Lia Golledge's Blog, page 14

Why You Should be Proud to be an Indonesian

Put Indonesian in a room full of global citizen and we will shy away, getting more quiet, can't speak our opinion, and all other things that indicated that either we can't speak English properly (which usually not true, we speak on a very well articulated and good grammar English) or we have low self confidence (for many different reasons, mostly because we're feeling inferior compared to other countries).

My entrepreneur friend who just back from Arizona on Goldman Sachs 10000 women initiative said, the girls from other countries had dominating conversations in their business class at ThunderBird School. They make comment on things the teachers said, stated their opinion. And Indonesian girls? They stay quiet. Is it the 'I'm not good enough' (as Indonesian) feeling?

Well, now you should held your head up high because here's why you should be proud to be an Indonesian:

Indonesia's GDP now stands more than US$ 1 trillion Pak @GitaWirjawan said on @TEDxJakarta, make Indonesia to enter the Trillion Dollar club, an unofficial classification of the world's major economies with a gross domestic product (nominal GDP) of more than USD 1 trillion per year. This make Indonesia be in the same club with giants like China, India and South Korea!

Where's our SEA neighbors in the GDP rank? Our economy size is 3x bigger than Thailand and 4x bigger than Malaysia & Singapore. All these times we thought it's Singapore, but turned out, they're #4 in SEA but they can promote themselves better. And I think Singaporean is among the most confident people, it's because they're proud of their country.

Our demographic is excellent. We're blessed with youth. At least half of Indonesian's 240 million population is young people under 30 years old. Without youth, there's no productivity, no creativity, no economic sizing. If we see more and more developed countries struggle to keep their population in balance, we have no problem at all :))

My friend Gabriel from Japan, who has visited 46 countries for business, said that Indonesian has the best warm personalities. The character is there. We're not only fresh and young, also basically positive & lovable people, which is one of the most important qualities. As Gab said: "Places are all the same, you can always find beautiful scenery everywhere. Its the people that differ the countries. I like people in this country and I want to help to do more."

Such powerful statement from a future investor. If only anyone do something about regulation to make it easier to build a company here *cough* because Gab is registering his company's branch in Singapore.

Ok forget infrastructure for a while :))

So, if we have pride, choose hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict, create qualities of decisiveness, high commitment to pursuit excellent, promote our country better, perfecting ideas, avoid mediocrity, then with the size of our Facebook users (43 million users) and Twitter users (6 million users), we surely can start to hold the future.

This post is inspired by Pak Gita Wirjawan speech at TEDxJakarta: Deceptive Truths. Thanks to my best girl @asil & TEDxJakarta team for the invitation to the inspiring event.
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How to Write a Novella in 13 Days with UltraBook

This month I had a situation that make me have to write a novella (shorter version of novel) in 13 days (don't ask why, it's a long story hehe). It's in the same time where I have to start 2 new biz ventures, one is Salsabeela fashion line (and Salsabeela boutique launch!) and other is a new business line of NulisBuku.com. I almost think that it's impossible to finish within 13 days (due to my busy-ness), but then I know: everything is possible. So I started that Mission I'm Possible.

Here's what I did to finished the book:

I create outline. It's always the first step. I need to get a novella finished in 13 days. I need to get there precisely, there's no room for mistake or confusion. So in order to stay on track to my destination, I need a map. In writing, the map is the outline. It's where you know how the story started, the conflicts and the resolution. You have to know how your story ends. And this outline has to be solid first, so you can't change the fundamental afterwards. So, I spend time on the phone with my editor, polishing, discussing and giving arguments over several points in my outline.  When it's looking good, I can start scheduling.
To write a 55 pages (A4) novella in 13 days, I need to write 4 pages a day. Religiously. On panic writing mode, I wrote 20 pages in the first 2 days. Which make a sense of relieve that I can continue writing with slower pace, because I still get plenty of time. Weird to say plenty of time when it's actually 11 days left :))
Write. After all the plan, you must start writing. I get a big lesson from my best friend & inspiration, Mbak Alberthiene Endah @alberthieneE – she said, "Make a movie first in your head about what your character's doing, then you write it." That's exactly what I did. I try to experience what the character's been through first (maybe visiting a cafe to see the possible activities he can do there), and write according to what I 'watch' in the 'movie' in my head. Your characters already have the story, you as a writer just need to type it down
To write faster, I put some of my own stories & experiences inside the writing. I even managed to interview a person with similar personality with the novella's character, just to see how he's going to react on some situation and that has been very useful for the writing.
Write with your best energy. Where you can focus 100% to your writing. For me, it means writing early in the morning before I start the day. I write while sipping tea, snacking, and classical music playing to stimulate my brain. That way, I can write more effectively than writing when I'm tired at night. Figure your best writing time and write regularly at those times.
Write everywhere. It's important to be able to write mobile, because sometimes I have early morning meeting or events that I have to attend and coming home late at night where I'm already tired and slept right away. So, between the traffic, waiting people for a meeting, you can always write.For that, I need a gadget that is light and thinner than laptop (so it's not too heavy to carry around), have keyboard (because I can't write in tablets), have long battery hours (because sometimes it's hard to find place to plug & charge), easier & fast access to the internet and looking stylish to carry around.

Lucky, now Intel has new line of products called Ultrabook™. It's a super slim laptop, can be put to sleep and back on each in 2 seconds, with up to 7-hours battery life, all without comprimising its computing power. It's been on my wish list since last year, and I'm very grateful that now I have my (limited edition design one) Intel Ultrabook™ to help me with my projects. If you interested to know more about Ultrabook™ you can check here or you can check specs & shop Ultrabook™ here.

Because I write everywhere and I took some notes and inspiration using my smartphone too, I use some tools. I use InSync in my Ultrabook™ to sync my writing document in Google Docs. So if suddenly I want to write using my friend's gadget, I can do that and continue writing because the document is synchronized. I also use EverNote for note taking in smartphones. And Mind Map if I need to generate ideas.
Read a lot. In the writing process, I read books with similar topic that I write in the novella. A good book can inspire you to write more.
Edit. Only when you finish writing, that you can start editing. Don't do it during the writing process. So get your hands off that backspace key. Turned out I can finished my novella in 11 days So I have 2 days to edit. I send to my bestfriend & personal editor @emiralda . I'm enjoying the day while Em edit the first draft. Then after she finished, I am recharged and revised all needed.
It's a wrap. Day 13. Sending my novella. Stop being a perfectionist and cut the worry. You have tried your best and it's time to close your draft and publish it into a book for the world to read.

I kept a writing journal when I write this novella, check it on my Tumblr >> project13

My novella will be a duet book and will be published by Gagas Media. Insha Allah will be published next month. Follow me on twitter @salsabeela and my Facebook for updates about my latest book.

At this point, I'm already starting a new writing project. How about you? Will you finish writing a book this month?

 
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Salsabeela Boutique

So happy to finally launch Salsabeela Boutique at Jl. Cipete Raya No. 9, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia (just in front of Black Canyon Cafe). Here you can shop Salsabeela's collection, offline.

At the launch event, Mbak Alberthiene Endah, my favorite writer and inspiration, come to be a moderator at the talk show with me and Mbak Yulia Astuti, founder of Moz5 Salon & MoAyu.

It's a wonderful afternoon.  Thank you friends for coming & support Salsabeela. Also thanks to Moz5 Salon & MoAyu for your support!

I'd like to share a story about my friend Wulan who's been confused on how to keep up with hijab update On Salsabeela boutique, I totally change her outfit, Salsabeela way

If you see on the pic, I'm wearing a black dress, it's the teaser of upcoming Salsabeela Glam: Salsabeela new line in party and glamour dress. Stay tuned!

 

 

 
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Welcoming SalsabeelaShop.com

As promised, I'm launching SalsabeelaShop.com today!

Being a fashion designer has been my dream, and dreams do come true. It was a very fast process. We have the idea in December 2011. Execute it in January. Finished design concept and everything by early February. And start producing, til it's now ready for you guys to see.

One thing I learn from Salsabeela's preparation is that my partner always give me deadlines (and it's a very tight one). Submit my designs by this date, find model by that date, and so on.

A goal is a dream with deadlines indeed.

Salsabeela's first collection is called: Prologue. I'm a writer, so everything about my fashion line must have something to do with writing. So, you'll see a synopsis, novel, basic draft t-shirt, flashback polka dots shirt, and more I intend to put more of this writing energy into my designs for the second collection. Just stay tuned!

For me, Salsabeela's collection is flattering, make you look slimmer, boost your confidence, and after wearing it myself since last week, I feel that Salsabeela's the kind of outfit that will make people make that 3 seconds look at you (in a good way)! Salsabeela's is a statement! With statement, people notice and remember you, and it's one of key of networking success especially in business.

I have no background in fashion, but I love it very much and some people say I have good sense of it due to my personal experiments in the past year. You can read about it in SalsabeelaShop Blog. In 2 months while preparing Salsabeela, I read a lot of fashion and marketing books, met and chat with fashion people, attending fashion shows at Indonesia Fashion Week 2012, getting photographed by fashion blogger from London And it's been a joyful journey.

And when you feel joy, you know you're walking on the right path. Insha Allah.

I'd like to share the joy by making a writing competition to welcome Salsabeela. The prize is having a make over with Salsabeela's collection and makeup by Moz5 Salon. Also first winner will get a beauty package by MoAyu 5 other winners each will get 1 of my hijab collection called Rose Hijab series. Rose hijab is one of Salsabeela's innovations in hijab shape. So… I hope you're excited Please click here to know how to participate in Salsabeela's writing competition.

And now, without further due, please welcome: Salsabeela by Ollie.
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John May and Angel Investors

Had a special opportunity to have lunch with John May, Managing Partner of New Vantage Group, a group of US Angel Investors. I must thank Mark Wang of GEPI (Global Entrepreneurship Program Indonesia) & Sara for inviting me. There are some other entrepreneurs coming for the lunch and we all sharing about our business and it's interesting to hear stories from both side, especially on what Angels expect from entrepreneurs.

Well, the conversation getting a bit 'higher' than my brain capacity hehe so I'd like to share a lighter story about Super Camp for the young people of Telkomsel community. I represent StartupLokal, talking about techpreneur in front of high school students. We've been doing this in several cities with Telkomsel, to create awareness and encourage young people to start using internet to produce their own content, to start aiming to become a techpreneur. In Bogor last weekend, I watched 150 sets of sparkling positive excited eyes when I told them about young people behind successful startups in the world.

 

At the end of the speaking session, one of them, a girl, 12 years old, asking me, how to convince Angel investor to invest in her business. A Justin Bieber's merchandise online store. I assumed the angel investor must be her mom and dad So, I told her this, if I'm your angel investor, I will want to know:

Whether you are trusted, have visions and very passionate with your business (or ideas) – clearly she's very passionate about Justin Bieber
If you have a solid team or partners to get things done?
Did you(r business) solve problems? – I told her to convince the Angel saying that if teenager can be aware of the power of dreams that Justin Bieber has, from YouTube artist to mega-celebrity, then your business can bring positivity and the world can be a better place
Your business model, how you make money, show it clearly – first from retail but maybe many other possibilities coming

I'm amazed with the little girl. She's 12 years old. I don't know what I was doing when I was 12. I have a big hope for Indonesia, seeing her! What she need now is a mentor to show her the right way. So, answering Mark's question about what GEPI can help, creating Angels network is one thing (Renald Khasali said we need 1,2 million Angel Investors to support Indonesian entrepreneurs), but GEPI can also help creating a mentoring panel for many stages of business. And to be specific about startup, a lot of Angels feel uncomfortable to invest in technology that they don't know much about, GEPI dan StartupLokal can collaborate to create more awareness for Angels about startup scene in Indonesia.

Playing 'investor' as one of partners in Project Eden, the startup we incubate, Spot Med group, just launched Spot Dokter apps. SpotDokter will help you locate the nearest hospital or health facilities you need. You can Download SpotDokter on your Blackberry and Android, iPhone app will come soon. The founders are young docs from Bandung >> Mendy Candella, Jaka Pradipta, and Pascal Christian. Very proud of you guys and Eden team for rocking the launch last week!

Eden will launch 2 more startup soon, so, we're excited! And quoting my new friend Kevin & Vincent said on our conversation at the recent #StartupLokal meetup, Indonesia: where the opportunities are.

 
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Beat Writer’s Block & Start Writing

I have just published 2 books in the past 2 months, they are Cerita Sahabat & Rahasia Penulis Hebat Menciptakan karakter tokoh. Both of the books are published at Gramedia Pustaka Utama (GPU), they’re one of the biggest publishers in Indonesia, and I’m excited to partner with a lot of great writers in those books.

But the thing is, in 2011, I only published 1 book that I write entirely, it was Easy Biz, a business book.

I said once, the only thing that can stop us being professional is personal problem. By personal problem means problems with your family and loved ones. And when I was having major personal problem, I can’t write at all for months.

When now, things are pretty ‘stable’, of course I need to write again. One whole tens of pages book, at least.

Problem is, I forgot the feeling of  ’marathon’ pace in writing books and I have to adapt all over again. Sometimes I feel like I’m blocked. People say it’s writer’s block. I simply call it: confusion.

I have this 50 pages something non-fiction script that is pretty much undone and need more revisions and writing to complete. My editor giving me a proper deadline for it. For days, I can only stare at the notes he made. I was overwhelmed. Then I try to loosen up. I treat the article I wrote for the book, as a simple blog post. I even write it in my blog’s new post section just to get the feeling. That way, because I don’t get overwhelmed by the size of my writing, I can calmly dig within myself, write with no burden. And I manage to write nice piece to add to my upcoming book.

On a long holiday last week, my parents ask me to go to the beach with them, I said no. I want to write. I intend to finish my book. Surprisingly, it only needs a day to do revisions and write more articles for the book. And one more day to get my friend to read and edit it, and me writing the new revision, then send it to my editor. Day 3, I can snack and watch dvds. The book is pretty much done very fast, when I focus.

For fiction, I should write a new novel but I have no idea what should I write. I tried to compose an outline but the plot is not that catchy. I continue searching for the inspiration.

Meanwhile, I keep writing whatever on my mind everyday on my Tumblr. It’s ‘uncensored’ and very personal. It’s my journal of reaction. And by writing regularly, I can keep my fingers unrusty. One day, I read an interesting article on other people’s blog  about old books, and my mind wander, in romantic dreamy way. What if… what ifs… and then I start writing the what ifs. And it’s become a lovely story outline. Now it’s time to write it and I think I’ll have no problem because it’s something that I love and passionate about.

Don’t forget to always open your eyes, heart, mind, soul… write when inspired, write to inspire.

Happy writing!
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Beat Writer's Block & Start Writing

I have just published 2 books in the past 2 months, they are Cerita Sahabat & Rahasia Penulis Hebat Menciptakan karakter tokoh. Both of the books are published at Gramedia Pustaka Utama (GPU), they're one of the biggest publishers in Indonesia, and I'm excited to partner with a lot of great writers in those books.

But the thing is, in 2011, I only published 1 book that I write entirely, it was Easy Biz, a business book.

I said once, the only thing that can stop us being professional is personal problem. By personal problem means problems with your family and loved ones. And when I was having major personal problem, I can't write at all for months.

When now, things are pretty 'stable', of course I need to write again. One whole tens of pages book, at least.

Problem is, I forgot the feeling of  'marathon' pace in writing books and I have to adapt all over again. Sometimes I feel like I'm blocked. People say it's writer's block. I simply call it: confusion.

I have this 50 pages something non-fiction script that is pretty much undone and need more revisions and writing to complete. My editor giving me a proper deadline for it. For days, I can only stare at the notes he made. I was overwhelmed. Then I try to loosen up. I treat the article I wrote for the book, as a simple blog post. I even write it in my blog's new post section just to get the feeling. That way, because I don't get overwhelmed by the size of my writing, I can calmly dig within myself, write with no burden. And I manage to write nice piece to add to my upcoming book.

On a long holiday last week, my parents ask me to go to the beach with them, I said no. I want to write. I intend to finish my book. Surprisingly, it only needs a day to do revisions and write more articles for the book. And one more day to get my friend to read and edit it, and me writing the new revision, then send it to my editor. Day 3, I can snack and watch dvds. The book is pretty much done very fast, when I focus.

For fiction, I should write a new novel but I have no idea what should I write. I tried to compose an outline but the plot is not that catchy. I continue searching for the inspiration.

Meanwhile, I keep writing whatever on my mind everyday on my Tumblr. It's 'uncensored' and very personal. It's my journal of reaction. And by writing regularly, I can keep my fingers unrusty. One day, I read an interesting article on other people's blog  about old books, and my mind wander, in romantic dreamy way. What if… what ifs… and then I start writing the what ifs. And it's become a lovely story outline. Now it's time to write it and I think I'll have no problem because it's something that I love and passionate about.

Don't forget to always open your eyes, heart, mind, soul… write when inspired, write to inspire.

Happy writing!
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Dreams do Come True

On today's article of Jakarta Post, they write about me and mention about how I make my dreams come true. Yes there are ways to do that, and it's possible. It's not a rocket science.

Jakarta Post also mention about me being a fashion designer. Yes, it's been a long time dream, a childhood dream that finally find its way. I am so excited to announce that I'll have my own fashion line called: Salsabeela ;)

I can't give much details about Salsabeela yet, just follow us on twitter @salsabeelashop  and sign your email at our website http://salsabeelashop.com to get information when we're ready to launch.

And like Selena Gomez says: who says you can't be the best?

 
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Welcoming Mark Wang of GEPI

Last night we welcome Mark Wang, Executive Director of GEPI (Global Entrepreneurship Program Indonesia) to Jakarta. I like him a lot. His body language is very open, vibrant and energetic. He's enthusiast and clearly passionate on what he's doing. He'd listen carefully for everything I said and give positive feedbacks the whole time. This is how people should be. And I am very optimistic for GEPI to make a greater change with him onboard.

Phil said to me, "His English is very good." – It's clear to me that Mark's an American. How come Phil didn't know that. He's American, he should've sense it :)) I finally asked Mark, and he said he's from Canada but spend a long while in New York before doing  social entrepreneurship in Thailand.

"This is exactly why I joined GEPI. My passion is in social entrepreneurship, and what entrepreneur like you usually do, is to fix problems. And I want to involve in it."

Good luck, Mark. We definitely have more to discuss about #StartupLokal community. Welcome to Jakarta!

 
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Belitung New Year Trip

Those of you that has been watching my updates on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & Flickr must have known that I went to Belitung for the New Year's holiday with the whole family. I think this is the first time after a long while we go together in a vacation.

I've been recommending Belitung as one of the best places to visit in Indonesia, a heaven for photographers. It has some of the best beach, scenery, pretty sunsets and it's the home of Laskar Pelangi. Most Indonesian know Laskar Pelangi. It's a mega best selling book by Andrea Hirata, telling stories about his childhood in Belitung. It was so inspiring because a little kid from small island in Indonesia could ended up studying in France, with the power of love from teacher and power of dreams.

Laskar Pelangi then brought into movie theater and create a huge success too. Since the movie, the local government paid more attention and brand the city as "Negeri Laskar Pelangi" or "Laskar Pelangi city". They also mark places of Laskar Pelangi movie sites.

I am amazed, now Belitung has more tourists, more new hotels  like Bahamas, Grand Hatika & Billiton to complement the existing Lor In Tanjung Tinggi. A local book indeed can stimulate the economy. Now why don't you start using your own city in your writing? Local government, please support your local writers too!

How to Get There

Ever since I post beautiful pics of Belitung, many friends asking how to get there. Here's how:

Best time to visit Belitung is in June or July; due to the wind, the wave will be friendlier and the water will have more beautiful colors
From Jakarta find flight to Tanjung Pandan using Sriwijaya Air (cost around $100 return, Jakarta – Tanjung Pandan)
Transportation you can get a car + driver. I don't have any recommendation for this though. It will cost you around $60 per day.
Hotel you can choose to stay near the Tanjung Tinggi beach, around 1 hour from Tanjung Pandan (Lor In from $100 per night) or in Tanjung Pandan (there's various options like Bahamas Belitung, Grand Hatika, Billiton, etc from $70)
The boat for islands hopping, a regular boat will cost around $40 – the main destination is Lengkuas island, famous with its lighthouse. Make sure you climb all the way to the 22 floor. It's beautiful up there! From there you can request to go islands hopping to small islands nearby. If you're lucky you can go to a sand islands where there's only little space of white sand in the ocean. I don't dive nor snorkel but you can also ask the best spots for that too.






Unique features of the Belitung Beaches are the granite rocks. Make sure you took pics of them while on islands hopping
Belitung is not only about beach but also has beautiful mountain side in Manggar, 2 hours from Tanjung Pandan. On your way there, you can stop and have a look at SD Muhammadiyah Gantong, the school of Laskar Pelangi.
For food, you can ask to have Belitung's Noodle (Mie Rebus Belitung), they have the best seafood too, and try their local coffee ($0.3 per glass)
Belitung has their own traditional house that you can visit. You can wear the traditional costume of Belitung people too and take picture for your FB profile, like tante Kanti (our host in Belitung, she's a 'Harbor Master' :D)

Thank you tante Kanti for your hospitality and VIP treatment we get while we're there

As we walk to the plane that will fly us back to reality, I look back to the mountains near the airport and I feel the sun instantly greet me on the tip of my sun glasses. I'll be back.
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Resolusi Tahun 2010
It's that time of the year again, where I'd check on my last year's resolutions and went crazy becau...

Belitung Islands – A Hidden Paradise
Happy New Year 2008









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