#108 – MASTERING ADVERSITY & BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS: Inside the MOIE 30-Year Legacy

MICHELLE SHANG reveals the 30 years journey of MOIE. From a small boutique in 1995 to a one–stop luxury destination representing the world’s leading interior brands in Indonesia.

She shares how she “fell into” the family business, why she shifted MOIE from manufacturing to brand curation, and how the company has survived every major crisis from 1998 to COVID by staying obsessively close to clients. Michelle Shang is Design Director and co–founder of MOIE, which now operates nine flagship and mono–brand showrooms across Jakarta, representing brands like Minotti, Poliform, and other top Italian names in furniture, kitchens, and wardrobes.

She explains:

◼️ How an early love of art led her from graphic design and fashion into interior design

◼️ Why MOIE stopped manufacturing and focused on curating authentic, original global brands

◼️ The mindset that helped MOIE survive 1998, the 2008 financial crisis, and COVID

◼️ How “actions over words” and radical after–sales service build lifelong client trust

◼️ Why post–COVID homeowners care less about status and more about quality, comfort, and intimacy

◼️ How saying “no” at the right time led to the Poliform partnership and a landmark flagship store

In this conversation, Michelle opens up about divine timing in business, pressing the reset button on brands that no longer fit, and why Indonesian designers shouldn’t just follow Pinterest trends but create their own language by combining local culture with international standards.

Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, brand builder, or homeowner planning your dream space, this episode offers a masterclass on building a resilient, design–driven business that puts relationships and integrity above everything else.

Follow MOIE for more information:

Instagram: @moieliving

Instagram: @moiehaus.id

Instagram: @poliformjakarta

Instagram: @minottijakarta

Website: https://moie.com/