Podcast

The Art of Storytelling through Textile Design with Smita Netra

Smita Netra, Founder of Banyan & Birch, Sitting with a green hand stamped linen pillow.
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Banyan & Birch is Creating Not Just Decor — But Heirlooms

I met Smita Netra at an UpNext fireside chat with Sarah Lafleur, founder of M.M.Lafleur at their Chestnut Hill location this spring. The chat was all about entrepreneurship, the future of retail, and juggling biz with motherhood. Smita has a bright welcoming smile and we connected instantly while shopping sustainable fashion that night.

Since then, I have come to know Smita’s brand Banyan & Birch and I’ve loved watching her company grow this year. When Allison Yee suggested we connect with Smita UpNext on the show… I couldn’t wait to book her!

From Bio-medical Engineer to Textile Design

In this episode we chat about Smita’s pivot from biotech to textiles, why the art of storytelling in textile design matters, and how she’s growing a values-led brand.

Smita Netra is the founder and CEO of Banyan & Birch, a luxury artisanal home linens company, celebrating India’s centuries-old craft of hand block printing through modern, heirloom-quality designs.

The Story Behind Banyan & Birch

Raised in New Delhi and now based in Boston, Smita Netra left a corporate path (after realizing lab life wasn’t for her) and followed a nudge from her husband to build a brand rooted in quality, cultural storytelling, and artisan partnership.

With a textile engineer production partner in India, Banyan & Birch’s pieces tell the story of the “hands behind the pattern,” honoring time-intensive techniques and the history that inspires each collection.

During our conversation, Smita’s passion for Indian history and the cultural significance of each pattern design shined through. It was so inspiring to learn about and I can’t wait to share this episode with my grandma — who LOVES fashion history! She’s gonna dig it!

Key Takeways

  • Reframe pivots as invitations: Health challenges and a nudge from her husband to follow her passion paved the way for Smita to create Banyan & Birch.

  • Lead with quality, then evolve design: Prints change season to season; uncompromising materials and craftsmanship builds trust.

  • Storytelling about the Textiles: Sharing the artisan process turns linens into living heritage—not just decor. Her patterns are purposeful and full of history.

  • Community compounds growth: Founder friends and the Retail Playground (UpNext) support made the early days of entrepreneurship feel less lonely. She was able to strategically make choices that moved the brand forward faster by learning from biz owners before her.

  • Use AI as a tool: From inbox summaries to inspiration boards, tools like Gemini, Canva, Procreate and Adobe Illustrator help save hours and streamline creativity for her company.

00:01 — Allison at UpNext connects us; Smita’s quick intro

01:42 — From biotech + MBA to textiles (the Newbury Street moment that inspired Banyan & Birch)

06:21 — Finding the right textile engineer production partner in India

08:37 — Navigating tariffs and global supply challenges

10:18 — Why community (Retail Playground) is everything

11:16 — A health scare reframes work and life—pivoting to a founder path

14:10 — “Living heritage”: why storytelling behind the textiles is a pillar of her brand

15:38 — The craft timeline: How long it takes to create each print.

17:09 — Growth: new retailers, first international order, new categories (dish towels, bedding)

18:31 — Shoutout to Namrata, CMO/Creative Director, for brand magic

19:15 — Camera roll confession: the dog, product BTS, and more dog

23:18 — Current favorite: The Ordinary face oil (unscented)

24:48 — Mood-lifter song: “Chaiyya Chaiyya” (A. R. Rahman / Shah Rukh Khan era)

27:21 — History behind the design of their fall collection – A Mughal-inspired Noor collection

29:41 — Tools stack: Gemini (Google Workspace), Canva, Procreate, Illustrator

33:38 — Pass the mic: Kaplana from Kay’s Curries and **Ravleen from Navaa.**

34:48 — Where to find Banyan & Birch


Connect with Smita || Banyan & Birch

  1. Website: www.banyanandbirch.com
  2. Instagram: @banyanandbirch
  3. Use code Welcome15 for 15% off your order with Banyan & Birch — for FOL Podcast listeners! Thanks Smita!

Want help finding your a community of support for your retail business?

I wouldn’t have met Smita if it hadn’t been for the community that UpNext is creating for entrepreneurs locally! Get connected to entrepreneurs and resources to help your business thrive! Check out The Retail Playground Powered by UpNext. Huge shoutout to UpNext for sponsoring this series of the Frame of Life Podcast! Use our code FOL15 and FOL15Q for 15% off your monthly subscription.

Special thanks given to this week’s Podcast Editor – Yamini Shulka!

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