INTHEBLACK July 2022 - Magazine - Page 60
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// G I V I N G B A C K
STORY KATIE LANGMORE
SOCIAL
FABRIC
DAYANA REZA CPA PICKED UP 20 PIECES OF BATIK
FABRIC TO RESELL IN KUALA LUMPUR AFTER A VISIT
TO THE MALAYSIAN STATE OF KELANTAN. A FEW YEARS
LATER, WHAT BEGAN AS A CASUAL SIDE HUSTLE HAS
BLOSSOMED INTO A THRIVING SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
THAT FOCUSES ON FAIR TRADE AND EMPOWERMENT,
PROMOTING THE WORK OF LOCAL ARTISANS AND
RAISING FUNDS FOR LUPUS PATIENTS.
A
t a time when the cost of living is on the rise
and charities are struggling to raise funds, the
burgeoning world of social entrepreneurship
offers a powerful philanthropic alternative.
Dayana Reza CPA developed an interest in social
entrepreneurship when she was young and this interest,
coupled with her love for numbers, spurred her into studying
accounting – a decision she’s been grateful for ever since.
“I really believe that CPA does give that platform for
individuals like myself to be groomed into a mini-CEO.
You have everything. I am already an accountant on my
own; I already know the ins and outs of how to start a
business,” says Reza.
“It’s easy when you have all those skills already with
you, especially when financials are key in keeping the
business profitable and sustainable in the long run.”
Reza has put her financial skill set to good use in
her social enterprise Nyonya Kain, a handmade batik
collection of clothing and goods that Reza designs and
sells through her online store and stockists.
Reza began the company in late 2018, while working
as a regulator in the Malaysian capital markets. “I was
always looking for a side hustle to feed my creative and
entrepreneurial interest as well as earn additional income,
given I was working in the main city and costs of living
were pretty high,” she explains.
Reza initially tried working on the side as a professional
photographer, but she shifted her focus to batik fashion
and crafts after a visit to the Malaysian state of Kelantan,
a region with a rich history in textiles and the local arts.
“I never thought my actual idea of bringing just 20 pieces
back to Kuala Lumpur to resell would blossom into the
enterprise I am currently running on the side at this moment.”
Reza began designing batik goods, which she has
made by local producers, and sourcing others from local
artisans, with a focus on fair trade and empowerment.
While Nyonya Kain is a for-profit company, in addition to
supporting local artisan production Reza has supported
multiple causes through the company in various ways,
60 ITB July 2022
Above: Dayana Reza CPA
with a selection of
Nynoya Kain products.
Nyonya Kain – meaning
"textile lady" – is a social
enterprise that produces
and sells batik
fashionwear and
collectibles. By
empowering local
artisans and supporting
charitable causes,
Nyonya Kain gives
customers the
opportunity to give
back to the community
while purchasing
beautiful fashion
statement pieces and
handicrafts.
nyonyakain.com
CLICK HERE
TO ACCESS
CPA Australia’s
resources on
voluntary or pro
bono accounting
services
such as donating a percentage of sales. “There was one
[initiative] that was really successful. I noticed that there
were a lot of roadside workers and delivery riders who
were reusing their disposable surgical masks, and they
were all black and dirty. That sparked the idea of giving
customers the option to buy two batik face masks for
themselves and have a Nyonya Kain mask donated to a
delivery rider.
“I found people to collaborate with, and within two or
three months we had actually donated 1500 masks, not
only to delivery riders, but also to others in need in the
community.”
Reza says she has always felt a strong drive to give
back to the community. “For me, being in Malaysia and
being a Muslim, we always believe the more you share
with others, the more you’ll get it back. The world has
gone through so many downtimes, and in these periods,
I always think to myself what else can I do. I may not
be able to change the world, but I can certainly use my
time to do something good, and hopefully by doing that,
others can emulate and also do their own initiatives and
find other ways to help others in any way possible.”
A chat with Reza highlights her incredible energy,
passion and drive – which explains her ability to run a
successful company outside a full-time career – but she
shares that in mid-April she was diagnosed with the
autoimmune disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
(SLE) or Lupus.
In addition to changing her lifestyle, Reza has shifted
her philanthropic focus, now concentrating solely on
raising funds through Nyonya Kain for the Malaysia
Lupus Society, an NGO which aims to provides financial,
emotional, and health support to SLE patients nationwide.
The entrepreneur certainly hasn’t been quelled by her
diagnosis.
“I will continue to fight and be strong for myself…I aim
to create awareness on how important it is to remain
resilient, strong and be in the presence of people who
truly support you and want to see you happy.”