Jakarta, IO – Her name is Kalya Mahiya. She is only 13 years old but her achievements are truly amazing. The whiz kid is the winner of Mathematics and English Olympiad. She masters three foreign languages and dozens of Indonesian traditional dances.
She even possesses an entrepreneurial spirit at such a tender age. She founded a banana chips business called KRIPI. The brand is the acronym of Klangenan (favorite), Roso (taste), Impen (dream), Praveena and Indonesia.
“My hope is that KRIPI can realize people’s dreams and favorite taste for Indonesian food,” she explained.
KRIPI originated from Kalya’s desire to help housewives. “Because of the pandemic, I want to help women whose husbands died from Covid-19 and suddenly had to become the family’s breadwinner,” she said.
KRIPI has three variants – chocolate, original sweet and balado. “The best-selling variant among lovers of banana chips is the sweet original one. The taste of the bananas is still authentic, especially when we use good quality jackfruit bananas,” she said.
KRIPI is not the only business Kalya has built. Most recently, her concern for the environment and the creative economy has encouraged her to set up Praveena. This venture coincided with her 13th birthday on October 1.
“It started from my passion to grow the creative economy where there is potential for ecoprints that can be developed, as well a means of learning for me. I want to tell the story of leaves that are around us to give meaningful meaning to artistic creativity and love for the earth. Moreover, this product is handmade and environmentally friendly,” she enthused.
Kalya hopes that through her businesses she can improve the local community’s economy, especially people who really need extra income.
“I hope I can help creative mothers to be productive and be able to improve the family’s economy,” she said.
Praveena Ecoprint has three main products in offer, namely blankets, fabrics and silk scarves. Even though ecoprint technique has been around and on trend nowadays, it must be admitted that Praveena’s version has a unique character that is distinct from other products in the market.
“Ecoprint is an Indonesian identity with a variety of distinctive tropical plant patterns. This product is made in an environmentally friendly manner, because it uses organic materials through natural dyes in the form of cellulose fabrics (cotton and linen). It also has unique and exclusive leaf motifs,” explained Kalya.
“No two are the same. This makes them attractive to lovers of creativity, art and the environment.” Even though the business is still new, Praveena Ecoprint has been marketed via Instagram @PraveenaIndonesia.
“Recently, Praveena Ecoprint and KRIPI Praveena Indonesia participated in Festival Tumbuh Bersama (grow together) exhibition at Senayan Park together with the UMKM Yuk Group community chaired by Prilly Latuconsina. The opening ceremony was attended by the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mr. Sandiaga Uno,” she said.
Kalya admits that she relies on social media and exhibitions to market her ecoprint product. She hopes Praveena Ecoprint can grow rapidly and penetrate foreign markets. “This is an eco-friendly business, but still with a unique and creative character that exude the love for the planet,” she concluded.
