The power of marketing
Another workshop participant was Moza Pramono, an entrepreneur who traveled from Jakarta, Indonesia. She is the owner of three companies and was representing Southeast Asia’s oldest organization for female entrepreneurs, the Indonesian Business Women’s Association (IWAPI).
Bursting with energy, Moza took the opportunity before the lectures to introduce herself to other participants and hand out business cards.
A mother of two, Moza explores ways for her family to travel on a limited budget, and she set up a family travel site (liburkeluarga.com) to share her experiences and to give friends a platform to share theirs. Aside from attending the workshop, she took the opportunity to recommend products from Taiwan on her website and uploaded videos of notable places.
Moza was surprised by the cleanliness of Taipei City, and while visiting the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, she couldn’t resist asking about it. “Can you tell me why there’s no garbage strewn around?” she inquired. She later made a video clip introducing viewers to the clean streets of Taipei.
A design enthusiast, Moza also founded a line of false eyelashes called “Lashes by Moza.” They differ from the common factory-made varieties because they are made by hand with real hair by Indonesian housewives. She displays the Moza brand logo not just on her products but also on accessories like handbags and phone cases. She also likes to wear Moza-emblazoned clothes, and promotes her brand wherever she goes.
Because of the obstacles faced by women entrepreneurs, IWAPI has become a major platform for them to share experiences.
Moza also serves as the director of marketing for IWAPI and works with international companies on a plan to expand women’s entrepreneurship. Their goal this year is to assist 800 women in eight cities in Indonesia.
In Asia the issues of employment for women and women’s entrepreneurship have been met with indifference in the past. But increasing awareness of women’s rights and demands for equality have helped narrow the gender gap. Taiwan’s own progress on this front is a beacon for women in the region.
Following the Workshop on Women’s Enterprises Start-up, the ICDF is planning further workshops this year, including one on finding new value-added for agricultural products, and one on facilitating trade. They estimate that they will be able to assist about 80 participants annually from ASEAN and South Asian countries and so deepen the ties between Taiwan and countries targeted by the New Southbound Policy.
International participants happily pose for a group photo. The workshop’s international nature fosters cross-cultural exchanges.