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Summary

This video features an inspiring interview with Mr. Hidayat, also known as 'Mr. Baja,' the founder of Steel Meatballs, a business born during the COVID-19 pandemic. He shares his journey from a humble cart to a successful venture with unique, traditional Javanese meatball recipes. Despite initial fears and competition, Mr. Hidayat's persistence, supported by his wife and unwavering determination, propelled his brand forward. With a focus on consistency and quality, Steel Meatballs offers both ready-to-eat and frozen options, thriving through challenges like lockdowns and shifting to online sales, showcasing the resilience of small business entrepreneurship.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, Mr. Hidayat (also known as Mr. Baja), started his steel meatball business during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to break out of his comfort zone.
• 😀 Despite initial fears and doubts, Mr. Hidayat was encouraged by his wife to pursue the business, with a focus on taking small steps and staying positive.
• 😀 The business began with a simple cart, selling meatballs to colleagues, with word-of-mouth helping to grow its reputation.
• 😀 Mr. Hidayat faced challenges due to the high competition in the meatball industry, but his perseverance and unique recipe helped him stand out.
• 😀 Steel meatballs are distinguished by their strong traditional Javanese spices, which are a family legacy passed down through generations.
• 😀 The business adapted to the market by offering both fresh and frozen meatball options, with frozen meatballs being delivered with a unique packaging system.
• 😀 The frozen meatballs come with their own set of spices and vegetables, allowing customers to prepare them easily at home.
• 😀 The transition to better packaging, such as tinwall instead of plastic, was driven by networking with other small businesses and gaining insights from feedback and criticisms.
• 😀 Consistency and resilience in the business are key themes emphasized by Mr. Hidayat, who learned that success requires steady effort, even in challenging times.
• 😀 Despite moments of doubt, such as during the pandemic's lockdown restrictions, Mr. Hidayat persevered by turning to e-commerce platforms to continue sales and expand his customer base.

Q & A

Why is the business called 'Steel Meatballs'?

The name 'Steel Meatballs' was chosen as a philosophy behind the business, symbolizing strength and resilience. The name 'Baja' comes from 'Jawir Meatballs,' with 'Jawir' being a nickname from the founder's office colleagues, combined with the idea of strength during the difficult times of the pandemic.

What was the motivation behind starting the meatball business during the pandemic?

The motivation came from the uncertainty and discomfort of the pandemic, as the founder was in his comfort zone but wanted to create something new. The pandemic inspired him to start a business at home without needing expensive production tools, initially making the meatballs manually.

How did the founder's colleagues react when he first started selling meatballs?

The founder brought the meatballs to his office and shared them with his colleagues. They found the meatballs delicious, and word of mouth helped increase awareness of the product among neighbors.

What role did the founder's wife play in his entrepreneurial journey?

The founder's wife was a huge source of support. She encouraged him to pursue the business, even when doubts arose. She helped him push through fears of failure, and her constant support was crucial to his persistence.

What challenges did the founder face when starting the meatball business?

The founder faced challenges such as fear of failure, the competition in the meatball industry, and doubts about whether the business would succeed. He overcame these by focusing on consistency, supported by his wife’s encouragement and affirmation.

How are Steel Meatballs different from other meatball brands?

Steel Meatballs are unique due to their traditional Javanese spices, which have been passed down through the founder's family. This gives the meatballs a bold, distinct flavor that sets them apart from others in the market.

What is the packaging strategy for Steel Meatballs?

The packaging evolved over time. Initially, the product was packaged simply in plastic. As the business grew and the founder learned from others in the MSME community, the packaging improved to include tin cans and other higher-quality materials, differentiating the product’s market position.

How does Steel Meatball packaging cater to different customer needs?

Steel Meatballs offers both ready-to-eat and frozen options. The frozen meatballs come with all the necessary spices and ingredients, allowing customers to easily prepare them at home by adding hot water. This caters to busy individuals looking for convenient meal options.

What role did e-commerce play in the success of the business?

During the pandemic's lockdown, when physical sales were limited, the founder turned to e-commerce platforms such as Grab Food and Shopee Food. This move helped increase sales and proved to be more profitable than traditional, offline methods.

What advice does the founder give about dealing with setbacks in business?

The founder emphasizes the importance of persistence and consistency, even when faced with setbacks. He advises entrepreneurs to stay positive, keep working hard, and remain open to criticism, as it can help improve the business in the long run.