Fabric of community: How small businesses are fostering collective growth
The world of entrepreneurship is often painted in broad strokes: grand ideas of start-ups, venture capitalists, and the allure of overnight individual success. However, in the tapestry of this world, countless threads weave a different story: one of quiet determination, everyday struggles, and the unwavering pursuit of a collective dream. In Cirebon, Indonesia, women are leading the way with their entrepreneurial spirit.
Entrepreneurial spirit inked in batik
Sri is a second-generation batik artisan from Cirebon in northwestern Java. Inspired by her family's heritage and fueled by a love for this intricate art, she started the journey of founding Batik Trisha in 2010. Despite encountering many challenges in the initial phase, Sri persevered in her mission to uphold Cirebon's batik legacy dating back to the 16th century.
Batik Trisha represents more than just a personal passion; it serves as a platform for uplifting fellow batik artisans in Cirebon and beyond. For Sri, one pivotal aspect in sustaining this heritage lies in working with the youth of Cirebon. She hires young people and has led workshops on Batik and entrepreneurship for more than 45 youths from her village. Beyond her own small business, Sri partners with the city’s department of social services to provide batik training for women so they may acquire a new skill to earn income.
Before teaching students how to sketch and wax a batik pattern, Sri begins with the philosophy of the art form steeped in tradition, where each design has its own meaning. She believes that this approach could ensure the legacy of this craft lives on—because it is rooted in their heart and nurtured with passion.
Small business communities striving for a better future
A part of Sri’s entrepreneurial journey was supported by Mercy Corps collaboration with the Mastercard Strive in Indonesia programme, which provided training and mentorship that is essential to navigating the complexities of the market and propel their businesses forward. Since she participated in the programme, Sri is able to better support her family with increased income and has hired employees and contractors from her community.
The Mastercard Strive in Indonesia programme has supported around 52,000 small businesses in West Java—60% of which are women-led or owned—and aims to work with 350,00 more businesses across the country. The programme fosters more sustainable growth for small businesses, connecting them to a network of entrepreneurs who are also working to thrive in a digital economy. The Strive community offers information on best practices and peer-to-peer learning, so all of the small businesses may grow alongside one another.
The founder of Pandansari Female Farmers group, Siti, is another participant of the Strive programme who is not only growing her own business but also offering a pathway for other families to create income. Through the Pandansari collective, Siti leads and manages a salted egg business, which is providing a stable income for women from more than 20 households in the community.
The collective began when COVID-19 first struck and caused many households to lose their incomes. Siti invited her neighbors to build a community-based business as a way to uplift everyone during a challenging time. Their collective business was simple: they purchased eggs, brined them, and sold the salted eggs directly to customers. All of the 20 housewives who are a part of the collective have increased their incomes through the business. A part of this growth was supported by the Mastercard Strive programme, which provided training from marketing to financial literacy. Siti and the collective are aiming to grow their business further through digital marketing, and hope to purchase an oven which would produce better quality salted eggs. Combining personal growth and collective action, Siti is leading the group business to foster economic security in her village.
Sri and Siti’s small business stories exemplify how entrepreneurship is not just about individual success—it's about forging bonds, nurturing communities, and creating pathways for collective prosperity. It's about recognising the untapped potential within every individual and providing them with the platform to thrive.
