Kisah Sanawi, Lulusan 1 SD jadi Miliarder Es Krim

Summary

The video shares the inspirational journey of Sanawi, a man from a poor family in Blora, Central Java, who only completed first grade. Despite hardships, including illiteracy and working as a cowherd, Sanawi was determined to change his life. After multiple struggles, including being abandoned in a terminal, he found success in selling ice cream. Starting with just a bike and small investments, he eventually built a distribution network with over 700 partners. Through hard work, persistence, and a desire to learn, Sanawi now runs a thriving business with a multimillion-dollar turnover.

Takeaways

• 💼 Sanawi, a first-grade dropout who couldn't read or write, became a successful ice cream entrepreneur with a multimillion business.
• 👨‍🌾 He grew up in a poor family in Blora, Central Java, and initially worked as a cattle herder, following in his father's footsteps.
• 🛣️ At 16, Sanawi tried to move to Jakarta but was abandoned by his neighbor at a bus terminal, which led him to return home discouraged.
• 💪 Despite setbacks, Sanawi went back to Jakarta alone, determined to change his fate by taking any job he could find.
• 🎨 He began by offering painting services, shouting 'longcat,' which piqued people's curiosity.
• 🍦 Sanawi shifted to selling ice cream and quickly found success, earning enough to buy a motorbike and eventually a car to support his business.
• 👥 Sanawi built a network of ice cream vendors, growing his business to over 700 partners and 27 sub-distributors across Indonesia.
• 🏭 He also owns a factory in Kudus that produces 40,000 ice creams daily, further expanding his enterprise.
• 📚 Despite his lack of formal education, Sanawi learned to read and write at the age of 35, driven by his desire to succeed in business.
• 🚀 His journey emphasizes hard work, persistence, and the importance of never stopping learning, no matter one's background.

Q & A

Who is Sanawi, and what is his background?

Sanawi is an entrepreneur who started with very little formal education, having only completed first grade. He was born in 1974 in Blora, Central Java, into a poor family. His father was a cattle herder, and Sanawi followed in his father's footsteps before eventually becoming a successful ice cream businessman.

What challenges did Sanawi face when he first attempted to migrate to Jakarta?

Sanawi’s first attempt to migrate to Jakarta was difficult. He traveled with a neighbor, but the neighbor abandoned him at a bus terminal, forcing Sanawi to return home in tears. This experience did not break his spirit, and he eventually returned to Jakarta alone.

What did Sanawi do for a living when he first arrived in Jakarta?

Initially, Sanawi looked for work as a construction laborer, but it was difficult to find opportunities. He then began offering painting services by walking around housing complexes shouting 'longcat longcat,' which meant he was offering his services as a house painter.

How did Sanawi transition into selling ice cream?

In 2006, after moving to Samarinda, Sanawi met a friend who was selling ice cream. He saw potential in this business and borrowed 60,000 rupiahs to start selling ice cream door-to-door using a bicycle. His initial sales efforts were modest but successful, and he realized the business could be profitable.

What was the turning point in Sanawi’s ice cream business?

Sanawi’s turning point came when he recognized the potential for expanding his business. He began persuading his fellow laborers to switch to selling ice cream, eventually growing into a distributor with hundreds of sellers working under him.

How did Sanawi overcome the challenges of expanding his business?

One of the major challenges was accessing capital. Sanawi found it difficult to secure loans from banks, but after many attempts, he finally succeeded in getting funding, which helped him grow his business significantly.

What does Sanawi’s business empire look like today?

As of 2010, Sanawi had 400 ice cream sellers working with him, and today, his network has expanded to over 700 partners across multiple regions. He also operates through 27 sub-distributors across Indonesia, producing 40,000 units of ice cream daily in his factory.

What challenges did Sanawi face due to his limited education?

Sanawi's limited education presented challenges, especially with administrative tasks like signing legal agreements. He feared making mistakes that could lead to legal trouble. Eventually, he learned to read and write with the help of his children, despite only learning at the age of 35.

What is Sanawi’s philosophy on success?

Sanawi believes that hard work, persistence, and continuous learning are the keys to success. Although these principles may seem common, he stresses the importance of applying them consistently and with discipline. He also emphasized learning from others, especially successful people in his industry.

How does Sanawi continue to grow and adapt in his business ventures?

Despite starting with very little, Sanawi never stopped learning. He continues to expand his knowledge by interacting with other successful ice cream sellers and adapting his strategies. His desire to continuously improve and learn has been a driving force in his ability to build a business empire.