From Housewife to Entrepreneur

Starting a business is never easy. This one began when Mrs. Endang only accepted sewing orders from relatives, usually around Eid al-Fitr. Who would have thought that her skillful hands could produce neat and elegant stitches? At first, her relatives ordered from her occasionally, but soon they began recommending her services to their friends. One or two orders quickly turned into more, as her family spread the word. “Then, my aunt had a friend, and eventually she brought her to me,” she recalled earnestly.

From that simple moment, Mrs. Endang realized that her talent was more than just a hobby; it was an opportunity worth pursuing. The year 2000 marked the beginning of her journey to take the business more seriously, even though her marketing method was still simple: word of mouth.

As time went on, like the wheel of life, her business did not always remain at the top. There were times of excitement and growth, but also moments when everything felt heavy. The Covid-19 pandemic became one of the hardest trials, when orders disappeared and hope nearly faded. Rising again was no easy task, yet Mrs. Endang’s spirit never wavered. In the midst of hardship, an opportunity appeared. DIVA UMKM came to support small business owners, including Mrs. Endang, who joined its training program. She admitted that before, she didn’t understand how to set up and manage WhatsApp Business or Google Business. But after joining the training, she realized how important digital presence was. She began applying what she learned, and slowly, customers returned—not only from her neighborhood but also from different regions.

Failure is part of the process, and often becomes the turning point for a stronger comeback. By joining DIVA UMKM training, Mrs. Endang gained many valuable insights and practical skills that had a real impact on her business. The modules on branding and digital marketing were especially transformative. She even recalled with amusement how she struggled the first time she tried to access Google Business and had to relearn everything because she forgot the steps. To fellow entrepreneurs, she leaves a message: “Don’t give up and be brave. If we have a business, we must have the courage to show it to others.”

The story of Endang Dwi Sudarmi is a portrait of an entrepreneurial spirit that never fades despite challenges. With a willingness to learn and a never-give-up attitude, Beltsa Modeste has not only survived but also grown in the digital era.