Birthday Wishes
Bringing together Indonesia Tatler’s anniversary issue with a bang are three social and entrepreneurial sweethearts who grace our pages decked out in Hermès. Maina A. Harjani shares their stories
Three of society’s best share their success stories for our anniversary issue
Marlienna Suwito, the mastermind behind the locally produced 7 Stars Premium Bird’s Nest and Heavenly Nest, a healthy drink made from bird’s nest concentrate, is looking at improving the lives of others around her from a new perspective.
Other than developing her flourishing business, whose products are now being exported to the US, Hong Kong, and Mainland China, Marlienna also has hopes of being an agent of change for inmates at the Women and Youth Detention Center in Tangerang in Jakarta, as well as other underprivileged women in the community.
“I would like to be able to provide these people with a workplace as well as encourage them to be motivators and build lives better than those they had before,” she explains.
Marlienna also hopes to finally make her lifelong dream of building an aged-care facility for underprivileged people in the country come true. True success, for her, lies in the happiness she sees in those around her with what she has created. “It gives me so much pleasure to know that I have made a difference in someone else’s life,” she tells us.
As part of our anniversary special, Indonesia Tatler also spoke to actor and producer Yoshi Sudarso, who believes that success is all about taking life one step at a time and making positive strides towards intended goals.
Based in Los Angeles, Yoshi was in Jakarta for a few months recently promoting his latest production, Buffalo Boys. He has also just finished filming Milly & Mamet and is now helping produce and star in three short films in the US.
With no long-term thoughts in the picture, Yoshi is very sure of the three things he is most proud of and wishes to share: “Be consistent, be persistent, and be realistic,” says the man who describes Hermès as “classic with a modern twist”.
Meanwhile, “Hermès is always a classic favourite!” exclaims Vanessa Kalani Ong, CEO and Co- Owner of Jamu Jamu Co. as well as the newly developed Nona Kalani Turmeric Latte and Mixes series, which are perfect for those always on the go.
In between curating a variety of flavours and designs as part of her work, Vanessa ensures that she squeezes in some me-time, including meditation, a jog, or some weights, as well as a shot of her favourite kunyit asam before her day piles up with meetings, emails, and paperwork. “I usually spend time with my loved ones after work and sit up late through the night, because that’s when my brainstorming and creative ideas pop up,” she tells us.
In five years’ time, Vanessa hopes to still be travelling and unearthing cultures she has yet to come across, and, of course, expanding, innovating, and improving her products as well as her jamu line. She hopes to spread the message of the benefits of Indonesia’s local herbal drink.
Similar to Marlienna, Vanessa shares with Indonesia Tatler the true meaning of success as she defines it: “When you have made it on your own by listening to yourself and seeing a great and positive outcome—that, in itself, is success to me, especially when the outcome has a wonderful impact on others.”