Today we’d like to introduce you to Nehi Patel.
Hi Nehi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey has been a blend of personal growth, cultural exploration, and creative evolution. I moved to the U.S. at 21 to pursue my Master’s degree, filled with ambition and a suitcase full of dreams. Los Angeles became my home for the next 8 years—a city that shaped me both professionally and creatively. I began working full-time as a Business Intelligence Analyst, but I always felt a strong pull to express myself beyond spreadsheets and dashboards.
That’s when I started sharing snippets of my life online—my experiences as an immigrant woman, solo travels, mindset shifts, and the little rituals that made everyday life feel more intentional. What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into a passion project. Over the past four years, I’ve grown a community that connects over lifestyle, travel, and motivation.
Recently, I moved to Houston to reunite with my twin sister after 8 years of long-distance sisterhood. This new chapter feels grounding and inspiring in different ways, and I’m excited to reflect that through my content. My goal is to continue building a space that encourages mindful living, celebrates small wins, and empowers other women to carve out their own version of a fulfilling life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not smooth—but that’s what makes the journey meaningful, right? Being an immigrant from India, there were (and still are) so many subtle and not-so-subtle challenges. From people making comments about my accent or spicy food jokes—sometimes even from fellow South Asians—it reminded me how even within our own communities, there’s still a lot of unlearning to do.
As a brown woman building a content space in the lifestyle and mindset niche, I often felt like I was straddling two worlds. I’d notice that creators born and raised here would naturally attract more support, especially from women in the U.S.—even though I grew up watching the same shows, vibing to the same pop culture, and ultimately sharing many of the same values. But just because I lived my life in 2 countries, it sometimes felt like I didn’t fully “belong” in either space.
That made building a community feel tougher and, honestly, a little lonely at times. But I stayed consistent and authentic, even when it felt like I was speaking into a void. And over time, I started attracting the right kind of people—the ones who saw me for the stories I tell, not where I was born. Now, I’m so grateful to have a growing community that values my content, my voice, and my perspective for what it is, not where it started.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I like to say I live in two worlds—and I love both. By day, I work full-time as a Business Intelligence Analyst, and I genuinely enjoy it. I get to put my degree to use, solve problems with data, and build tools that help people make smarter decisions. It also gives me the financial freedom to explore my creative passions without pressure, which I’m super grateful for.
Outside of the 9–5, I’m a lifestyle and travel content creator, and I’ve been building my online presence for 4 years now. I share everything from solo travel tips and mindset motivation to aesthetic routines and intentional living. I also run a travel website where I sell curated travel itineraries for people who want to explore more but hate the planning part (I got you!).
What sets me apart, I think, is that I’m not trying to fit into just one box. I’m an immigrant woman in tech who’s also deeply creative. I’ve built a life that reflects all the things I love—data, travel, storytelling, community—and I’ve learned that you don’t have to choose just one path. I’m proud of creating a space that feels real and aspirational at the same time, and of staying true to myself even when the algorithm says otherwise.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was quite shy and reserved, but incredibly studious. I was the kind of kid who found joy in good grades and quiet reading time. My parents were incredibly supportive of my academics—they always encouraged me to focus more on my studies than household chores, I was a Mumma’s girl.
I’ve always loved reading and dancing, and I had big dreams—I wanted to be a model or a teacher. It’s funny how life comes full circle, because now with content creation, I get to dip my toes into both worlds. I modeled for NYFW and for my content, and I also create educational videos for my company, which satisfies that inner teacher in me. I love that I’ve been able to live out both of those childhood dreams while still maintaining the stability of a full-time job.
And of course, I grew up with my twin sister—which meant I always had a built-in best friend. We had the best time together—dancing around the house, coming up with games, and just sharing so many moments of joy. My childhood was a happy mix of books, imagination, and sisterhood.
Pricing:
- 22.22- Travel itineraries I sell online
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGDK7eXjXk/T_Wfbqt3dzWLSHA9i2adMg/edit
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifestylewithnehi/profilecard/?igsh=ZWFzODFubWZ6ZWFx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18d1Q2Raia/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehipatel/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nehisniche?feature=shared
Image Credits
Wedding pic with Mom – Studio H Production- IG @studiohproduction
Pink NYC Shot- Olif Taeva – IG @oliftaeva.photo
