EP17: From Fast Fashion to Indigenous Artisans: How Niha Elety Built a Sustainable Fashion Empire While Working 9-5 as a Biomedical Engineer

Join host Elizabeth Teo as she sits down with Niha Elety, climate activist, sustainable fashion designer, and co-founder of Tega Collective and Understory. In this inspiring episode, Niha shares her journey from biomedical engineering student to building two successful impact organizations while maintaining her 9-5 job. Niha shares her transformative journey from Dallas, Texas to spending 7 formative years in Hyderabad, India (ages 11-18), where she discovered sustainable living practices and direct relationships with farmers and artisans that shaped her entire worldview. From childhood memories of her grandmother buying vegetables from balcony vendors to cutting up her grandfather's lungi at age 5 to make her first 'crop top,' Niha's India experience taught her that sustainability isn't a trend, it's a way of life many communities have practiced for generations. Discover how Niha: Built Tega Collective with a 15% profit-sharing model for indigenous artisans Co-founded Understory to tell underrepresented climate stories through documentaries Balances full-time work with passion projects and content creation Turned cultural appropriation concerns into ethical collaboration opportunities Uses storytelling to combat racism and build community connections Perfect for aspiring social entrepreneurs, sustainability advocates, and anyone looking to create meaningful impact while building a stable career. Learn actionable strategies for working with indigenous communities, funding passion projects, and using your skills for climate action. Connect with Niha Elety: Instagram: @nihaelety Website: nihaelety.com Tega Collective: @tegacollective (Instagram) | tegacollective.com Understory: @understoryorg (Instagram)