So, she set-up Earth Heir, a social enterprise to help them sell their products, and by doing so, allow them to develop sustainable livelihoods and gain financial independence.
“We work with about 120 artisans from all over Malaysia, including refugees, Orang Asli, Orang Asal, B40 women, and so on. It’s a large variety of groups, where we focus on a lot of different crafts and skills,” Sasibai told FMT Lifestyle recently.
Her new store near Central Market is a joint effort with the Sea Monkey Project, another social enterprise.
With a selection of weaved bags, jewellery and home décor, the shop is a delightful treasure trove that features arts and crafts from communities all over the country.
Back to where it all began, Sasibai said that after working in the financial sector in New York and London, she reached a point where she began contemplating about the legacy she wanted to leave behind.
After quitting her job, she went to Cambodia to teach English and help build schools in the local community. That’s where she met many survivors of sex trafficking.
“I couldn’t help them get over their trauma, so I used my skills in finance instead. I bought products from these survivors and sold them to my family and friends.”
Initially it was just a hobby, but a friend gave her the nudge she needed to pursue this as a business in order to help these communities on a permanent basis.
Initially lacking the confidence to pull it off, Sasibai took the leap anyway and registered Earth Heir 10 years ago. She hasn’t looked back since.
After winning the British Council Social Enterprise Award in 2015, she began working with local communities and focussed on Malaysia-made products.
“As a Malaysian, I felt very uneducated about the rich heritage and culture we have. It was when I travelled the country and met all these local artisans that I realised we have such a rich heritage and so much of it is dying,” the 44-year-old said.
She added that it was equally important that customers learn how to appreciate traditional heritage and ethical fashion. She recalled how one client asked why a small mengkuang bag costs RM100 instead of RM20.
“I told him it takes two years for the mengkuang to grow and two weeks for it to be processed to make the bag. So, do you want to pay so little for something that takes this long to make?”
While sourcing materials from outside Malaysia could slash costs by one-third, Sasibai said that this was out of the question.
She said she was serious about the “Made in Malaysia” label as it was important to support local communities and the many artisans who depended on their crafts to earn a living.
She added that if these measures were not taken, traditional skills would disappear completely over time.
“It benefits the tourism industry too, as tourists want to buy products that are made here which they can bring home.”
She related how one of the first weavers she met, a woman named Kak Nelly from Miri in Sarawak, was able to send her kids to university and move into a bigger house through the sale of the bags that Earth Heir helped market for her.
“Sadly, she passed away last year, but we are working with her daughter Grace now. She still weaves our bags for us.”
What does Sasibai wish to achieve in the future?
“My dream is that eventually Earth Heir doesn’t exist anymore. That sounds weird, but for me, success is when the people we work with no longer need us, because they can stand on their own two feet and grow on their own.”
Follow Earth Heir on Facebook and Instagram; or head to its website.