Discovering Opportunities to Grow Her Business, Mardiana Chooses to Advance with PNM Mekaar

In a corner of Cimanggis, Depok, Mardiana’s story reveals how knowledge can change the course of one’s life—a tale of a woman who not only works hard but also continuously learns to find new ways to grow. Starting from her home kitchen, Mardiana runs a red rice business like many other ultra-micro entrepreneurs. However, the turning point came not just from additional capital, but from the learning spaces she encountered with PNM Mekaar. For Mardiana, every training session is more than a formality. From digital marketing and sales training to social media management, it was like discovering new light to open up previously unimaginable opportunities. Ideas began to emerge one after another, from ways to market products and expand networks to processing red rice into higher-value ready-to-eat products. “From the training, I learned that selling isn’t just about the goods, but how we offer and package them,” she said. This knowledge made her steps different. She no longer just waits for buyers but actively seeks out the market. She participates in various bazaars in the surrounding area, sub-district and village activities, and even extends to campuses in Depok and Jakarta. She turns every opportunity into a testing ground to hone the strategies she has learned, while also reading market needs. From there, simple yet impactful innovations were born. Her “Cak Har” Sosoh Red Rice is now processed into red rice liwet complete with side dishes. This product not only meets practical needs but also creates a new experience for consumers. Now, Mardiana is trusted as the canteen manager at the Cimanggis Sub-District Office. This role is not just about her, but also about how she helps market the products of other business fighters. She grows while inviting others to rise together. Her liwet rice has become a favourite among workers in the sub-district environment. It even regularly appears in various monthly activities. From a simple kitchen, she now serves daily and monthly customers, with a delivery system that makes relationships with customers feel closer and more personal. All of this is inseparable from the combination of knowledge and funding. From an initial loan of Rp2 million, it has now grown to Rp7 million. But for Mardiana, the greatest value is not in the numbers, but in the trust and insights she has gained to continue developing. PNM Company Secretary L. Dodot Patria Ary emphasised that training is an important part in encouraging customer independence. “PNM Mekaar customers have extraordinary potential; their business capacity needs to be enhanced through training and mentoring. From there, customers can find new ideas, increase product added value, and expand markets. This is what we promote so that they truly level up,” he said. He added that when women are given access to knowledge, the impact does not stop at the individual but extends to the family and surrounding community. In every step, Mardiana seems to revive the spirit of Kartini. Not just about emancipation, but about the courage to learn and adapt. She proves that independence does not always start from something big, but from the willingness to keep developing. In Cimanggis, from simple training to a steaming kitchen, a woman is born who not only sells but also thinks, innovates, and inspires. A modern-day Kartini who found her path through the courage to try.