Entrepreneur, Camping Enthusiast, Operations Manager, Business Owner, Padang, Indonesia

Part of the excitement in the behind-the-scenes at WOW Woman is highlighting every day women to other every day women across the globe. Where one can recognize themselves in a completely culturally and geographically distant person who lives/struggles/overcomes. When was the last time you connected to an Indonesian woman living in city of Padang, Indonesia? Here is your chance.

Ms. Rini Aris is that calm, cool and collected woman who gets stuff done, putting out daily fires; doing it without much fanfare, real recognition or appreciation. She deals with tourists arriving mostly from Jakarta, on their way to a very remote and isolated part of the world - the Mentawai Island chain off the coast of Indonesia. The travelers are tired and exhausted from having transfers in Singapore, Beijing, Accra or Dubai; Jakarta being second to last stop. These visitors are of various expectations and personalities. Some are avid explorers who are happy in the back of a tuk-tuk/rickshaw while others expect air conditioned vans. Ms. Aris deals with every sort; as she writes below, since 2000. You must appreciate a certain personality type who can deal with tourists, this is true in any part of the world.

Rini writes about her journey to get to where she is now - a boss woman with tens of subordinates. She opens up about her side hustle, why she loves to camp and trek and how being a female manager/boss is freeing. Happy and proud to know this strong lady.

1. Name.

My name is Rini Aris. I’m the oldest child in my family. I have four siblings (three brothers and a sister).

2. Where is your hometown?

I was born in Lampung, South Sumatra, Indonesia. 

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I’m working as an Operational Manager of two surfing companies located in the Mentawai Islands, near Padang, West Sumatra. The surfing companies are located on remote islands and I’m responsible for all the logistics of getting things off and onto the islands from the mainland Indonesia.

My average day is a mixed bag full of fun and challenges. Why fun? Because I don’t need to wear uniform, look like an office worker, look like an official of any kind and don’t need to enter an office building every day. It’s seems like I’m working, but I’m free. Why full of challenges? Because what the companies ask from me are discipline, being on time, and most importantly the ability and guts to manage all situations that may arise in the field. I also manage a team of people who are responsible for purchasing food, supplies, delivering visas, picking up and dropping off surfers and their families, arrivals and departures, liaising with the airlines, visa pick ups and submissions, and now COVID test arranging and dealing with multiple levels of paperwork needs. I’m the person responsible for seamless experience of people landing and heading to a very remote part of the world. I’m there to make sure they feel comfortable, supported and feel like VIPs. I have a big team and those who rely on me for placing orders, supplies and bookings of the various transportation and lodging accommodations in Padang (the middle stop between Jakarta and the remote islands folks travel for surfing).

Several other challenge, easy but can also be hard to face, are personality differences, cultural differences and various expectations of the guests themselves. But it is also easy for me, I’m outgoing, firm and manage various expectations rather freely. Working as freelance guide since 2000, and interacting with surfing companies (and their clientele) since 2004  has given me much experiences with facing many different people from many diverse countries. I love learning about different countries and in one year can interact with travelers from over 100 various cultures.

4. What did you study in school? Did it help you in your life/career?

I studied English literature in university in the city of Padang. My area of study really helped me in my life and career. When I was a child, I don’t know why I was interesting in English. I watched movies and tried to write the sentences in my own language and collect money cent by cent, to be able to buy a dictionary. My goal was to try to find the correct word after word; I was also interested in their pronunciation. At that time, to be able to take an English course was very expensive. I didn't want to put that burden on my parents.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the breakthrough moment for you (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life? What was your path like from your home town to your current job and city?

After I finished my Senior High School in 1999, I was thinking of finding a place that is a tourist destination, so I could practice my English. Padang, the Mentawais, and Bukit Tinggi were the famous places at that time. With a heavy step I left my family in Lampung and travelled to Padang by myself to “make all my dreams come true”. At that time I wanted to find job in a foreign company.

I found my place in Padang. It was a first step in a big city that guided me closer to something that was my dream all this time. I entered University, and joined with Padang Guide Association. Here was when my adventure began!

While in University, I explored Padang city and visited lots of famous places in West Sumatra province. I met many people in the tourism sector. One day I met a kind person who introduced me to a surfing company. I remember thinking that God must have answered all my prayers. I almost finished my studies but I didn't have a job lined up yet. I was shy about asking for money from my parents, I prayed to my God to guide me, to find a job before finishing University. I didn’t want to be a disappointment to my parents. I didn’t want to return home after school with nothing to show for it.

One week later I got the connection through that friend; I was now working for a surfing camp in the Mentawais. I remember calling my mom for her to finally stop sending me money cause I had a job! My parents were really proud to hear that news. I was lucky compared to my other friends because I was able to get a job before finishing my studies so I can pay for my graduation and my every day living all on my own. I believe all my sacrifices to take a chance, to move far from home and leave my family finally were paying off.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I had not idea that I would accomplish such a huge achievement in my life, and be where I am now. I think God answered all my prayers and rewarded my patience. I’ve got a good job as I dreamed, I’ve got a good ex-boyfriend (aka- Husband now..hehehe) and a handsome son. I think my life is complete. I’m so grateful. Big thank to my God Allah SWT and my prophet Muhammad SAW.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

When I found out that my parents were getting a divorce in my second year of University. That news totally knocked me down, mentally I was a wreck. But I didn’t want to give up with this situation. Life had to go on. For a year I felt really sad, always questioning things. But I believe I have a God that always make me stronger, able to face anything. I believe God tests me to prepare me for future problems. I really believe these hardships were the best way to show me that I can be a strong woman. I kept my mind full of positive thinking, ready to face whatever path God prepared for me in life.

9. Can women be all that we want to be? Can we achieve greatness? Do you think you're a feminist?

I totally agree that all women in this world can be what we want to be and show to the world that we can shine bright like diamonds, with all the talents we have.

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

The time I feel the “tallest” is when I am surrounded by peoples that love and support me. Or when I can serve, be a candle for the people that need me. “Life without love is like a tree without the blossoms or fruit", as Khalil Gibran said. I feel tallest when I’m surrounded by or give love.

11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

My main hobby is doing outdoor activities such as trekking and camping. I love those activities because they recharge my positive energy. Being outdoors reminds me of the presence of God. I appreciate just how huge and wonderful God’s creations are. He created this universe and we are small in front of Him. I am grateful everyday to the biggest creator and director guiding me in the best decisions in my life.

I’m running a small business called Lumin Camp focused on outdoor activities for individuals or large groups. The camp is designed to be a special space with tents and outdoor cooking, for retreats and large parties who are interested in camping and trekking.

My goal is to share with the younger generations how amazing it feels, and you can almost taste it, when you wake up in the morning and hear birds singing. How incredible it is to sleep under the stars with a night song of the blowing wind. I want to bring more city kids out to experience nature.

Through my work I want to introduce to the young people the importance of keeping forests green, learning the names of trees in their natural environment. I want others to feel part of nature in order to respect and appreciate it.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I want to make my dream above become true. I want to focus on forest or jungle education. How we can be a best friend to trees and animals that exist among us, and still keep them alive and preserve nature.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

What fears? I have no fears about anything. I believe in doing the best that I can today and success will be earned.

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

Maybe I would be a consultant or a wedding planner (wink).

15. What inspires you?

What inspires me? Leadership. Great leaders bring something to the table that you sometimes can’t put your finger on. Their passion, trust, respect for and ability to bring people together and get them to work toward a common goal is amazing!

16. What are some ingredients to a good life?

Happiness. Life is not easy, especially in this global pandemic moment. I just want to face this situation, go with the flow and believe that things will get better. It may be stormy now, but it never rains forever.

17. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

• Self-confidence guides me to be a person who believes in her own abilities.

• I’m a dreamer. Seeing people go after their dreams is inspiring and makes me believe that I can make my dream come true too.

• The way I can control and force my mind to try and remain positive, especially when facing a complex situation.

19. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why?

Raden Adjeng Kartini, also known as R. A. Kartini. She is one of the national heroes determined to fight for the emancipation of women. She is a WOW Woman in our Dutch colonization period, when we were know as the Dutch East Indies. Kartini supported and fought for the revolt against the oppressing colonizers. She serves as a good influence for all women for being strong and also for being an outspoken nationalist figure with new ideas for struggles for independence. Kartini came up with the slogan “from darkness into the light” and advocated for women to have access to education. All her struggles for the emancipation of women gave me an opportunity to be who I want to be today, with equal rights to Indonesian men. 

20. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

 You can find my outdoor space / camp for recreation here: @lumin_camp