Embracing Limitations and Exploring Opportunities to Reach Success
What is your opinion about limitations? The word limitation means the act of limiting or restricting one’s self in a broad array of circumstances. For example, limitation to do something because of regulation, situation, or simply not being able to do it due to a lack of skill or knowledge. However, what does the concept of limitations mean to people with disabilities?
“Never say never, because limits, like fear, are often just an illusion.” Michael Jordan
When we talk about limitations, we completely resonate with the quote above. Two of Tokopedia’s outstanding sellers who, like Michael Jordan, treat limits like an illusion and continue to pursue their ambition, perseverance, and drive to reach success.
Meet Suhartini, the owner of Toko Lariz
Toko Lariz is a mom-and-pop shop selling daily essentials like cooking ingredients, snacks, beverages, as well as digital products such as phone credit, electricity tokens, transfer services, and more. She started her business in 2016, where the only products she sold were toast and chicken nuggets.
Realizing that the two products are not enough and demand for daily necessities and digital products grew in her village, Suhartini quickly explored Mitra Tokopedia. To her surprise, onboarding Mitra Tokopedia to her business has resulted in two times more income than her usual earnings, which is around Rp 30 million each month.
However, what we may not expect is that Suhartini is a person with a disability. Regardless of her condition, Suhartini is determined to provide for her family and save as much as possible for her two children, aged 11 and 8 years old. Suhartini also realized that her shop plays an important role in her community, especially during the pandemic, where access to markets or shops is limited.
Suhartini’s simple yet inspiring tale is certainly a remarkable example for us. In her own words, Suhartini would like to share a few words of encouragement for those who are on the same journey as she is now:
“Don’t give up easily because of our condition and this pandemic. Although what we have now is limited, we have to maintain our spirit to have a successful business.”
The Story of Tommy, Founder of The Able Art
During our downtime, has the question “What can I do to help?” ever popped into your mind? If the answer is yes, you may soon have a similar storyline to Tommy.
One day, Tommy wondered what he could do to support people with disabilities in his community. Initially, Tommy always involved himself in social volunteering activities or programs as well as participating in donations. After watching a TV show that features Sadikin Pard, a member of the feet and mouth painter association, Tommy began to brainstorm on how he can help these artists to sell their masterpieces and gain income.
Tommy and Sadikin soon connected and established The Able Art on 3 December 2017, coinciding with the International Day of Disabled Persons. The Able Art is intended to help disabled artists or painters by putting their masterpieces as designs of various products such as bags, hijabs, wallets, pillow covers, pouches, and more. Tommy shared that he was rejected many times by disabled artists, as they were unwilling to allow their paintings to be reproduced into products. However, this does not stop him from helping and empowering as many disabled painters as possible.
“People with disabilities shouldn’t be pitied, but empowered! For instance, give them fishing equipment instead of the fish. Our friends are not equipped with the knowledge on how to sell their creations, hence we need to help them and give value to their work.”
So far, Tommy has helped empower more than 10 disabled artists spread across Jakarta, Depok, Bali, Malang, and Semarang. Ever since The Able Art joined Tokopedia, their sales revenue can reach Rp 30 to 50 million per month. Furthermore, their products are even bought by buyers as far as Papua and Medan, North Sumatera. The gain from sales will be distributed among the artists and the business as well as allocating 5% to purchase painting equipment for first-timer disabled painters to learn.
“Many people said that don’t try to have this kind of business if you don’t have anything prepared. However, my conscience always tells me to try so that I can be useful for people in need just like Tokopedia’s slogan, #MulaiAjaDulu. Don’t give up on your dreams, keep on fighting, and empathize.”
What we can learn from their stories
Through the story of Suhartini and Tommy, we can learn and understand that limitations are truly just an illusion. Suhartini, the owner of Toko Lariz, taught us that with the right motivation, which in this case is family, everything is possible. From Tommy, the owner of The Able Art, we can learn that sometimes the solution comes from within ourselves, and helping others knows no limits or boundaries.
Limitations exist if we allow them to exist. Until this day, their spirit and drive continue to inspire Tokopedia to #AlwaysAvailableAlwaysPossible for our sellers. Tokopedia hopes to witness many more success stories of our merchants and resume our tireless effort to provide a Super Ecosystem for them to become local champions!
