Wawancara dengan salah satu pelaku usaha UMKM

Summary

In this interview, Rahmadini from Universitas Negeri Padang speaks with a local small business owner who started a banana cheese business in 2019, just before the pandemic. The entrepreneur shares insights on why she chose this business, the challenges faced during the pandemic, such as managing perishable ingredients, and how she adapted by finding cheaper suppliers. Despite a decrease in sales, she remains hopeful for the future, aiming to expand and open branches. The interview highlights perseverance, adaptability, and the determination to grow the business despite obstacles.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker's name is Rahmadini, and she is conducting an interview with an UMKM (small business) owner in her local area.
• 😀 The business owner started her business in 2019, before the pandemic.
• 😀 The business involves selling banana cheese, a simple food product that doesn't require a lot of time to process, allowing for flexibility in managing other tasks.
• 😀 The idea for the business came from social media, where the business owner got inspired to start selling banana cheese.
• 😀 The initial investment to start the business was not large, as the costs for materials and equipment were relatively low.
• 😀 Before the pandemic, the business sold around 30 boxes of banana cheese per day, at a price of 12,000 IDR per box.
• 😀 During the pandemic, sales dropped significantly to around 15 boxes per day, indicating a major decline in demand.
• 😀 One of the biggest challenges faced during the pandemic was managing perishable raw materials like bananas, which have a short shelf life (only two days).
• 😀 To overcome these challenges, the business owner reduced stock and focused on finding more affordable raw materials to keep the business running.
• 😀 The business owner's hope for the future is to keep the business going and possibly expand by opening branches in other locations.

Q & A

When did the interviewee start their business?

The interviewee started the business in 2019, before the pandemic.

Why did the interviewee choose this particular business?

The interviewee chose this business because it does not require much time to process, allowing for better time management and the ability to focus on other tasks.

How did the interviewee come up with the idea for the business?

The business idea came from inspiration through social media platforms, which led to the creation of a banana cheese product.

What was the initial capital for starting the business?

The interviewee did not need a large initial capital, as the costs for the tools and materials were minimal.

What were the sales figures like before and during the pandemic?

Before the pandemic, the business could sell 30 to 35 boxes a day, priced at IDR 12,000 per box. After the pandemic, the sales decreased to a maximum of 15 boxes a day.

What challenges did the interviewee face during the pandemic?

The interviewee faced several challenges, such as managing the perishable ingredients, particularly bananas, which spoil quickly. Additionally, there was the need to find ways to avoid losses and keep the business running.

How did the interviewee overcome these challenges?

The interviewee focused on controlling the stock of raw materials, reducing quantities as needed, and comparing prices to ensure the business could continue without significant losses.

What are the interviewee’s future hopes for their business?

The interviewee hopes that the business will continue to thrive and expand, with a goal of opening branches in several locations in the future.

What is the interviewee’s advice for running a small business during tough times?

The interviewee emphasized the importance of adaptability, such as adjusting inventory management and pricing strategies, to keep the business afloat during challenging times.

What did the interviewee say about their relationship with customers?

The interviewee expressed a desire for the business to grow and gain more customers, wishing for the business to succeed and increase its customer base.