Voices of MomsLeague: Nivedita Jena, Mrs India People's Choice '24 & Founder Nupi by Nivedita
MLG : From Indigo to Mrs India to founder: what drove you?
Nivedita : Honestly… I think I was always searching for a version of myself that felt truly complete. Working with Indigo gave me confidence, Mrs India made me believe in myself again. But becoming a founder came from something deeper — the desire to build something meaningful from my roots. NUPI by Nivedita came from my heart. I grew up seeing the beauty of our culture, our handlooms, our stories and somewhere deep down I knew I didn’t want them to stay unnoticed. I wanted to create something that carried emotion, identity, and a piece of home with it. I wanted to bring the beauty of Assamese and Manipuri craftsmanship to a larger audience and create a brand with emotion, culture, and purpose. Maybe that’s what drove me — the feeling that I was meant to build something of my own. And I’ve always believed that a woman can evolve through many versions of herself without losing her identity.
MLG : Biggest mindset shift becoming a founder?
Nivedita : The biggest shift was realising that being a founder can feel very lonely sometimes. People see the beautiful side — the shoots, the branding, the products — but they don’t see the overthinking, self-doubt, sleepless nights, or how many times you question yourself quietly. I had to stop seeking validation and start trusting my own journey, even when things were moving slowly. That changed me completely.
MLG : What founder myth did you believe?
Nivedita : I genuinely believed that if your work is good enough, people will automatically notice it. But the truth is, so many talented people stay unseen because they’re afraid to show up. I had to learn that building a brand is also about being visible, telling your story, repeating yourself, and believing in your vision even before others do. That was uncomfortable for me at first.
MLG : One advice to younger you on failure?
Nivedita : I would tell my younger self: don’t be scared of starting before you feel ready. Failure is not embarrassing. Most people are too busy fighting their own battles to remember your mistakes anyway. Every time I failed, I thought it was the end, but looking back, those moments shaped me the most. Every setback teaches you something that success never can. Sometimes life breaks your confidence only to rebuild you into someone stronger, softer, and more real. People who eventually grow are usually the ones who didn’t quit after failing.
