2010
Life
doesn't always go according to what we expect. Many ideals accumulate in the
brain but sometimes they become dull due to several reasons. There are those
who want to be successful but only have dreams, there are also those who take
shortcuts, maybe there are even those who just pray without acting; while many
are successful because they started from zero. It depends on what method we
want to achieve it?
But
I'm sure it all started from a dream. So are we wrong to dream? To me, “No!! A
dream for me is a goal. In goal theory, it is said that every individual has a
goal. A person's efforts to achieve goals are a source of motivation.
Therefore, it was precisely my dream that motivated me to dare to enter the
business world. In fact, there are still many other dreams of mine, which it is
my obligation to make come true. As long as... we don't insist too much on
achieving it so that when we fail we feel that life is very bad! I am sure, at
every step, by letting "Nawaitu" guide me, I will be able to do my
best as far as I can. I believe that true and good intentions (in God's eyes)
will get rewards similar to a snowball that gets bigger and bigger over time.
Of course, pursuing dreams is always accompanied by "designing" the
future in a human way.
When
I was an employee at a private company, I just sat in front of the computer
with a pile of work that I had to complete. In the company, I occupy a position
that is quite important and promising according to my educational background.
However, my little heart is often disturbed and I think, when will I be able to
sit back and enjoy the results without having to leave early in the morning and
come home late at night.
Well...
Life is a choice, letting go of a job you've had for 5 years is not an easy
decision, especially since I enjoy the job. But on the one hand, my little
heart kept asking "how long will it be like this?" Humans do not feel
satisfied with their lives, but as long as it is positive and does not harm
other people, why not continue to pursue that satisfaction?
Finally,
I decided to try the MLM business. Even though it was smooth at first, this
wasn't what I was looking for (even though at that time I had quite a lot of
downline). Finally I decided to stop.
Almost
every day I browse just to look for information about various kinds of
businesses that I want to run, but again I run into several obstacles, such as
capital, time, etc. Hmmm... how long will I continue like this? Time goes by
and my brain doesn't stop thinking.
Precisely
this year I decided to get married, and this year I also had to make a decision
that gave me a very dilemma, namely giving up my job for the sake of my
husband, even though it was clear that at that time I didn't have any business
at all! Moreover, I have to stay far from the hustle and bustle of the
sparkling city of Jakarta.
Discouraged
?? Certainly not ! Thank God...I still have the achievement motivation to
continue to be better in life. I never give up. Even though I'm far from the
crowds, there are lots of things I can do. Starting to diligently browse
becomes the main job when you become a housewife . I believe Allah knows what
our intentions are. At that time I decided to start a shoe and accessories
business. I took up this business because it has become a part of almost every
person (especially women) who is inseparable from prioritizing appearance. At
that time, I immediately contacted craftsmen from Lombok to intend to join. It
was tit for tat, and at that moment I immediately started using one type of
social network to promote my products - the products I was selling.
Why
do I run an online business? The current computer and internet revolution
allows everyone to carry out several activities in cyberspace, communicating,
studying, playing, or even working. Most importantly, the main keys to social
networks are content, interaction and friendship. Apart from that, the busyness
of individuals nowadays is a reason for those who don't have time to shop
outside the house to use the internet, to shop online. One of my customers also
admits this, and sometimes even asks to add products other than accessories and
shoes.
There
are many benefits that we can get from this online business. Apart from quite
effective marketing through social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter
and others... there is no need for a strategic location or large space to
accommodate merchandise. Just window dressing. There is no need for extra
monitoring of online stores, because we can use the push email facility on our
cellphones, so that every request or offer will be immediately received on our
cellphone screen. This way, we can do housework while not having to worry about
looking after the shop.
The
things above are some of the benefits that we can experience from online
business. Low investment with better gains, of course, but note that it must be
done with focus and consistency.
The
low level of consumer trust in online businesses (a result of the behavior of
irresponsible people who only seek momentary profits) is a challenge for online
shop entrepreneurs to be able to increase consumer trust again. The way to do
this is by providing product data as clearly as possible and correct
information about our site, such as address, telephone number and other
valuable information. In online business, the best initial stage of promotion
is to promote to close friends and relatives. This is done to foster trust at a
broader level.
I
market the products that I sell online through social networking forums (FB)
and the Goldy Shop. My official website is www.aleabutik.com. In marketing a
product, we must know "What are the wants and needs of consumers?" to
which segment is the sale made?” These things are necessary so that sales
advertised online will be more targeted.
In
sales, after I made observations of course I started an online business,
inseparable from my love for these products. Love for something will make it
easier for me to carry out entrepreneurial activities online. Love will also
lead to recognition of each user according to the characteristics of each type
of product that I offer.
The
products I offer are shoes, bags and pearl accessories ranging from necklaces,
bracelets, rings and others. The quality that I provide for consumers to use is
not random because the work comes from craftsmen directly in Lombok. "The
consumer is king" is a sentence that must be paid attention to so that
there is a win - win solution in sales transactions.
The
price range for products varies, from 50,000 to millions of rupiah; depending
on the model, layer used, and type of pearl desired. However, a cheap price
does not mean the quality is not good. I still provide the best pearls for
consumers, but the difference is only in the coating (not real silver or gold)
Then
what about shoes? For shoes, the price range is Rp. 135,000 for the weidge
model and Rp. 120,000 for flats with a ballet shoe model. For shoes, sales are
not immediate because they have to go through quite a long process of between 2
weeks to 1 month, because the shoes are hand made and require time for embroidery.
In
marketing, for accessories, my target is various groups, of course teenagers
and mothers. So far, they usually order pearls for private collections or some
for resale. There are also, based on customer recognition, intended as gifts to
be given to parents. The market for shoes is teenagers and employees. Even
though the process took quite a long time, thank God, there was no reduction in
orders. Apart from not being disappointed with the results, they can order
colors and designs according to their own wishes. As for bags, they can only
order according to what is on the sample model.
In
marketing, initially, I used all the products I was going to sell myself,
including shoes, bags and accessories. Then offered through friends who teach
in schools (for the youth market). Or, through a younger sibling who happens to
be in high school. Thank God, this method also turned out to be quite
effective. Consumers need a model first to determine whether I am suitable or
not. Thank God, I'm flooded with orders. Online media also plays a very big
role because it reaches everyone wherever they are. Even though I couldn't see
the model I was using directly. Through photos like the one below, consumers
still get a clear and perfect picture of the product.
That's
the simple picture I can give. Hopefully it can provide benefits, the income I
get from this business can't be said to be fantastic, because I'm just a
beginner. However, I always think about trying and being creative anywhere,
even though I have to be far from the city of Jakarta. It turns out that the
satisfaction I feel is more about keeping myself busy in continuing activities
and interacting with others and providing alternative satisfaction in shopping
to consumers. Even though I'm only a sub distributor, I'm still happy and one
day I even thought about opening a business like this with my own brand.
So why stay silent and wait for something that is not certain? Dream.. n.. Take Action..!! Everyone needs a process to achieve their dreams. My dreams don't stop here. We have to change the environment if we feel that the new environment cannot adapt.
Now the person open the Cake and Bakery business :) Oemah Arga
Yayah Chauliyah. S.Psi.
