Dinda, 25, started her handmade bracelet business, Temali, from her hobby of collecting bracelets. She learned production techniques and material development independently through Pinterest and YouTube, then began selling her products on Shopee at the age of 18, around 2019.

Temali bracelets are inspired by Balinese bracelets made with cords or threads and various decorative elements. They are priced between Rp45,000 and Rp155,000 and produced by hand using techniques including hand stitching and braided bracelet methods.

According to Dinda, Temali products have been sold across Java, Bali, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Maluku. To strengthen the customer experience, she also takes part in pop-up market bazaars where potential buyers can see and try the products directly.

For online sales, Dinda pays attention to the quality of product photos and videos, as well as detailed descriptions of materials and sizes. She also uses a pre-order system so production matches demand and hires freelance workers when orders increase.

Another story comes from Ika Safitri and her husband, Harun, who developed a stuffed cireng business after Harun was laid off. Starting with Rp2 million in capital and selling in front of a school in Depok, their business, Cireng Asik, later expanded through Shopee.

Ika said Cireng Asik’s online turnover now reaches around Rp700,000 to Rp800,000 per day, exceeding sales from the school canteen. The cireng is shipped to South Sumatra, Lampung, Java, and Bali, while Temali is an example of a craft product that has reached customers in Maluku.

CNN Indonesia reported that digitalization gives small businesses opportunities to reach wider markets, although higher turnover does not necessarily mean higher margins. CORE Indonesia economist Yusuf Rendy Manilet said MSMEs also need support in inventory management, margins, branding, product standardization, financing, and market access. Source: CNN Indonesia Nasional.