Erviani during coconut processing training from RIF program. Photo: RIF Secretariat
Erviriani is a housewife born in Parit Pelang, Teluk Batang District, on 15 February 1996, and she is one of the beneficiaries of the Responsive Innovation Fund (RIF) program in Kayong Utara Regency, West Kalimantan Province.
Based on the knowledge obtained from the RIF program, from product processing through to product marketing, Erviriani started a culinary business which produces coconut-based products such as coconut dodol, musekat, and candied coconut. She started this business amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020.
Ervi, as she is nicknamed, was determined to start this business as her husband was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and lost his job, like so many others in the country. Her family income dropped, so she felt compelled to help her family by applying the knowledge and skills she obtained from RIF program. She was determined to try and was encouraged by a friend to try her hand at this business.
By utilizing the online media skills obtained from RIF program such as how to use online platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp for product marketing and sales, Ervi has been successful in marketing her products outside her village, and in the sub-district, district, and even between provinces. Aside from an increase in sales revenue, she also has provided job opportunities for other women to help her in production and with sales management. However, the mother of two children admits that she has limited capital and has difficulty to find increasing volumes of quality coconut raw materials which limits the production process.
Above all, she is very grateful because through her hard work she has been able to employ two workers and empower women from neighboring villages to be enthusiastic and participate in developing local products that are rare in this market.
She shared a story about the ups and downs in developing her business. She said that she borrowed Rp 100,000 from a friend for her initial capital, and that was what she continues to develop to this day.
She does not hesitate to share knowledge with others so that other mothers can also experience the benefits from the RIF program. She has experienced the full cycle of the business, from sourcing of raw materials; processing and development of the product; making the packaging designs; marketing and sales.
Ervi together with hotel manager and local government during business meetings for MSME product promotion. Photo: RIF Secretariat
With local products packaged in a modern way, Ervi has developed her marketing label as “Cocoyong, the Original Kayong Products”. Because of her hard work, she is beginning to have some business cooperation and inquiries from hotels, minimarts, food stalls, Dekranasda, exhibitions, and others in the Sukadana area and around North Kayong Regency. She is proud to own her own small business and hopes that the RIF program as well as other programs can continue to provide support for her community and others that need many supports to both start and grow their small businesses.
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