Feby Jabrik

Tell us your story – how did you get here?

I am Balinese born and raised, but I think my story really began when I married my husband, Tipi Jabrik. We were a young couple ready to live a life full of adventure, with free will and a love for travel. We were super excited for what was to come, and to start our journey as a family.

My husband is an ex-pro surfer, so surfing is his passion, especially when it comes to growing the surf scene here in Indonesia. He was already running a small surf organisation, which later became an official professional surfing company, The Asian Surf Co. As for me, I grew up in the hospitality business; my parents built their first hotel in Ubud in 1989, The Ubud Village. It was the only industry I knew.

So when we got married, we knew we needed to do more, especially since we had a little person that we needed to support. So we opened our small cafe in Ubud, and all of our food and beverage businesses grew from there. Fast forward to today, and that’s how Good Mantra, Matanari and Kosta House were born.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I would say becoming a mother and raising children with strong personalities while running our businesses. Finding that balance between work and family life is what I am most proud of.

What impact have you made in Bali?

I love working with people and food, and I’ve come to realise that we are sometimes unconscious to what we are putting in our body. So I try to inject as much of what I believe into all the venues that we build. We always try to source locally to support the local farmers, and we avoid any processed food where possible. And as much as we can, we try to inspire others, whether it be to inspire them to live a healthy lifestyle, or to inspire young Balinese women to feel that they are enough, to be who they are, and to become what they want to be. We want to inspire our community to know they are capable of turning their dreams into a reality with the right actions.

And of course, we like to share the good times with our friends and customers, with good quality cocktails and small dinner parties too. Because life is all about balance!

What does 2022 look like for you?

This year will be an exciting one – we have some new projects lining up in the very near future! We’ve learned that we always want to make surfing, wellness and healthy living a core part of all aspects of our businesses, so that’s the direction we’ll be moving in. I trust that everything that’s yet to unfold is only for the better. Good vibes all around!

What do you love most about Bali?

I love everything about Bali. Bali is home. I love the people of Bali. Everywhere you go, Balinese people will always smile and be very welcoming, which is why so many foreigners make Bali their home. Bali has a magical way of making a big stamp on people’s hearts. And yet, there is even more to Bali than most people see in Canggu or Seminyak – explore beyond these areas and that’s when you will truly feel the Balinese hospitality.

I also love the nature in Bali – it has so many natural wonders on just one small island. Its beautiful coastline goes from pristine white beaches to magical black sand, while the highlands are dotted with active volcanoes, flowing waterfalls and beautiful lakes.

And then there’s the essence of Balinese culture – it is truly one of a kind. The Balinese today still continue age-old legacies to maintain balance and pay respect through daily rituals. The Balinese philosophy of life – Tri Hita Karana – has always been the essence of how Balinese people seek harmony in three key areas of life: harmony with the Gods, harmony with people and harmony with nature. You’ll see these upheld throughout Bali, from the different ceremonies on special days to celebrate the Gods, to the gathering of the community to come together as a united society.

What's the quirkiest thing not many people know about you?

I always put things in a safe place, but then I forget where I left them and can’t find them later on!

Who is your Local Legend and why?

My late father – he was my teacher and my protector. I also want to shout out to the following: Together for Bali for helping the locals while in crisis; Gary Bencheghib and Sungai Watch for helping to keep Bali’s nature in balance; Bali Usada and Bapak Merta Ada for spreading consciousness; Neka Art Museum and Pak Neka (my grandfather) for preserving heritage objects like the ancient keris (Balinese sword), and of course, my husband Tipi Jabrik for providing a platform to give Indonesian surfers a better future.