Innovation

In September 2008, Eddie Juandie started his business making creative crafts from corncobs. It took two years for Eddie to develop a formula that would sterilize the corncobs so that his creations would not deteriorate and could be sold. At that point Eddie increased his production and hired workers from surrounding communities that did not have jobs.

The crafts are still handmade using no automatic machinery. Eddie believes an automated process would decrease the value of his products. Handcrafting also allows him to continue to be a source of employment for poor people.

Eddie launched his product at the National Craft Exhibition. His first sale was to Ms. Oke Hatarajasa (Mr. Hatarajasa Wife’s- Minister of Economy of Republic of Indonesia). Ms Oke said that this was the most beautiful handicraft she had ever seen, so she bought a lampshade worth two million rupiah.

As we know, corncobs do not have a value, so Eddie didn’t need big capital to buy raw material. Now he orders more than 40 sacks of corncobs a month and has a net profit about 1.5 billion rupiah per quarter.

Eddie has become known as EDDIE BONGGOL JAGUNG, it means Eddie the corncob crafting man. His creative handy crafts are sold overseas in countries such as Japan, France, Singapore, the United States, and Dubai. One hotel in Dubai purchased his creations for 50 rooms to provide a unique way to store toilet tissue and soap in the bathrooms. People in France have ordered corncob wine bottle covers.

His dream is to sell his corncob handy crafts worldwide so people all around the world can see and know that all trash can be turned into gold.

Inspiration

Eddie earned a bachelors degree, but was disappointed that his degree did not lead to a great job. So he burned his certificate and started to create new ideas to make money. He said, “even if I can get a high position in a company, I still don’t have the freedom to explore myself to become a person who creates good things for the world”.

The Idea began in 2008, when his friend gave him a gift crafted from corncobs. One week after that, when he saw many corncobs in the trash in Bogor (West Java), he thought making crafts could be a potential business.

Overall impact

Eddie Juandie has grown a thriving business making products from a raw material that had no economic value. He now sells his products internationally and has been recognized for his creativity and entrepreneurial skill by government agencies and other businesses. In the process he has been able to create employment for low skilled people in his community and teach unemployed people throughout Indonesia how to create profitable businesses of their own requiring little or no capital.

Business benefit

Eddie’s business has been in operation since 2008. His has developed a national reputation for his products and makes a substantial income allowing him to expand his business and employ more people who would otherwise not have a job.

Beside economic benefit, Eddie Juandie also has a business goal to help all unemployed people. He has hired many workers from street musicians to poor people.

Social and environmental benefit

The Corncobs Crafts are getting the attention of local governments and corporate businesses. They asked Eddie Juandie to introduce his product and train more unemployed people how to make corncob crafts. The purpose of the training would be to start more household industries in Indonesia and improve the Indonesian economy.

He has now conducted training for people in in all regions in Indonesia to show people that creative ideas can be profitable. Even trash can be used to start a profitable business.

Interview

Eddie Juandie, Founder and Owner