My college friend Amy, pregnant and toting her toddler, led the way into Kuala Lumpur’s Grand Bazaar in the fall of 2010. We took a right, climbed a flight of stairs, and wound our way back into a dark stall piled high with a rainbow of batik fabrics. She made her selections and haggled with the shopkeeper in Malay. Back at her house, she spread out a couple dozen finished batik baby slings—the beginning of her shop, The Batik Boutique—and the reason for the batik purchases that morning.
Amy told me about some of the challenges Malay women face when trying to find employment and how she was motivated to pay her employees a fair wage. It hit especially close to home for her, because it was a desire to help a struggling single mom she knew that sparked the idea for the boutique. They continue to expand their product line, and recently Amy gave an interview in the Malaysian media!
Obviously I LOVE The Batik Boutique, especially because I really admire how Amy manages her business to both benefit her community and help support her family.
I got an identical table runner for my mom for her birthday. I like how mine pairs with my Florida place mats, Vietnamese birthday lanterns, and pink silk kimono. I feel happy every time I see the dining room!