Mentors connect small businesses to key resources for growth

Amid the energy and drive of West Java’s entrepreneurial scene, two stories of perseverance emerge. Halim and Sansan, small business owners who faced tough setbacks, found their turning points through meaningful connection and mentorship.

Connecting to the right kind of support

During the uncertainty of the pandemic, Halim launched a small Muslim clothing store. His business steadily grew in Purwakarta, but as the economy shifted and living costs soared, he hit a plateau. To scale his production, especially during the high demand of Ramadan, Halim required capital. He sought loans from formal banks, only to face repeated rejections due to a lack of documentation on his business' performance. Halim’s confidence began to wane as time was running out to meet production deadlines.

Just as he felt like he was running out of options, Halim met Dedeh, a Mercy Corps team member. Dedeh is a skilled mentor for the Mastercard Strive in Indonesia program. Equipped with local business knowledge and a trusted network, Dedeh offered critical guidance and understanding of the information and paperwork banks needed to approve loans. Within a week, Halim secured a 20 million rupiah (~$1,200 USD) loan for a one-year term from Bank Rakyat Indonesia. He used this money to ramp up production, and his income soared by nearly 400% in a month. "She didn’t just help me get a loan, she helped me believe in my business again," Halim shared, a testament to the mentorship that extended beyond helping him obtain financing to include vital training through mobile apps that covered financial literacy and digital marketing.

Digital tools enhance business skills

Meanwhile, in Garut, Sansan found an ingenious way to turn waste into treasure. Since 2010, he has been crafting unique piggy banks from reused cardboard tubes. His business thrived until the pandemic hit, halting sales and forcing him to become a motorcycle taxi driver. By late 2024, returning customers revived his business but limited capital stood in his way.

That’s when he connected with Nanang, a Mercy Corps mentor from the Mastercard Strive program. Nanang’s mentorship opened doors by providing training in financial literacy, digital marketing, and financial services through mobile apps. With this guidance, Sansan received an 11 million rupiah (~$680 USD) loan from Bank Rakyat Indonesia for a one-year term. This funding allowed him to secure more raw materials, doubling his production capacity and increasing his income by 50%.

Today, his eco-friendly piggy banks are not just products; they're symbols of perseverance and sustainability, and he dreams of reaching wider markets online. “Thanks to the support from Mastercard Strive and higher income, I’m able to save again for my kids’ education,” Sansan said. “That gives me peace of mind.”

Digital tools and hands-on support build lasting growth

Halim and Sansan's experiences underscore a crucial insight: for small businesses, the biggest hurdle isn’t just accessing capital, it's finding the right kind of capital, paired with personalized guidance and tools that fit their unique journey. Mercy Corps mentors helped each entrepreneur gain the confidence and trust to work with a formal financial institution, opening more doors for their business. This is the heart of Mastercard Strive's approach, combining both digital tools with human connection to foster sustainable growth.

Mercy Corps works in Indonesia and around the world to create economic opportunities so families can grow their income and save for the future. Through the Mastercard Strive program, both Halim and Sansan gained not just financial resources, but also the confidence to navigate an unpredictable economic landscape. With increased income and greater financial literacy, they're able to save more for their children's education and future, turning dreams into tangible plans. By investing in the right support for small businesses, the ripple effect is more stability and hope for families and communities.