Self-Confidence and Consistency: The Key to Becoming an Entrepreneur

Amid the rapid growth of Indonesia’s creative industry, a young figure has captured attention through a combination of leadership, creativity and social concern. She is Cahaya Manthovani.

At a relatively young age, Cahaya is trusted to lead various national events through PT Navaswara Bhuwana Kencana. Yet what makes her career different is not merely the grandeur of the events, but how every event is designed to bear social, cultural and empowerment messages. ‘Everything starts by following the course of life. As a graduate of architectural design in South Korea, a country that strongly promotes creativity, I learned a lot from them. The world of the creative industry is the starting point of my career,’ she said on Friday (22 May 2026).

Several national agendas successfully led by Cahaya include Festival Storytelling Cerita Rakyat Suara Nusantara 2025, Inklusiland 2025, Abpednas Jaga Desa Awards 2026, and Festival Storytelling Cerita Rakyat Suara Nusantara Banten 2026.

Under Cahaya’s leadership, events are not merely entertainment stages or ceremonies. She makes them a medium for building public dialogue about culture, inclusivity and empowerment. This approach has helped Navaswara grow into a creative movement that offers both experience and meaning.

‘When you want to organise an event, you must know exactly what the main goal is. What is the impact? For example, Suara Nusantara. I initiated this event because I saw that everyone was mostly busy playing with their gadgets. When asked to present or socialise, more people withdraw or become nervous,’ she continued.

‘Thu, how can we raise awareness in a fun way? One example is Suara Nusantara. Participants must read and understand Indonesian folktales. The effect of this event is not only to preserve folktales but also to boost the participants’ self-confidence and experience,’ Cahaya said.

Apart from being active in the creative industry, Cahaya is known for a strong focus on inclusivity. As the Acting Chair of Yayasan Inklusi Pelita Bangsa, she actively initiates various social programmes for children with disabilities.

One of them is the initiative Free Nutritious Food — Private Sector for special schools/disabilities in Banten Province. The programme involves 12 SMEs (UMKM) and reaches more than 2,200 beneficiaries. Cahaya is also a figure behind Inklusiland for International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event provides an inclusive space that brings together the community, families, creative practitioners, and the general public.

For Cahaya, success of events cannot be built alone. She believes collaboration is the main foundation for creating broader impact.

Behind her success, she admits the journey has not always been easy. She faced a challenge because her appearance was considered too young. ‘The biggest challenge is people’s first impression of me. As a woman with a face that looks younger than my actual age, everyone assumes I’m a middle school, high school or university student; no one ever thinks I am 26,’ Cahaya said.

However, she chooses to view it as motivation to prove the quality of her work and her commitment. Cahaya’s consistency in the creative industry and social activities has earned her prestigious awards such as Puspa Nawasena in Anugerah Puspa Bangsa 2025 and The Inspiring Woman from Robb Report Indonesia.

Amid her busy schedule leading creative projects, Cahaya also continues to encourage young people to grow and build self-capacity.

‘You must study often, practise skills in anything you are interested in, read books or news and understand them. Becoming an entrepreneur is not something that can be built instantly. It takes time and long perseverance. The key is confidence and consistency in personal development,’ she concluded. (H-2)

Spspaces for people with disabilities to work and create must continue to be expanded. In this way, the aim of realising an inclusive Indonesia can be achieved.

Through this event, IDDS shows that art can be a vehicle for individuals with special needs towards empowerment, therapy and independence.

The collection shown includes 50 outfits that depict the elegance of Indonesian women during Eid moments with family this year.

Challenges lie in how the government can mobilise potential and wider participation from all elements and stakeholders to reap that promise.

The theme raised in HDI 2024 is Together Realising Inclusivity Towards an Advanced and Creative Generation.

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