S01: Understanding Your Life Mission with Lolo Santosa

Lolo Santosa is the founder of Toko-Toko, an online and pop-up shop. Their shop offers  Indonesian brands that are created and based on Sustainable and Fair Trade principles.  Products range from fashion, home goods and accessories.  They currently work with artisans in Jogjakarta and Flores to create their in-house brand Martini and Milk.

Lolo spoke to her father when she went back home to Indonesia. Her family is from an island called Java, and although she had been living in the US a long time she felt like she needed to go back to her roots for clarity. It was clear that the law degree Lolo had achieved in school wasn't feeding her soul. It wasn't giving her the purpose that she desperately was trying to understand. All she knew was that there were little things in her life that were calling her. The environment, sustainable fashion, and the Javanese people that she cared about so deeply.

Lolo asked her father a simple question, “what does it mean for you to be a Javanese?”. He responded simply, “being a Javanese means you understand what your mission is in life”. From those words sparked an understanding for Lolo about what she was looking for. She was looking for a mission. Something she could be proud of, no matter how difficult it may be. The risk of creating a selfless mission can seem daunting, but it’s the pride Lolo feels that keeps her going. I’m sure it’s a feeling she would never give up to make her life just a little easier again.

   

Find Lolo Online:

Website - https://www.tokotoko.us/

Facebook - @tokotokoUS

Instagram - @tokotoko.us

 

Some Questions I Ask:

When did you start thinking about sustainability and helping your people from Java? (05:03) At what point did things really transition from being enlightened to taking action? (12:20) What is the process of how workers get compensated so little for the things we buy? (14:28) What are some of the values we can take from your people and bring them to the US? (23:30) Do you think other companies, especially big ones, will step up to the plate and help many of these people get treated fairly? (28:00)

 

In This Episode, You Will Learn About:

The people of Java, which is an island in Indonesia How respecting the environment can directly effect your happiness The power of meditation How to purchase sustainable products that are supporting the workers The anxieties of running your own business, and how to deal with them

 

Music Composed by John Zarcone