Tugas Wawancara Tema Kerajinan Kayu (Mabel) PKWU

Summary

Mr. Harjito, the owner of a furniture business in Keraskulon, has been in the industry for almost 22 years, starting from humble beginnings with a small loan. He offers a range of custom furniture and even builds homes for his mostly lower-to-middle-class customers. His success stems from a deep knowledge of carpentry, learned over the years. Despite facing competition, he remains confident that his customers will find him. Looking to the future, he hopes his children will continue and grow the business even further.

Takeaways

• 😀 The interview is with Mr. Harjito, a furniture business owner from SMAN 61 Karas.
• 😀 Mr. Harjito has been running his furniture business since 1997, making it nearly 22 years old.
• 😀 He chose this business because of his background as a carpenter, understanding the materials, and how wood works.
• 😀 He started his business from scratch without initial capital, relying on a loan from BRI (a bank).
• 😀 His store opens from 7 AM to 4 PM, with workers starting around 8-9 AM.
• 😀 Mr. Harjito offers custom-made furniture, catering to customer needs such as chairs, wardrobes, and even houses.
• 😀 Prices vary depending on the project, with significant costs for large orders like houses, which can reach around 30 million IDR.
• 😀 The majority of his customers come from lower to middle-income groups (around 70%), while 30% come from higher-income groups.
• 😀 The business’s income is unstable, with Mr. Harjito focusing on buying materials and paying workers first, with the remainder going to his household needs.
• 😀 Mr. Harjito is not concerned about competition with other furniture stores, believing that his success and customers are determined by fate.
• 😀 His hope for the future is for his children to continue the business, growing it further, as he is already in his 50s and nearing retirement.

Q & A

How long has the interviewee been involved in the furniture business?

The interviewee has been involved in the furniture business since 1997, which means he has been in the business for almost 22 years.

What motivated the interviewee to start a furniture business?

The interviewee was motivated by his prior experience as a woodworker. He worked as a carpenter and learned about the properties of wood, including how it breaks and its market prices, which gave him the knowledge to run a furniture business.

How did the interviewee start his furniture business?

He started the business with limited capital and initially took out a loan from BRI (a bank). He opened a small store and gradually built up his business.

What was the interviewee’s initial business strategy?

The interviewee's initial strategy was to start small and work his way up. He acknowledged that businesses don't grow overnight, and starting with minimal capital meant he had to begin from the ground up.

What are the working hours of the interviewee’s furniture business?

The business opens at 7:00 AM and closes at 4:00 PM. However, the workers, or carpenters, tend to start their work later, with some leaving at 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM.

What types of furniture does the interviewee sell?

The interviewee sells various types of furniture, including chairs, cabinets, and even custom-made items such as houses. His goal is to serve the community by fulfilling different furniture requests.

How does the interviewee determine the price of furniture?

The prices vary based on the type of furniture and materials used. For example, a house might cost around 30 million IDR, while smaller items like cabinets are more affordable. The interviewee makes sure to account for material costs and labor when determining prices.

Who are the interviewee’s typical customers?

The majority of the interviewee’s customers come from middle and lower-income groups, with 70% of customers falling into this category. The remaining 30% are from middle-upper income groups.

What is the interviewee’s approach to competition in the furniture market?

The interviewee believes that competition is part of the business. He trusts that his success depends on his effort, and if customers choose his store, it’s his 'rezeki' (blessing). If they choose another, that’s someone else’s fortune.

What are the interviewee's future hopes for his furniture business?

The interviewee hopes his children will continue the business after him and take it even further. He wants the business to grow and thrive, especially with the younger generation's involvement.