Especially for mothers caring for their little ones, you may have heard of the baby care product line called Gently. This local brand focuses on providing personal care products for both babies and mothers. Gently prioritizes formulas that are gentle, safe, effective, and, of course, offered at affordable prices. However, did you know that the innovator behind Gently is an Indonesian graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)?
Nyoman Anjani, co-founder of Gently, is a driving force behind this local brand that offers personal baby care products. Her idea stemmed from Nyoman's personal experience as a mother who observed that the baby care market was dominated by imported brands, raising concerns about potential side effects from harmful ingredients and unaffordable prices.
Nyoman Anjani, a native of Bandung, West Java, is a Sundanese woman. Her name, Nyoman, which is synonymous with the Island of Bali, comes from her father's Balinese heritage.
From an early age, Nyoman was exposed to engineering concepts through her parents, both of whom were engineering professors at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). Her father, a retired professor of Mechanical Engineering, and her mother, a lecturer in Industrial Engineering, instilled in Nyoman the belief that for Indonesia to progress, its industries must advance.
Despite being in a field predominantly dominated by men, Nyoman felt no hindrance. She found the environment supportive and motivating, prompting her to study even harder to keep up with her male counterparts.
While at ITB, Nyoman served as the President of the Family Student Cabinet (K3M) for the 2013/2014 period. She also played a role in initiating the Pelita Muda Expedition program, where ITB students conducted expeditions in underprivileged areas, empowering local communities. Nyoman believes that, in addition to academics, organizational experience is crucial, as the soft skills acquired proved helpful in her professional career.
Failed Attempt at LPDP Scholarship
After earning her Bachelor's degree in Engineering with honors in 2014, Nyoman was already comfortable working for a leading multinational consumer goods company. However, in her third year of work, she felt the need for further knowledge and career development.
Nyoman chose to apply for the LPDP scholarship to fulfill her desire to study in the United States. "I spent my free time after work in the evenings and early mornings studying, for preparation," she explained, as reported by Media Keuangan.
Success did not come on the first try. Nyoman failed in the LPDP scholarship selection in 2018 because her English proficiency score was insufficient. Only in the subsequent attempt did she succeed in securing a spot at her dream campus, MIT, where she pursued Integrated Design & Management to enrich her knowledge of manufacturing industries.
Adapting to Learning at a Top World University
Being a smart graduate of ITB did not exempt Nyoman from working hard to keep up with the rigorous coursework at one of the world's best universities.
She found studying abroad to be highly challenging, feeling more exhausted during her Master's program than when working. "I could work on assignments until one in the morning, sleep at 2, then at 7, I had to go back to campus for classes," she added.
Nyoman was also surprised by the level of student involvement overseas. With a more egalitarian culture, students there were not hesitant to raise their hands and ask questions before the lecturer finished explaining.
MIT, being the top-ranked university globally, undoubtedly provided facilities, faculty, and a curriculum above average. Being surrounded by intelligent individuals motivated Nyoman to excel in her studies.
Moreover, students submitting startup proposals at MIT could receive funding ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, complete with mentors. According to Nyoman, the ecosystem there strongly supports innovation and entrepreneurship.
During her time as an MIT student, she joined as a researcher in the field of manufacturing at the MIT Indonesia Research Alliance (MIRA), a collaborative research body between MIT, ITB, and the University of Indonesia, for over a year.
Returning and Building a Business
Graduating from MIT expanded Nyoman's perspectives and solidified her determination to choose entrepreneurship. While she could have remained pragmatic by becoming an employee, she believed that would have limited impact on society.
"The impact on society is nonexistent. We only get a big salary for ourselves," said Nyoman. Moreover, Indonesia has a potentially lucrative market waiting to be tapped.
During the period of searching for business ideas, coinciding with her pregnancy, Nyoman found inspiration to create baby care products. Her principle was to offer quality products at affordable prices, proudly made locally. The research and development process took considerable time before the Gently products were finally launched in April 2022.
Despite deciding to venture into the baby care product industry, Nyoman does not see her background in mechanical engineering as a waste. She believes that logical thinking in production is essential for business development. Challenges in business, such as marketing, talent acquisition, and distribution, are continuously being learned and overcome.
Nyoman's decision to embark on entrepreneurship and build the brand is her way of contributing to the wider community. She hopes her business can create job opportunities and that her products can provide the best benefits for babies and mothers in Indonesia.
"So, it's about benefits, how to provide benefits to the wider community, not just in terms of job opportunities but also from the products we create," said this semifinalist of Puteri Indonesia 2010.
To readers aspiring to pursue education, Nyoman advises staying motivated, working hard, and not giving up easily. She also encourages them to consider entrepreneurship to be self-reliant in their own country and bring benefits to others.