Priti Gupta and Ben Morris are from Mumbai.
She used to sell wild fruits and flowers at a local market in her home state of India.
She says it was difficult to make a living, as she used to spend the whole day in the market.
It was a way of life that had been in her family for a long time.
A customer who was impressed with her produce and attitude offered her a job and changed her life.
She has been buying produce for Dweller Teas, a start-up with a focus on unusual and forgotten Indian plants and flowers that can be used in teas and infusions.
It's still a lot of work. Some of the ingredients that Mrs. Nongthombam visits are grown by farmers and others are collected in the wild.
She takes buses to remote villages to scout for produce and then returns later in a tuk-tuk or three-wheeled taxi to make her final purchases.
It is very fulfilling to collect wild fruits and flowers. Since childhood we have been collecting these fruits, but other than the people of northeast India, nobody knew about them.
Eli Yambem saved $25,000 to start Dweller Teas. She has cafes in Imphal.
She says that tea is one of the local strengths of the region, and that we have an abundance of indigenous plants that are yet to be shared with the world.
The traditional knowledge and memories associated with indigenous plants are slowly fading. I wanted to share the hidden goodness and innovative flavours.
Ms Yambem remembers the shrub Nongmangkha from her childhood.
It is a traditional plant that is used for its antiviral properties. My grandma used to boil the leaves to help me with cold and cough.
According to the Tea Board of India, only products with a minimum of 70% tea leaves can be called teas.
Exotic and herbal infusions are the most dynamic part of the market.
The Tea Board chairman says that the most excitement in the tea business is in this area.
He points out that most of these start-ups will close down soon after inception, but the few that survive have a chance at becoming the next unicorn given the huge valuation.
What is the key to success?
The consumer is looking for a novel presentation. The success of a brand will be determined by being able to position the product exactly in this space and be able to fulfill the expectations aroused in the consumer's mind.
The husband and wife are hoping for that. They started their tea firm, which blends tea from smaller plantations with exotic plants and flowers that are said to have health benefits.
They recommend the blends for coughs and colds, which have been selling well during the Covid epidemic.
A drink made with butterfly pea flower and green tea is caffeine-free.
Exotic blends appeal to health-conscious consumers who are buying products based on their health benefits. Those are the people who have been the most influential in thewellness industry.
Health drinks have an important place in this business, as the wellness sector is an up and coming sector.
As it gave us plenty of opportunities, we decided to try and explore this market.
The tea giants have also moved in, including the second biggest tea brand in India.
Consumers are more open to trying out new experiences and blends, and are choosing premium products, according to the company, which has been investing in its Good Earth and Teapigs brands.
Smaller start-ups know they have to provide something different to stay ahead of their competitors.
Mrs. Nongthombam hoped that the lifetime spent gathering wild produce would be useful for many years to come.
It was a lucky day when I met Elizabeth. She immediately hired me. I have been paid and appreciated for my hard work. It has been a turning point in my life.
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