…that was back in 1973. She got started after attending a seminar about traditional healthcare and the use of “jamu.”

Of course she was, and obviously still is, passionate about these 2 things.

She started the business in her garage, producing and distributing products with a capital of USD25 and 2 workers.

Many of her family members were not supportive, but her husband (a civil servant) was.

A few years later, she already had 50 workers and needed to move out of the garage.

But she couldn’t get a bank loan. So she soldiered on, saving up money. With the money saved after many years, she set up her own manufacturing plant.

She said:
- you need to knowledgeable and keep up with demands of modern consumers in a rapidly changing local as well as global market.
- all problems can be overcome through hard work, perseverance and continuous improvement.

Mustika Ratu is now a public listed company with 3,000 employees. It gets its raw materials from its own plantation.

Later she expanded to other areas of traditional healthcare, including beauty & spa business, franchising her spa, both locally & overseas.

She obtained her PhD in Economics at the age of 79. Truly, age is never a barrier.

Dr Bra Mooryati was born in January 1928. She is also a senator.

Source
Daily Express, 14th November 2007, Page 5 (local section)