In partnership with
What happens when a health scare leads someone to reinvent the olive oil aisle—and they end up in the middle of a New York Times “olive oil war” after being called out online by another founder?
In this episode of Hot Smart Rich, I sit down with Aishwarya Iyer, founder of Brightland, to unpack how a personal wellness wake-up call became the spark for a category-defining pantry brand that landed on Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2022. Aishwarya shares how her health shifted everything, why she looked to fashion houses like Gucci and Ralph Lauren—not food brands—for inspiration, and how she turned olive oil into a cult-status luxury product. We also get into how wholesale partnerships with Amazon and Nordstrom helped scale her business.
We talk about what it really takes to build a premium brand in a saturated category, how she handles copycats with clarity instead of chaos, and why going viral has never been part of her strategy. Aishwarya also opens up about becoming a mom after nine years of marriage, not being sure if she even wanted kids—and how motherhood reshaped her identity, ambition, and leadership.
If you’re building a brand, navigating personal change, or redefining success on your own terms, this one’s for you.
Our HSR Angels can use code HSR BRIGHTLAND for 20% off for first purchase up until November 1, 2025!
What You'll Hear In This Episode:
From burnout to Brightland. A personal health scare became the catalyst for creating Brightland. Aishwarya wasn’t trying to build a brand—she was trying to solve a real problem in her kitchen, and that authenticity became her differentiator.
Luxury lives in the details. Brightland took cues from Gucci and Ralph Lauren, not grocery store brands. Aishwarya explains how packaging, positioning, and purpose turned olive oil and vinegar into cultural objects—and why premium pricing only works when the product backs it up.
Copycats come with success. After a 2023 New York Times article dubbed the rise of “olive oil wars,” Aishwarya opens up about what it felt like to be publicly called out by the Graza co-founder and watch newer brands copy Brightland’s aesthetic. Her reflection reframes the role of a founder—not as a gatekeeper, but as a category shaper—and why you have to lead with vision, not defensiveness.
Motherhood magnifies everything. Giving birth shortly after launching Brightland forced Aishwarya to confront founder guilt, postpartum recovery, and identity shifts. She shares what it’s like to lead a high-growth brand while navigating new motherhood.
Your superpower isn’t always visibility. Aishwarya doesn’t rely on TikTok—and that’s by design. She breaks down why she’s never chased virality, what worked instead, and how staying behind the scenes helped her build long-term brand equity.
♡ I’m Drinking My Skincare ♡
HSR girls are drinking their skincare in 2025. I’ve had the Pique radiant skin duo in my pantry for over a year and it’s my inside-out skincare ritual. The Sun Goddess Matcha brings antioxidants to brighten, firm, and energize, the BT Fountain adds clinically proven ceramides to your water for deep hydration, reduced redness, and smoother skin. I have it with me in Europe and it actually tastes as good as it looks!
♡ Kitchen Staple ♡
This is my forever go-to for cooking. Sourced with care, rooted in quality—it makes every meal feel intentional.
♡ Herbal Rituals ♡
My supplement shelf is stocked with natural blends that support immunity, energy, and stress relief—no fillers, just function.
♡ Purpose Pages ♡
I journal daily to stay grounded. It keeps me clear, connected, and moving with intention.
♡ Sauce Fix ♡
Dinner in under 10 minutes, no compromises. Clean ingredients, bold flavor, and zero stress.
♡ Reset Space ♡
My favorite way to drop back into my body—breathwork, meditation, and mindful movement, all in one place.
♡ Walk Weights ♡
I add light resistance to walks or flows to make every movement feel more purposeful. Bonus: they’re actually cute.
♡ Stillness Guide ♡
These teachings shaped how I approach stillness and awareness. Timeless reminders to slow down and be.
♡ Sustainable Staples ♡
My favorite pieces are sustainably made and designed to last. It’s fashion with thoughtfulness and edge.
♡ Glassware Joy ♡
Every sip feels like a ceremony. Thoughtful design that turns daily rituals into quiet luxuries.
♡ Snoopy Joy ♡
A soft reminder of childhood and joy. It lives on my shelf and makes me smile every time I see it.
♡ Hot, Smart, Rich Tips ♡
♡ Hot Hack ♡
Exfoliate your lips with a baby washcloth and olive oil before lipstick — instantly lush.
♡ Smart Hack ♡
Write like a human, speak with heart. That’s how people remember you.
♡ Rich Tip ♡
If it’s not a “hell yes” to buy or invest, it’s a “no.” Emotional ROI matters too.
♡ Favorite Part of The Conversation ♡
The universe and remembering our mortality.
♡ Something People Don’t Know About You ♡
I’ve never jumped off a diving board or been in a swimming pool deeper than 5 feet.
♡ About The Guest ♡
Aishwarya Iyer — Founder and CEO of Brightland
Aishwarya Iyer is the founder and CEO of Brightland, the modern pantry brand known for its beautifully packaged, consciously sourced olive oils and vinegars. Launched in 2018, Brightland quickly gained cult status for reimagining everyday staples as luxury, design-forward essentials—and landed on Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2022. Aishwarya’s background spans corporate communications and startups, but it was a personal health scare that inspired her to create something radically different in the food space. Today, she leads Brightland with a deep focus on quality, storytelling, and sustainability—shaping not just a brand, but a category.