ABOUT US

About Tellus Outdoor

Established in 2022, Tellus was born out of founders Joe and Melissa Basta’s profound love and respect for community, nature and the great outdoors.

"Adventure with Purpose"

Former Peace Corps volunteers turned entrepreneurs, Joe and Melissa epitomize the meaning,"Adventure with Purpose.” Tellus is a combination of their passion for adventure and their commitment to positively impacting our community and our planet.

"We believe that every adventure is an opportunity to make a difference and are dedicated to creating eco-friendly outdoor wear that not only shields against the elements but also safeguards the landscapes, waters and terrain we all cherish.”

- Joe and Melissa, Tellus Co-Founders

About Tellus Outdoor

Inspiration 

Tellus is built around the goal of creating environmentally conscious, ethical outdoor wear that challenges the historically problematic clothing industry. We are inspired to develop our active outdoor wear products to simultaneously be kinder to the planet and to actively help regenerate it.

We are an innovative outdoor apparel company with a powerful mission — to lead the outdoor apparel industry as the foremost champion of sustainability. Tellus products are designed to excel in the great outdoors, keep you comfortable, and what truly sets Tellus apart, is our investment in fabrics, materials and manufacturing processes that prioritize sustainability.

Tellus

About Tellus Outdoor

Drawing inspiration from a lifetime of defining experiences, Joe and Melissa are the driving force behind Tellus. Joe brings a 30-year legacy of backpacking adventures. Along with a close-knit group of friends, Joe has explored the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia and the Dolomites and conquered the rugged terrain of the Rawahs and the Rocky Mountains. Joe's deep connection with the great outdoors fuels his passion for Tellus.
Tellus

The Other Side

In contrast, Melissa’s background comes from her early career at a Chicago public affairs firm. There she worked on projects that involved advocacy work on diverse issues, from supporting arts in education to promoting organ donor awareness and advocating for sensible gun laws. Her work in Chicago shaped her purpose-driven career and her focus on community betterment, both defining elements of Tellus.