EARTH HEIR: CHANGING MINDSETS NATIONWIDE

BusinessToday speaks to Earth Heir on changing mindsets as a social enterprise and creating social impact along the way.

- POOVENRAJ KANAGARAJ

Founded in 2013, Earth Heir began with an aim to appreciate craftsmanship and artisans across the country. The social enterprise has since then impacted more than 100 artisans’ lives, offering them the opportunity to present their craft to the world and at the same time, raising awareness and changing mindsets.

“When I first started, the only other social enterprises at the time were Batik Boutique and Biji-Biji Initiative. Back then people didn’t know who or what we were. They treated us with suspicion,” says Sasibai Kimis, founder of social enterprise, Earth Heir.

“People often asked how do we make money by helping people. People thought social enterprises were exploiting those they were working with. It’s actually the complete opposite,” Kimis tells BusinessToday.

That was not the only challenge Kimis faced. When Earth Heir started working with artisans to produce products, then came potential customers who questioned the pricing, claiming it was ‘too expensive’ for products made in kampungs.

“We had to explain the breakdown of the cost and how it relates to fair wage. An artisan takes 2 weeks to weave a bag out of mengkuang leaves, which by the way takes months to grow. We won’t even think of negotiating when we enter Isetan for instance so why do we do the same with artisan made products,” says Kimis.

While she believes there are still mindsets to change, Malaysians are definitely more aware about the issues she has since brought to attention through Earth Heir. “Our clientele has also become more appreciative.”