For many, entrepreneurship is about chasing dreams and financial freedom. But for women with disabilities, it is often a matter of survival. Without access to stable jobs, business financing, or community support, many find themselves struggling to make ends meet.

For Sutiasih, entrepreneurship was not a choice—it was a necessity. When tragedy struck her family, she had to rebuild her life from the ground up, armed with only her determination, sewing skills, and a deep desire to provide for her children.

This is not just a story of financial success. It is a story of grit, resilience, and a mother’s unwavering love—and how Maybank R.I.S.E., an initiative by Maybank Foundation, helped her turn adversity into opportunity.

A Life Turned Upside Down: The Weight of Loss and Responsibility

In 2022, Sutiasih’s world shattered. Her husband, the family’s main provider, passed away from heart disease, leaving her as the sole caretaker of their two young children and elderly mother.

 “I couldn’t afford to grieve for long. My family needed me to be strong.”

For months, fear and uncertainty consumed her. She had always been a skilled seamstress, taking occasional orders from neighbors, but with no structured business, no savings, and no stable income, she was suddenly thrust into a desperate financial situation.

Her biggest fear? Not being able to feed her children.

The daily struggles she faced:

  • Unstable income – Some weeks, she had sewing work. Other weeks, she had nothing.
  • Delayed school fees – She often had to borrow money or ask for extensions to pay tuition.
  • Basic needs left unmet – Groceries, milk for her mother, and even electricity bills became uncertain expenses.
  • No business direction – Without a strategy, her sewing orders remained inconsistent and unpredictable.
  • She needed help, but she didn’t know where to start.

A Lifeline: Discovering the Power of Maybank R.I.S.E.

Everything changed when Sutiasih learned about Maybank R.I.S.E., an entrepreneurship training program designed for persons with disabilities.

At first, she wasn’t sure if it was for her. Could a simple sewing business truly grow? But with nothing to lose, she decided to give it a shot.

What she found was more than just business training—it was a transformation.

What Maybank R.I.S.E. Taught Sutiasih:

  • Reaching More Customers – She learned how to leverage WhatsApp and Facebook to promote her sewing services, connecting with customers beyond her local area.
  • Understanding Her Market – Through the Customer Analysis module, she realized that many working women struggle to find time for in-person fittings. She launched remote measurement services, which became a game-changer for her business.
  • Financial Literacy & Smart Planning – Before, she mixed personal and business money. With the Financial Management module, she learned to separate finances, budget properly, and track expenses—a crucial step in gaining stability.
  • Building a Growth Plan – Maybank R.I.S.E. mentors helped her set goals, structure her pricing, and plan for expansion.

“I realized that my business had potential—I just needed the right skills to unlock it.”

Armed with newfound confidence and strategic business knowledge, she redefined her business approach.

From Survival to Success: The Turning Point

Sutiasih wasted no time applying what she learned from Maybank R.I.S.E. Within months, she saw a remarkable transformation.

Here’s what changed:

  • Customer Base Grew Rapidly – With digital marketing, her clientele expanded beyond her immediate community, securing repeat customers.
  • Revenue Became Stable – Instead of unpredictable income, she started earning consistently, covering school fees without stress.
  • Financial Freedom & Planning – She implemented a savings plan, setting aside 10% of her income every month, giving her peace of mind for emergencies.
  • Giving Back to the Community – With stability, she donates 5% of her income to a local orphanage, ensuring her success uplifts others in need.
  • Providing for Her Family – She can now afford healthier meals for her children and milk for her elderly mother.

From struggling to survive, she had built a thriving business that empowered not just her, but others around her.

Beyond Business: The Impact of Women’s Economic Empowerment

For Sutiasih, success is not just about financial security—it’s about changing perceptions and proving that women entrepreneurs with disabilities can lead thriving businesses.

Why women’s economic empowerment matters:

  • Financially independent women reinvest in their families, improving education and health outcomes.
  • Successful women entrepreneurs create jobs and opportunities for others in their communities.
  • Women supporting women leads to a stronger, more inclusive economy.

“Women don’t just build businesses. We build communities. When we succeed, everyone succeeds.”

Looking Ahead: Expanding Her Business & Inspiring Others

Today, Sutiasih is planning for the future.

  • Hiring an assistant – She wants to train another woman in sewing, creating employment for others.
  • Expanding product lines – With demand growing, she is introducing customised designs to increase orders.
  • Scaling up marketing efforts – She now actively promotes her work online, ensuring sustainable business growth.

She no longer fears the future—she is building it with confidence.

Be Part of the Change

Sutiasih’s story is a powerful testament to how the right training, mentorship, and support can transform lives—not just for one person, but for entire families and communities.

Through our work with Maybank Foundation, People Systems Consultancy (PSC) is proud to play a key role in empowering women entrepreneurs with disabilities through financial literacy, business development, and market access strategies. Programs like Maybank R.I.S.E. don’t just create individual success stories—they lay the foundation for long-term economic empowerment.

Imagine the impact if more businesses championed initiatives like this.

At PSC, we specialise in designing and implementing high-impact social impact programs that empower communities, support entrepreneurship, and drive sustainable change.

If your organization is looking to build an initiative that creates measurable impact—whether in financial literacy, small business growth, or workforce empowerment—we can help.

Let’s work together to build sustainable, inclusive opportunities for all.

🔗 Learn more about how PSC partners with corporates to create impactful programs here.
🔗 Visit the Maybank Foundation website to explore the impact of Maybank R.I.S.E here.