to environmental stewardship would make them an ideal partner for our initiative.