Eight Lessons I’ve Learned Building Nangi (Eight Years In)

At the end of every year, we naturally look back. But this year feels different. 2025 marks eight years since Nangi began — eight years of learning, unlearning, building, doubting, trusting, adjusting, and continuing anyway. When we started, we never set out to build fast or loud. We wanted to build right. And eight years in, that intention still guides us.

These are the eight lessons that have shaped both Nangi — and me — along the way.

1. You don’t have to risk everything to begin

For four years, I kept my 9–5 while building Nangi.

At the time, I sometimes felt “behind.” Other founders were going all in, raising money, moving faster. But what I learned is this: slow beginnings can be incredibly strong foundations. Keeping my job gave us financial stability, space to think clearly, and the freedom to make long-term decisions instead of desperate ones.

Building slowly isn’t a weakness. It’s a strategy.

2. Life doesn’t pause for business

So many people told me to wait with kids.

But building a company takes years — and life doesn’t wait neatly on the sidelines. If I had waited for the “perfect” moment, I wouldn’t have my three little humans today. There is no ideal timing, only choices that align with the life you want to live.

You’re allowed to build a business and a family. It will be messy — and meaningful.

3. Trust your gut, even when it’s unpopular

When we started working with lab-grown diamonds and coloured gemstones, we were told it wouldn’t work. That it wasn’t traditional enough. That the industry wasn’t ready.

But intuition has always taken us further than industry norms. Our gut told us people were ready for something different — something more conscious, more personal, more aligned with their values. And it turns out, trusting that instinct changed everything.

4. Ask fewer people for advice

In the beginning, I asked everyone for advice.

Over time, I learned that too many opinions dilute clarity. Today, I ask fewer people — mostly our own team. Because they understand our clients, our values, and our vision better than anyone else.

Listening widely is useful. Deciding narrowly is essential.

5. Take your time with the name, story, and purpose

I obsessed over the name Nangi and our logo. And I’m so glad I did.

“Nangi” means little sister in Sinhalese, and our logo connects Sri Lanka and Bergen — two places that shape who we are. These elements aren’t branding details you can swap out later. They become your identity.

Our purpose came hand in hand with the name: empowering girls in Sri Lanka isn’t a CSR project for us — it’s our why. When the story is true, it carries you through hard seasons.

Learn more about our CSR work here.

6. Stay lean and protect your independence

Being self-funded means every expense matters.

Danuka tracks everything — and thank god he does. If it were up to me alone, we’d probably be bankrupt by now. Staying lean has given us freedom: freedom to say no, freedom to grow at our own pace, and freedom to stay true to what we believe in.

Independence is quiet power.

7. Grow slowly — on purpose

If we had gone viral overnight, we wouldn’t have been ready.

Growing slowly meant learning with our clients. It meant refining our processes, our service, our craftsmanship — one ring at a time. It allowed us to build a structure that could actually support the care and quality we promise.

Fast growth is exciting. Sustainable growth lasts.

8. Feel it — then move on

Not everything goes your way. And that’s okay.

Allow yourself to feel disappointed when things don’t work out. Sit with it for a moment. Then take a breath, brush it off, and keep going. Resilience isn’t about never feeling — it’s about not getting stuck.

That’s how you build something for eight years. And beyond.

Looking Ahead

As we say goodbye to 2025, we’re deeply grateful — for our team, our clients, and everyone who has walked alongside us on this journey. Building something meaningful takes time, courage, and a lot of trust in yourself.

If you’re building something of your own: trust yourself a little more than you think you should. The best ideas rarely look “safe” in the beginning.