PANGKALPINANG -- The savory aroma of shrimp pempek blended with the fragrance of traditional cakes filled the MSME bazaar area held at Graha Timah Pangkalpinang on Monday (December 22, 2025).
On Mother’s Day, the space became more than just a marketplace it turned into a stage for the stories of resilient women who carry dual roles as mothers, wives, and entrepreneurs through the Women in Tins Series event themed “Resilient, Adaptive, and Empowered Women in the Era of Transformation.”
The bazaar was organized by PT TIMAH Tbk as a form of appreciation for the role of mothers, as well as a concrete effort to empower women-owned MSMEs that are fostered partners of PT TIMAH Tbk, enabling them to become more independent and economically empowered. Behind every product on display lies a story of struggle, patience, and hope.
PT TIMAH Tbk featured ten fostered partners showcasing a variety of food and beverage products, presenting an array of attractive offerings.
One of them was Kardina (41), a woman from Kerabut who runs Pempek Udang Mama Sabil. For six years, Kardina has been producing shrimp pempek, shrimp kemplang, and fish kemplang from her home kitchen.
“In the past, people had to go to Mentok to buy shrimp pempek. I wanted to bring this Mentok style shrimp pempek to Pangkalpinang,” she said.
Kardina has two young children the older one is five years old, and the youngest is just two and a half. She still handles the entire production process on her own, from purchasing raw materials to delivering orders. Challenges often arise, such as fussy children during production, urgent orders that must be delivered, and rain that forces her to make deliveries while carrying her child.
“In business, there are always obstacles. Sometimes when I’m producing, my child cries. I’ve even delivered orders in the rain while bringing my child along,” she said softly.
This year marked an important milestone for Kardina, as she officially became a fostered partner of PT TIMAH Tbk. Through the Mother’s Day bazaar, her products are beginning to gain wider recognition.
“Not many people knew about my products before. Activities like this really help with promotion. I hope my products will become more widely known now that I’m a fostered partner of PT TIMAH Tbk,” she said hopefully.
Not far from Kardina’s booth, Wiwik Nur Fatimah (44), a resident of Jerambah Gantung, sold various traditional cakes under the brand Hamidah. The products include semer mendem, fruit choux pastries, moss pudding, and cheese sticks—all made by hand with a distinct homemade taste.
Wiwik has been a fostered partner of PT TIMAH Tbk since 2019. For her, being an MSME entrepreneur is an emotional journey filled with meaning.
“It’s a mix of feelings. On one side I’m a mother and a wife, and on the other, a business owner. But from that, I’ve learned many valuable lessons,” she shared.
She even involves her child, who is majoring in management, in learning how to run the business. Although initially shy, the child has now grown more confident.
“I always tell my child not to be embarrassed about selling. This is where we learn to become business owners. If a business is pursued seriously, it will surely be promising—it all depends on how we manage it,” she said.
Like Kardina, Wiwik also faces challenges in balancing family responsibilities and customer orders. At times, she has to decline large orders to maintain product quality and ensure her family’s well-being.
“Rather than disappointing customers, it’s better to be honest. Sometimes when a child is sick, we just can’t accept orders,” she explained.
Fortunately, family support has become her main source of strength. Her husband helps deliver orders, while her extended family serves as a strong support system, especially during busy periods such as Eid.
She has also felt the benefits of PT TIMAH Tbk’s mentoring through training and marketing assistance.
“On August 17, sales were booming. PT TIMAH often helps with promotion and training, and that means a lot. The income from being an MSME entrepreneur is quite helpful in supporting our family’s economy,” she said.
Through the Women in Tins Series, PT TIMAH Tbk provides a space for women to grow together, support one another, and enhance their capacities. The Mother’s Day momentum serves as a reminder that behind a mother’s gentleness lies extraordinary resilience one that drives the economic wheels of families and communities alike. (*)
