Lidia Siregar Purnomo, Business Development and Creative Director of Goodrich Global Indonesia, chatted with Liviani Putri about how she challenges herself to become a top player in the hospitality industry.
Pregnancy doesn’t seem to deter Lidia Siregar Purnomo from keeping busy. “Focusing on my family and my baby is the biggest project that I’m working on these days,” she says. Then she goes into the morning routine she’s been following lately: “I have to stay fit and energized; that’s why having a good breakfast is important. I always eat with my husband. While he has his lemon water and tea, I’m drinking milk, eating lots of fruits, a slice of toast with a cup of coffee. My doctor said that expecting mothers can still enjoy coffee every day.”
As the Business Development and Creative Director of Goodrich Global Indonesia, she is currently working on strategic business planning and the development of the New Goodrich Suites Hotel. “I’m still involved in the daily operations of the Goodrich,” Lidia elaborates. “My team and I have just completed a few projects, such as for The Intercontinental Hotel Pondok Indah, Sequis Tower, Pondok Indah Puri Indah Hospital. Then, there are ongoing projects such as for MNC Park Hyatt, The Langham Hotel, District8 and many more hotels, commercial buildings, offices and residential projects.”
The family business offers an extensive range of wallcoverings, carpets, fabrics and flooring. Lidia herself holds several roles, including leading the firm’s marketing and advertising teams while at the same time working directly with interior designers and artists. When asked about why she handles both aspects of the business, Lidia answers: “Goodrich has been part of my life since I was growing up. Over the years, one of my greatest personal achievements is being part of the team that brought this traditional business into the world of interior lifestyle.”
She continues: “That’s why I decided to take on a new venture in the hospitality industry. My parents have been running the business since 1980, bringing in materials from Europe, America and Japan. During that time, Goodrich has dressed many hotels from global chains with wallcoverings, fabrics, carpets and floorings. Then I thought, why don’t we use our expertise in creating our own venue? Having worked closely with hotels, I gradually developed an appreciation for the hospitality industry. I love the vibrancy, chances to communicate with more people, to entertain and creating a good ambience.”
Another source of inspiration was her passion for travelling, which was expressed in the Goodrich Suites design concept. “It’s a collection of the most memorable travelling experience I had in Paris. Known as the city of love, home of design, art and culture, Paris is home to a particular hotel that I really love and stayed frequently at whenever I had the chance. I then shared the concept to a fellow designer friend and here we are.”
“Goodrich Suites was born to be a modern, luxury-living, laid back and chic hotel where we want our clients and guests to feel good and feel at home. Located near TB Simatupang, Dharmawangsa, Gunawarman, Kemang, Senopati and SCBD where the shopping and dining and also business destinations are located makes it the right choice for travellers. What makes us unique is that it is the home for the Goodrich Gallery, as the company’s showroom and office, but it still blends well with the hotel vibes.”
“We have 76 charming suites that feature exquisite décor with different types of wallcoverings, from contemporary to exclusive, hand-painted ones. There’s the Sixty Resto & Bar, a Cuban-inspired dining venue with a relaxed setting where guests can have dinner by the outdoor pool or host various events. The meeting rooms are also popular with corporate clients. During the week, we have more business travellers and companies while on the weekends there are plenty of families because we want to encourage fun staycations. During the festive seasons, the Gallery Hall is booked for parties like Christmas and New Year’s—both for sit-down dinners or standing parties. We have tailored event support and catering services that will exceed every customer expectations,” explains Lidia.
Looking back at her career track, from her involvement in the family business since a young age and now creating her own, Lidia expresses that her parents are her main influencers. “I’m driven by the entrepreneurial spirit of my parents,” she elaborates. “Their energy and tenacity are what shaped me. Since I was young when my parents discuss business matters, ideas and strategies, my brother and I were always nearby. Thus, we became infused with the drive to be entrepreneurs.”
“On the other hand, they taught us to always be humble to everyone, including employees who come from different backgrounds and each has its own unique characteristics. It’s also important to have good integrity and at the same time have the grit and spirit to achieve the best. Having strong religious beliefs and values helps me become a better person every day.”
The long road to success, of course, is filled with challenges—and Lidia had her fair share of these. “I must say that time is a major sacrifice that I have to make, especially in understanding clients, customer needs and meeting their expectations. I think family and good friends play a huge role in supporting me during the hard times. My brother and I work very closely to keep our vision afloat and our mission on the right track. My husband also runs a business, so I can discuss and seek advice from him along with my parents.”
Living the busy life of a businesswoman and juggling various in her company all while being a devoted wife and mother-to-be, Lidia has developed her own personal regimen to stay fit. It all begins with a healthy and nutritious diet. Then comes having an active lifestyle, working out, keeping a positive mind and a drive to continue learning new things. Whenever she has free time, she spends it travelling.
“I like to visit places with strong design or architectural elements, and then immerse myself in the culture through food and art,” she says. “Experiencing local lifestyles is one of the best parts of travelling. I feel energised by all the good vibes because it keeps my creativity flowing. Luckily, my husband also loves to travel. We feel it’s great to visit interesting places that aren’t mainstream as well as unusual destinations where we can be more adventurous.”
As the interview came to a close, Lidia shared her hopes and ambitions for the future. “Family and work will still be my main points of focus. I will keep learning how to run the business from my husband—he is my main inspiration and supporter. Of course, I will continue to be active, thinking about the new ideas to grow my business. That and foster good relationships with my teammates, which I think is integral to growth.”