Who says traditional snacks are no longer loved? The proof: Betawi-style treats made by a home-based entrepreneur named Kartini are selling like hotcakes in the market—even reaching international customers.
Even more so after Kartini and her business, Warung Al-Matiinu, participated in an export workshop organized by Labamu. Unexpectedly, her business grew rapidly and successfully entered the Singaporean market.
Here’s the success story of Kartini, who managed to bring traditional snacks back into the spotlight.
Successfully Transforming Betawi Snacks into a More Modern Appeal
Kartini has been running her business, Warung Al-Matiinu, since 2016. Starting from her passion for cooking, she decided to sell a wide range of traditional snacks, with a special focus on Betawi specialties.
“I chose to focus on classic Betawi snacks that are nearly forgotten, adding modern flavor twists so they would be more appealing to the millennial generation,” she explained.
Among the many snacks she offers, some of Warung Al-Matiinu’s signature products include peanut brittle (tingting kacang), ginger sesame brittle (tingting jahe wijen), and kembang goyang.
Currently, all Warung Al-Matiinu products are available in national retail chains, such as Indomaret, as well as in wholesale stores.
Successfully Entering the International Market
When she first started her business selling Betawi-style snacks, Kartini never imagined that her products would reach the international market. However, after participating in an export workshop organized by Labamu, it became a turning point for her business.
She shared, “Before joining the workshop, my products were only known locally. After the workshop, thank God, our products have become known even in Singapore.”
One of the products that is especially popular in the Lion City is ginger sesame brittle (tingting jahe wijen) because, according to Kartini, it helps warm the body and offers many health benefits.
The collaboration with Labamu has opened wide the door to sustainable export opportunities for Warung Al-Matiinu, as evidenced by repeat orders from customers in Singapore.
Kartini hopes that after Singapore, other countries will also embrace her products, as well as other local Indonesian offerings.
SME Product Curation Program
In August 2024, Labamu participated in a Product Curation event alongside more than 50 small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners in South Tangerang, organized by the South Tangerang City Office of Industry and Trade.
The goal of the SME product curation training in South Tangerang City is to ensure that each product meets quality standards and is suitable for consumers. This way, local entrepreneurs in South Tangerang are expected to be able to compete in broader markets.
The event was attended by Rey Sihotang, Director of PT. Labamu Sejahtera Indonesia, as well as the Deputy Mayor of South Tangerang, H. Pilar Saga Ichsan, S.T., M.Ars; the Head of the South Tangerang City Office of Industry and Trade, H. Abdul Aziz AM, ST., MT.; and Sumarno, HRD of Aneka Buana Supermarket.
Read also: Product Curation Activities for IKM / SMEs in South Tangerang City with Labamu
Expressing Gratitude to Labamu
Kartini has experienced significant benefits from using the Labamu application to run her business.
“Not only for promotions, but also in managing my business through features like financial reporting and the point-of-sale system. These features help me monitor the progress of my business more effectively,” she explained.
Kartini was one of 10 selected small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) products to receive specialized mentorship at the Export Workshop organized by Labamu, as a continuation of the previous SME curation event held in collaboration with the South Tangerang City Office of Industry and Trade. This workshop is part of Labamu’s commitment to continuously explore and nurture the potential of local products for sustained growth.
During the workshop, Mrs. Silvia Winsen, Vice President of Business Development at PT Labamu Sejahtera Indonesia, shared valuable insights on tips and strategies to help Indonesian SME products pass curation and become eligible for international export.
For products that meet the standards, Labamu’s team will directly ship and market them to various international partners, starting with Singapore—just as Kartini and her Warung Al-Matiinu have experienced.
As someone who has greatly benefited from this training, Kartini shared, “Let’s grow together with Labamu, for the success of SMEs in Indonesia.”
Labamu is Ready to Fully Support SMEs
Labamu is committed to organizing programs like this to be part of the solution for sustainable local economic development, including promoting Indonesian products in international markets.
In the near future, Labamu plans to launch a follow-up program aimed at making a tangible contribution to strengthening the competitiveness of local products in the international market.
Get the latest updates and information about upcoming events by downloading the app on Google Play or the App Store. Together with Labamu, let’s take local businesses to the global stage!
