HITAM PUTIH - INDONESIA HERITAGE (25/7/16) 4-1

Summary

This inspiring video tells the story of a young woman, Siti Geovani, who turned her passion for batik into a thriving business. Despite coming from a broken home and starting with limited capital, she built the largest batik wholesale center in Indonesia, the Trusmi Batik Mall. Starting at 17, she transitioned from selling shrouds to selling batik fabric, learning from craftsmen and eventually creating her own designs. At just 27, she owns a 1.5-hectare mall, employs over 1,200 people, and has expanded into the property sector, proving that persistence and innovation can lead to immense success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Selovani started her entrepreneurial journey at 17, facing personal challenges like coming from a broken home and lacking the means to attend college.
• 😀 Initially, she and her husband started a business selling shroud cloth (kafan), which had limited repeat customers, leading to a change in business direction.
• 😀 The business pivoted to batik, inspired by the local batik craftsmen around her, which eventually became a major focus of her career.
• 😀 Selovani learned the batik-making process by engaging directly with batik artisans, experimenting with both stamped and hand-drawn techniques.
• 😀 Market research played a crucial role in her success, as she adapted her batik designs based on what sold well in various markets, including Tanah Abang and Pasar Baru.
• 😀 Her business grew rapidly as she expanded beyond local markets, selling batik to major cities like Bandung, Surabaya, and Bali.
• 😀 At 22, Selovani opened Trusmi Batik, a large one-stop batik shopping mall in Cirebon, which became the largest batik wholesale center in Indonesia.
• 😀 Trusmi Batik Mall spans 1.5 hectares and has 10 branches, employing 850 employees and 400 batik craftsmen.
• 😀 Selovani's business success is a result of persistence, adaptability, and her commitment to learning and growing her knowledge base in batik and business management.
• 😀 Despite her young age, Selovani has ventured into the property sector, expanding her business ventures beyond batik and demonstrating her diverse entrepreneurial capabilities.

Q & A

What inspired the founder to start a business in batik?

The founder, initially involved in selling shrouds, realized that she could make better use of her surroundings and business knowledge. After interacting with batik craftsmen, she saw an opportunity to sell fabric for batik production and eventually learned the craft herself.

How did the founder transition from selling shrouds to selling batik?

The founder started by selling shrouds made of kafan cloth, a simple business with minimal design choices. However, she sought to expand her business, eventually discovering that her shroud cloth could be used as raw material for batik. This pivot allowed her to build a successful batik business.

What challenges did the founder face when starting her business?

The founder faced several challenges, including having little capital, business experience, and a lack of formal education. She had to adapt quickly, starting with a simple product and gradually learning the intricacies of batik-making from local craftsmen.

At what age did the founder start her business, and how did her personal background influence her journey?

The founder began her business at the age of 17, after getting married. Coming from a broken home and unable to afford higher education, she was motivated to seek financial stability and independence, which drove her to start a business.

What role did persistence play in the founder's success?

Persistence was a key factor in the founder’s success. Despite starting with minimal resources and facing setbacks, she continuously learned from her mistakes, adapted her business model, and worked tirelessly to grow her brand and expand her business.

How did the founder expand her business after starting with a small-scale operation?

The founder expanded her business by selling batik fabric at various markets such as Tanah Abang and Pasar Baru, and even traveled long distances, including a 30-hour car ride to Bali. Her persistence and willingness to learn from others helped her succeed in reaching a wider market.

How did the government support the founder’s business?

The government supported the founder's business by helping her participate in various events and ensuring that her batik business gained exposure. This support played a key role in helping her grow and connect with more customers.

What is the scale of the founder's business now?

The founder’s business has grown significantly, with Batik Trusmi now having 10 branches and a large wholesale center in Cirebon. The business includes a one-stop shopping mall for batik products, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop, and it employs over 850 staff members.

What advice did the founder offer about getting married at a young age?

The founder emphasized that getting married young was a personal choice that helped her gain financial stability. She did not view it as a setback but as a means to pursue her business aspirations while having a supportive partner.

What are the future plans for the founder's business?

In addition to expanding her batik business, the founder is now exploring the property sector, including building apartments and housing, alongside her husband's ventures. However, she continues to manage and grow her batik business.