Entrepreneur, Restaurateur, The Boss, Bali, Indonesia

Meeting Ms. Yeye Suwastini several years ago was awe-inspiring. She seamlessly directs her business in Bali, catering to fickle tourists like an absolute pro. She draws you in immediately, gets you talking. Behind that external charm is a tough business woman who is a leader in her community. With a few Indonesian restaurant owners on the island (never mind women), she is in the minority. She attributes her skills to training with one of the best resorts in the world. However, it’s more than that; it takes a special woman to be the boss around here. Ms. Suwastini is a diplomat, a cold-hearted negotiator, having the guts to say no, many times over.

Several other female business owners in Indonesia informed me that on multiple occasions they are forced to sit behind a male associate who negotiates on their behalf with the suppliers and builders. Something tells me that Yeye does not need to do that. She is the boss, in all senses of that word.

I’m personally inspired by this woman, and am privileged to call her a friend. I hope that business picks up and Bali opens to tourism mid-year. I think we need to protect women like Yeye at all costs. She is the future of Indonesia. Please read the interview transcribed from our chat in April 2021.

1. Name.

Niluh Yeye Suwastini. Suwasti means blessed. Yeye is my good luck name. Suwasti is my holy name.

2. Where is your hometown?

My home town is Singaraja, in the North of Bali (Singa is lion, Raja is king). I ran away from there when I was a teenager. My lifestyle in the village was hard, my mom died when I was 16. Physically and mentally to survive, was hard. My father was not in good shape. I managed to stay only until 19, working in a bank there. I moved to a bigger city, Denpasar, at 20. That’s when my life took shape, I was more settled and that’s when I also met my husband.

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

Entrepreneur, with big ideas. But during COVID times I’ve had to be careful with planning and looking for the next ventures. I’ve had to slow down.

I own a restaurant owner. It is located in Uluwatu, Bali. It’s called Yeye's Warung and a Gift Shop attached to it (and several others in Bali).

Here is a controversial statement: pandemic was good for our soul and body. Before, we were so spoiled. Now business owners appreciate when we make even one penny. Personally, as a restaurant owner, I’m back to old Yeye, to the excited and appreciative business woman. When I first started and opened my shop. Before corona I was “floating” without worries. We all were, and not appreciating. Sometimes I cry when I think of that time. This has been a good lesson for all of us.

4. What did you study in school?

I finished high school. Then worked at the bank. Then I started working at the Four Seasons, Bali. I worked there in 1992. I then went to college in 2005, took management and economics part time. But as my job and college were really far, I quit. But I consider experience I received at the Four Seasons to be the real schooling.

What did I get from my Four Seasons experience? English language skills, experience, structure, a LOT of management training. Pretty much the best experience in hospitality. Everyone who left Four Seasons, at least my peers, have all become successful business people in Indonesia.

Although it seems that every Balinese woman’s dream is to work in a bank (indoors and out of the elements) and I did meet a lot people during my time there. But it was Four Seasons experience that gave me ideas about what I could accomplish. Sometimes we have reunions and almost all my old coworkers have their own businesses, their own restaurants. No more housekeeping for them.

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?

Now I look at my 12 year old daughter and smile. She works at my shop and she has certainly picked up some skills from me. She tells me: “I am working 10 – 5 today and I want 20% of everything I sell”. She calculates it too!

I appreciate my staff. But they also know that I’m strict. Whether I’m at the restaurant or not on any given day, doesn’t matter. Because whatever the restaurant makes, its success affects every employee. The 5% profit of the restaurant is divided by everyone and added to each employee’s salary. Success is in everyone’s interests.

Why don’t more locals open restaurants? I feel like locals don’t have that hospitality “style” – the local style doesn’t work in a restaurant style.

What is your dream for your daughter? Beyond her current modelling dream, I want to give her two shops. 

And my husband? I will bring him to the garden. We are a good team – he is my first baby. His logo is “living the dream”. He is certainly helpful and helps out around the restaurant. We trust each other. He doesn’t stand between me and what I want to do, businesswise because I do everything for our family. And he knows that.

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

When I was 19 and 20 I only thought about what I’d be doing the next day. Surviving. I literally did not have a spare penny. I couldn’t buy noodles. I couldn’t buy crackers. In school, I remember having to make a decision whether I’d have a meatball that day and walk home OR ride a bus home and no lunch. I chose to fill my stomach, because as I walked home there could be a classmate who would give me a ride.

Regardless, as a 20-year old or now, I was always ambitious and a leader. I always ended up in leadership roles, whether others managed to seek me out, or naturally. I like philosophy of a woman. I like to nourish and bring people together.

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

Oh my god, so many times. Lot of things to deal with over the years. And now I’m worrying about my kids. It just never ends.

8. Advice for other women?

Be strong. Independent. Don’t beg. Don’t beg for any pennies from your husband. Financially, be you. Woman has to be physically, financially, independent. Many women say – “oh, I have kids” – Still, you should work! Part time at least. At least you have some self-confidence, some self-respect. So when you want to buy lipstick, you don’t have to ask your husband. Many women, come to me with questions and relationship problems. I just tell them this, straight up.

I met a woman from Brasil once, in my shop (which is attached to my restaurant). She was looking at something, and asked me how much. She then proceeded to walk to the table to ask her boyfriend’s permission and for him to give money to her. I took her hand and showed her the mirror. I said “Look at yourself. You are strong and beautiful. When you go home, take a wallet, carry it with you. Have money in it, for yourself. Your money. Period”. She cried right then and there. That independence is crucial and you have no idea how much I see that control around my daily life. It’s not right.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, and in Indonesia, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

Women are on the way there. So far, men are controlling us. Even if you’re an independent and a strong woman, you still in your relationship, have to love and respect one another. If you respect and love, if you have a good base. You are equal. You need me and I need you, kind of thing.

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

Where do I feel at peace? Within myself. Me, I make myself most at peace. Yes, sometimes it’s the beach, but that’s only for a moment. In general, I believe you can only find peace within yourself.

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

Social events, organizing, helping poor people in the community. During the worse COVID months, we put together fundraising for the community. Food drive for people who literally could not feed their families.

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

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a police woman. I was so disciplined. My grandma was a judge. I remember her the following way: uniform, red lipstick, smoking a cigar (I remember thinking, just like a man), walking down the hallway clicking her high heels. That was my picture of a WOW Woman. I always aspired to that image. So that’s what I want to be when I grow up. It’s not a dream, it’s destiny.

 13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

My fears: my kids, if they can catch up. If they elevate themselves in life. But I trust that each of my children will become someone.

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

I would stay in the mountains. I came here 27 years ago. Nothing was here, in Uluwatu. I stayed in the hut. I brought candles and ice from “the town”. Noone was here in 1994. Times were simpler.

15. What inspires you?

Kids and nature. I love an idea of and I want to build a yoga studio. To run free retreats. That inspires me and I’m going to do it soon!

16. What are you hopeful about?

I hope to be healthy for as long as I can.

17. What are some ingredients to a good life? Has the global pandemic changed your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

On self motto I live by: Don’t wait for tomorrow. Do it today. Don’t wait.

My friends and staff know about this. If I have an idea – they know I want to follow up on it today, and now! Tomorrow is different, tomorrow other things come in the way. 

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

19. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self?

Be strong. Become a leader.

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

Not reading, but a lot of mediating and yoga.

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

My grandmother and my mother. Before she passed away, she was a business woman (she owned a market shop), she worked hard but was also nice to others. Although she passed away when I was 16, I remember her as an angel. Rama and Sita – that is story of love, and that was my parents’ story.