Wawancara Seorang pengusaha Sukses: Tahu Sari Rasa|Kelompok 4

Summary

In this interview, Heru Muhammad, the successful owner of HR Sari Rasa, shares his entrepreneurial journey. Starting from a family business in 2013, he faced numerous challenges, including intense competition and initial struggles with production. His perseverance, commitment, and lessons learned from mistakes helped him overcome these obstacles. Heru attributes his motivation to his parents and emphasizes the importance of hard work, prayer, and passion in business. He stresses that entrepreneurs must remain resilient and manage mental health effectively, while focusing on long-term success and business growth, driven by values of integrity and blessings over mere profit.

Takeaways

• 😀 Heru inherited the tofu business, HR Sari Rasa, from his family, which has been running since 2013.
• 😀 His initial experience in the business began after high school, and he faced a steep learning curve in production and quality control.
• 😀 Heru briefly attended college but dropped out to focus on the family business.
• 😀 The business, which specializes in tofu production, faced challenges due to intense competition and oversupply in the market.
• 😀 In 2017, Heru experienced a major setback, as he struggled with producing high-quality tofu and understanding the production process.
• 😀 Heru's resilience, hard work, and control over the business operations helped him bounce back and improve production.
• 😀 Heru emphasizes the importance of not giving up, learning from mistakes, and focusing on improving business operations over time.
• 😀 His main sources of inspiration include his parents, especially his father, who encouraged him to continue the family business.
• 😀 Heru believes in the power of perseverance and staying motivated, even when faced with obstacles, to grow and sustain the business.
• 😀 He highlights the importance of enjoying one's work and balancing business and personal life, as entrepreneurship often involves long hours and challenges.
• 😀 Heru's ultimate goal is not just profit but to create a business that is blessed and contributes positively to society, including providing jobs and supporting his family.

Q & A

What motivated you to continue your family's tofu business?

My main motivation came from my parents. Being the eldest child, I felt it was my responsibility to continue the family business. My parents' wisdom and guidance inspired me to take on the role of an entrepreneur and make sure the business thrives.

What were some of the initial challenges you faced when starting the tofu business?

One of the biggest challenges was the competition in the tofu market. Many small producers entered the market, and the number of consumers remained the same, making the competition fierce. I also faced difficulties with quality control and understanding the best production methods, especially in the early years.

Can you describe the lowest point you experienced in your business journey?

The lowest point came in 2017 when I struggled with producing high-quality tofu. I was still inexperienced and didn’t know the proper methods to produce great tofu. It was a tough year, but I managed to learn and recover by 2018 when I understood how to produce the product better.

How did you manage to overcome the difficulties you faced in 2017?

I overcame the challenges through hard work, learning from my mistakes, and improving my knowledge of tofu production. I also focused on better management of my workers and ensured that the quality of our product was consistently checked and improved.

What strategies or lessons would you suggest to others starting a business?

My advice is to never give up. Failures should be seen as opportunities to learn. Stay focused, trust in your vision, and always be patient with your journey. Also, enjoy the process of working—if you’re passionate about what you do, it won’t feel like a burden.

What role did your parents play in shaping your entrepreneurial mindset?

My parents played a significant role in shaping my mindset. They encouraged me to take responsibility for the business, and I followed their example. Their wisdom and the values they instilled in me—especially perseverance—motivated me to keep going despite difficulties.

What are the core principles you follow in your business operations?

The core principles I follow include perseverance, focus, and enjoying the work I do. I believe in staying committed to my business goals, even when faced with setbacks, and always striving to improve. It’s also important to maintain a positive attitude and enjoy the process of running a business.

How do you handle work-life balance, especially considering the unpredictable nature of your business?

Managing work-life balance can be challenging, especially in a business like tofu production, where issues can arise at any time. However, I remain committed to solving problems as they come up, even if it means working late at night or early in the morning. I focus on staying flexible and responding quickly to any disruptions.

How important is mental health in running a successful business?

Mental health is crucial in entrepreneurship. The stress and pressure of running a business can be overwhelming, but it’s important to maintain a positive mindset. If the work isn’t enjoyable or aligned with your passions, it will drain you mentally. I always try to manage stress by focusing on what I love about the business and not just the financial outcomes.

What is your long-term vision for the business over the next 5 to 10 years?

In the next 5 to 10 years, I aim to integrate more advanced technology into the business to improve production efficiency. I hope to reduce reliance on manual labor while ensuring the quality of our tofu remains high. Additionally, I want to expand the business and ensure its sustainability, while always maintaining the core values of the family business.