Meet Ivana Darmawan

We were lucky to catch up with Ivana Darmawan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ivana, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Reflecting on this question, I realize that my purpose in life has been profoundly shaped by my experiences I’ve had growing up. I grew up in Indonesia and now lives in Los Angeles. My purpose is to empower women, particularly Indonesian women, in improving their livelihoods. My inspiration comes from my mother, a successful businesswoman in Indonesia who faced significant challenges early in her career simply because of her gender. Throughout my life, she shared stories of the obstacles she had to overcome to establish her business in Indonesia during the 1990s. She had shared about people or relatives questioning her ability to start her own business because she is a woman, but she persevered. Her determination and hard work provided me with many opportunities, and I now feel a deep responsibility to create similar opportunities for other women. This sense of purpose led me to start Kasih Co-op, a venture that partners with Indonesian artisans to create authentic and unique home and lifestyle pieces. Through Kasih Co-op, I aim to empower women, providing them with the opportunity to bring their handcrafted designs to global markets.

If you are still looking for your purpose in life, my suggestion is to keep on saying yes to new experiences. Pay attention to which of those experiences resonate with you or which ones you find yourself always returning to. Then, identify the common thread that pulls you toward those experiences. Hopefully, this will help you discover your purpose.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m the owner of Kasih Co-op, a venture where we partner with Indonesian artisans to create authentic and unique pieces for home and lifestyle. We handcraft batik bandanas, kimonos, quilted up-cycled robes, hand-turned wooden bowls and more.

One of our specialties is in batik wax and resist fabric, a centuries-old craft that involves intricate processes. We start with white 100% cotton fabric, applying hot wax using a copper plate stamp, and then hand-drawing with a canting tool. Our artisans meticulously dry the fabric, dye it, and repeat the process multiple times for multi-colored batik. After sun-baking the fabric, we boil it to remove the wax, and then shape it into final products like bandanas, scarves, and robes.

What excites me most about Kasih Co-op is the opportunity to bring this traditional art form to global markets while empowering the artisans behind it. Each piece tells a story of heritage and craftsmanship, and I’m proud to share that with the world. We’re constantly exploring new designs and expanding our offerings to showcase the rich culture of Indonesia through our products. Keep an eye out for upcoming new hand-dyed batik bandanas and scarves that we have just released.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, a commitment to experimentation, and the importance of balance.

Firstly, resilience has been crucial. Many advised me to abandon the traditional batik wax and resist technique due to its complexity and the time it takes to produce. Yet, I remained steadfast, refusing to compromise on my vision of bringing handcrafted Indonesian products to the global market. This stubbornness, or rather, persistence, has allowed me to stay true to my values with Kasih Co-op and continue to innovate in a way that honors tradition.

Secondly, the habit of continuous experimentation has been vital. I’ve learned that it’s essential to keep testing new ideas. If one product doesn’t resonate, it’s an opportunity to refine and explore other designs. Bringing these creations to market and listening to customer feedback has been key. Your customers will guide you on what works and what doesn’t, but you must be willing to put your ideas out there and learn from each experience.

Lastly, maintaining a balanced lifestyle has been foundational. I’ve come to understand what is truly valuable in my life—my passion, my well-being, and my family. Striking a balance between these areas has provided me with the clarity and energy to pursue my goals effectively. It’s important to cultivate this balance to help me move forward in all areas.

How would you describe your ideal client?

Kasih Co-op’s ideal client is someone who appreciates the beauty and uniqueness of handmade items and the rich stories they carry. They embrace the imperfections that come with handcrafted pieces, seeing them as marks of authenticity rather than flaws. This client values our commitment as a woman-owned business that prioritizes collaboration with women artisans—56% of whom are women-owned businesses—dedicated to preserving centuries-old crafts. Our ideal client is a worldly individual who seeks to incorporate handcrafted items into their everyday life, cherishing the cultural heritage they represent.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kasihcoop.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasihcoop/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KasihCoop/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kasih-co-op/
• Twitter: https://x.com/kasihcoop
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kasihcoop