Andrea and Oliver.
KOTA KINABALU: Online platforms and social media have become the go-to to sustain businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jewellery maker Andrea Maturin fully utilises online platforms to keep her business going and market her handmade jewellery throughout the year.
Andrea has been making clay earrings with partner Oliver Nigel since August 2019. Their jewellery is sold under the Okiara Borneo brand. When the Movement Control Order (MCO) began, the duo took it as an opportunity to develop Okiara’s online presence through Instagram, as well as create a website to showcase and sell their work.
“A website has always been in the works, so when the pandemic reached Malaysia and we came under lockdown, we saw it as the perfect time. We launched okiara.com in April this year,” said Oliver.
The unique designs of Okiara clay earrings and affordable price point result in new launches selling out almost entirely within just one minute. Andrea also credits this to the rapport established with customers, through the interactive and friendly nature of their Instagram page, okiaraborneo.
“With our Instagram audience, we make the relationship very personal. There is a personal touch there when we talk to people in our direct messages. We don’t want them to feel like they are talking to a business operator, but rather a friend. We are not shy about some challenges we face and we share some level of vulnerability with our audience.
“Similarly, the designs of our jewellery are unique as each design is inspired by our travels, experiences and surroundings. We pour all that into making our jewellery so there’s a story behind it. Customers are invested in that,” Andrea shared.
Since the MCO limited several physical platforms, many small businesses lost a source of income, especially those who were more familiar with selling their products at market places or booths.
Realising this, Okiara offered its website to other local brands such as Macrame It by Brenda, OKURI and Luluskarton. The brands agreed to showcase their products on the website and Andrea said Okiara also collaborates with these brands via giveaways, to further platform them and drive traffic to their brand, thereby increasing its exposure.
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