There have been many things happened that I experienced in
2017, some made me glad, some made me sad. And I have been grateful for all by
taking lessons and wisdoms.
My daughter AA has a very volatile mental health condition. Many
things in herself that I still do not understand. She is the greatest mystery
of my life. But I keep trying to find a proper and sustainable solution so that
she can live happily in a long life.
I myself, at the work where I earned a living also seemed to
be without clear orientation, and without a clear role that made me very
restricted in thinking and acting creatively. Or maybe because my interest in
plants and landscaping has been growing up.
After two visits to Korea which was very precious experiences
of my life, my concern for plants and landscaping became larger. Not only
because I saw so many beautiful plants and functional landscape arrangements in
the Ginseng Country, but also for interesting inputs at the 1st APELA Forum meeting and the 2nd
APELA Forum meeting on the benefits of plants and green landscape design for human
health, for environment, for better quality of life for all
Instead of fighting against the chemical toxins caused by
modern technological developments, I have been even more called to pursue and
build a new awareness of a healthier, more natural way of life, a life of
harmony with nature. Perhaps more precisely if I call it to restore
consciousness about the way of life according to the natural tendency of our
humanity, as a part of the entity of the entire universe.
I have desired to live my life as a freer person. But what
is freedom? As a very valuable thing, surely I have to pay dearly to get it.
Can I get out of the comfort zone? Actually my life is not as comfortable as
most other people who have a steady job with all the perks and facilities. I am
used to living a dynamic life in order to find a way of life that I can enjoy
until old age till the last day of my life. And may the year of 2017 has been
the momentum I found out the way to live on.
At the beginning of January 2017, we (my daughter and I) moved
from a free big building house to a smaller rental residence, returning to the
village where I was registered as a resident of Denpasar City. We rent a
pavilion room which is almost surrounded by many plants. Although the building
is a bit old, but I liked its natural conditioning. There were enough vents and
windows, and oxygen from the yard could flow in. I sometimes accompanied the
land owner cleaning the yard, and planting some new plants.
In May 2017, I tried to look at the possibility to start a
plant business and landscape architecture services. I tried to make SWOT
analysis for a leasing land and a plot of selling land in the same neighborhood
where we lived, Kertapura Neighborhood, Kesiman Kertalangu Village. District of
East Denpasar, City of Denpasar, Bali.
There has been already an image of how much capital it takes
to start a business that is in my mind at that time. But, in fact, I do have a
lot of self-capital, just mention them: vision capital, which is quality life
for all, imagination capital, knowledge and skills capital, health and strength
capital, sufficient time capital (if I do not want to work again as a salaried
worker), as well as social network capital in social media, if later I run this
business off-line and/or on-line. Hey! I realized that I have all the capitals,
except the money capital! Hahaahaa ...
In August 2017, we moved again to another rental housing in
Sanur. We call it “kosan” that is paid as monthly charge. In first four month
we just rented a unit on upper floor. But then, when I started to make some
indoor plants, I faced the problem that my daughter AA doesn’t like my
activities. But she likes the location of our home, here in Sanur, near to the
beach. Then I found myself only have one good choice at the time, it is to rent
another unit on the ground level. Luckily, there is a vacant unit.
There are three persons who strongly support my intention to
do business. First, my mentor in learning about plants and landscapes, namely
SKK. Second, a passenger who missed her flight from Korea to Bali, and then sat
next to me on her next flight, she was CCS who became one of my best friend,
like my own sister. The third is my son who is always cheerful and creative.
The three of them are keeping my spirit go on trying, learning and practicing
the business, they inspired a lot. If SKK is encouraging me with the
competitive spirit, on the contrary, CCS is more likely to inspire me about the
growth of a collaborative soul. Of course both have the truth, depending on
which angle I see the problem, as the situation and conditions.
With no (financial) funds at all, but with my confidence of
my real capitals, I tried to find business partners to collaborate. There were
approximately two weeks I tried to work cooperatively as a business partner
with an owner of 20 acre nursery in Renon. But failed, I withdrew because he
did not want to work with a neat management. I also tried to sell houses and
lands of my friends in order to be able to profit as a dealer. But these
efforts did not work either. I then went to BPD Bali to see the possibility of getting
Bank credit support. Apparently, one of the conditions, the business has been
running for three months. Trying to get a minimal but sufficient loan to start
a SME (small micro enterprise), from family and close friends, but did not work
either. Finally I got myself to write and send an email with the subject:
Starting a Small Business, in order to borrow USD 1000 to CCS. Two days later, she
replied to my email, brief but firm: "Anita, Yes! Tell me how to get it to
you. "Wow! It really made me excited.
As I mentioned at the beginning about my daughter's
condition, this becomes the toughest challenge in me doing the business with
very minim financial capital. From the number of UDS 1000, I have to set aside
almost half of it to provide AA new cellphone with brand and type to be
according to her will. Otherwise, she will be a big barrier to productive
activities for my business. The throwing tantrum that are still attached to herself
is a fact that I have to accept with patience, but still trying to help her to
become more mature and responsible. On the same day AA came out of the
hospital, she was back fidgeted because she did not have a cellphone to use in enjoying
web comics, music, drawing, etc. Her cellphone that was already a bit damaged
already she slammed until almost totally destroyed at the day she had to returned
to hospitalized more than a month ago. Thank goodness there was another friend
YS who could help us by using her credit card to buy AA a new cellphone. She
could help us after I told her that a friend from US is about to transfer me
USD 1000. I can use some of it to pay back her credit card.
I told my sister in Jakarta about having bought a new
cellphone for AA, and how did it come. So I also explained the availability of
CCS to help me by lending some of funds. And, that I will begin to refund when
getting credit from Bank, amounting to USD 100 every month. My sister
immediately scolded me, she said I was very reckless. Borrowing money from
America and paying for installments. She explained me that I will pay a very
large Bank Charge. Hicks! I realized how stupid I was. My sister then asked me
to tell CCS to cancel if she hasn’t transferred the funds yet. She, my sister,
FAA will lend me the amount that CCS would loan me, but not all at once. Okay,
not bad…
All these challenges have made me being capable to think
creatively. I should be able to use my eyes and ears properly, to see and
listen natural resources for free. I am a good listener, I am a teachable
student in learning from SKK (WA text, email, socmed). He inspired me about the
air plants, about the use of moss to give more value to ornamental plants in
pots, and other things to optimize all of my good potential in planting and landscaping
business. And true, after I use my eyes well, I see many moss everywhere, I even
can produce my own mini lucky bamboo. Not coincidentally, my son since
childhood was also interested in moss. So, he helped me to make indoor plants
using moss.
To cut short the story, I have got my SME, namely Bali FLO, ready
to start. The early products of Bali FLO are moss and mini bamboo, they are the
main products. I photograph and share them in socmed, and some WA contacts, in
general they say, wow! Beautiful! However, there is one friend who lives in
Bekasi, who not only admire, but also directly order the products of Bali FLO
on Dec 30 2017. She is AS whose son study in Bali. I then accept her request, though
the business has not been officially opened.
Then, as the sequent, I made a list of prices for products
that were available and could be marketed as an end year and pre-soft opening promotion.
The price list was completed with photos and product descriptions. It
apparently could invite other customers. There was NWS who ordered two products
to be delivered to her office on January 3rd, 2018. Also, there was FM who has ordered
three products and would come in Bali FLO shop to take. As per her promise to
come late morning, she actually came at 10:45. FM carried an artistic container
of glass and wood, she asked me to make a beautiful design of indoor plant. FM
bought 5 products with total IDR 270k after discount 30%. I wrap them with old
newspaper and she put them carefully into her cloth bags, she is including
those who do not like to use plastic bags. Good! FM is my first customer who
visited my Bali FLO Shop, today, on the last day of 2017.
Legacy Program of
2018
Producing more indoor plants with the characteristics of
"friendly with the nature around us". Creating product and customer
databases, also creating environmentally friendly packaging and delivery
systems.
When I can rent a minimum of 2 acres, Bali FLO Store will be
developed into Plants Nursery. I will make a model of moss garden. And, in the center
the land, there will be a kind of simple café for visitors to enjoy fresh air,
and fresh natural beverage products from Bali FLO nursery. So, there will be
Bali FLO Nursery Café too. With the garden model in this nursery, I can make
the project opportunities of landscape design and construction. I will be
confident to do the outdoor landscape projects with small and medium scale, but
with very good quality.
I hope both my kids, AI and HA could synergize with me in
this effort with their own uniqueness and creativity potentials. At least they
wouldn’t contradictive with my activities, for this business is also for their
living.
December 31, 2017
Anetha Athena, the owner of Bali FLO – a Small Micro
Enterprise in Denpasar City
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