With only IDR 150 thousand in capital, Ieko Damayanti is able to make woven water hyacinth for export
www.sahabatalamandycraft.web.id – Living independently and empowered is a goal for women in this modern era. In addition, the success of inviting women in the surrounding environment to be independent will also be a matter of pride.
As did a woman from Tangerang, West Java, Ieko Damayanti, who is able to make a business of translucent water hyacinth for export. Even though he started with a minimal capital of only Rp. 150 thousand.
This 33-year-old woman owns CV Sahabat Alam, a handicraft company with the brand ‘Ratu Eceng’ which empowers many women.
Ieko said that her business started because of her anxiety that it was difficult to enter the work environment. He said that not many companies are willing to recruit this girl with a high school diploma.
“Graduating from high school is very difficult to find a job because I am not perfect, which can be accepted by other offices or companies,” he said, quoted from Detik.com, Sunday (30/5/2021).
Ieko decided to become a water hyacinth entrepreneur because she saw bright opportunities in the future. Ieko saw the choice of opening a business was the right choice at that time. Moreover, he does have aspirations to be independent and have his own business.
Ieko continued, his efforts in starting a business were not an easy matter. As a young woman, she admits that she doesn’t have much capital and experience.
Armed with courage and persistence, he started a business with a capital of only Rp. 150,000. Ieko opened a small weaving industry and began to learn all things business independently.
“Indeed I should have started a company. Finally, I was self-taught in this business,” said Ieko.
He said that the process of starting the water hyacinth business did not immediately produce results. Even Ieko still has to be willing to work side-by-side in a gadget shop in order to increase business capital and continue to develop her love of business.
In addition, Ieko revealed that he received business capital financing support from BRI to develop his business. He said that the capital support from BRI had a big impact on small businesses.
Ieko said he was happy and grateful to be able to work with BRI. He considered BRI very supportive both in terms of capital, assistance, and training.
“I think it’s not enough just to get here but how this business continues to grow and continue to be useful for many people. Thank you BRI for the extraordinary support,” said Ieko.
He added that his Queen Eceng business had participated in the BRI Incubator program. From this program, his business entered the top 10 in Indonesia, until he looked for buyers from abroad so that his products could be exported.
“Well, when BRILIANPRENEUR last year I was invited and passed so I could display my products at the international event. And that’s where I finally met a buyer from Los Angeles, our marketing is not only in Los Angeles but our marketing, Alhamdulillah, has gone to Japan,” he said. .
With this achievement, Ieko also carried out a renewal of her business goal, namely empowering local women. She felt the need to share her water hyacinth weaving skills with other women.
He also tried to gather other superwoman around him to weave water hyacinth. Ieko hopes to help women earn an income, and be empowered at home.
As time passed and the number of orders increased, the number of people Ieko taught increased. Not only in Sindang Jaya, Tangerang, Banten, but also in the districts of Ciledug to Parung.
Regarding turnover, Ieko admitted that his business is currently able to print Rp. 15 million to Rp. 35 million. With this income, Ieko stated that he would expand his business again.
“This business is not only for profit for myself, but for the community at large,” continued Ieko.
From his efforts that had been underestimated by people, Ieko was able to build a new house, and make his own weaving house. In the future, this 33-year-old woman also plans to have a gallery of a beautiful 3-story woven house.
