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Manasi Gangan
Founder & President at Nested Bean Inc.
Manasi Gangan is the Founder and President of Nested Bean Inc., a high-growth consumer goods startup specializing in infant sleep and wellness products.
Background and Experience
Manasi Gangan has over 20 years of experience in leadership roles, particularly in the information technology, digital transformation, and consumer goods industries. Before founding Nested Bean, she worked as a Program Manager at Fidelity Investments from 2000 to 2010 and as an IT Consultant for various companies, including Keane Inc., from 1995 to 2000. She also served as a member of the Entrepreneurship Advisory Board at FedEx from 2016 to 2017.1
Founding of Nested Bean
Manasi Gangan founded Nested Bean in 2012, driven by her personal experience as a sleep-deprived mother. Her second son refused to sleep unless he was held, prompting her to research infant sleep cycles and develop a solution. Using her engineering background, she created a weighted swaddling blanket that mimicked the calming sensation of being held. The initial prototype showed an 80% success rate with babies in her neighborhood, leading her to expand the product line.23
Products and Business Growth
Nested Bean offers a range of sleep wellness products, including weighted garments, blankets, and onesies, designed to help babies and toddlers sleep better. The company has experienced significant growth, with $14 million in sales and a 3X year-over-year growth rate since 2016. Initially, the products were sold through local retail stores and independent boutiques, but the company later shifted its focus to online sales, particularly through Amazon, which has been instrumental in scaling the business.23
Marketing and Community Building
Manasi Gangan has been innovative in her marketing strategies, transitioning from a retail-focused approach to a direct-to-consumer model. She has leveraged social media platforms, such as Facebook, to create a community of brand evangelists. Nested Bean also partners with sleep experts to provide sleep education and wellness content, moving beyond just product sales to a broader commitment to sleep wellness.3
Awards and Recognition
Nested Bean's products have received notable recognition, including the JPMA Innovations Award in 2012 for the Zen Swaddle, which has been effective not only for well babies but also for those undergoing narcotic withdrawal in NICU settings.1
