BOJONEGORO, JurnalPost.com – Starting as a small-scale venture in 2010, Ariani has successfully maintained her snack catering business in Balen District, Bojonegoro Regency, East Java. Over the approximately 15 years she has been operating, she has consistently focused on product quality and customer trust, enabling her to record a gross turnover of around Rp14 million.
Ariani’s journey in building her culinary business was not instantaneous. From the beginning, she faced various challenges, ranging from sourcing raw materials and maintaining the taste of her snacks to managing capital to keep production running.
Her catering business serves a variety of community needs, including family gatherings, meetings, neighborhood events, and various other occasions. These orders serve as a primary source of income that sustains her business.
For Ariani, retaining customers is a crucial part of running a business. The competitive nature of the culinary industry requires business owners to be consistent in maintaining food quality while providing service that meets consumer needs.
From a Simple Venture to Surviving Over a Decade
Starting the business in 2010 provided Ariani with extensive experience in understanding the dynamics of the culinary industry. She realized that running a snack catering service requires careful management, especially when order volumes increase.
The availability of raw materials is one aspect that requires close attention. Every order must be prepared properly so that the products can be delivered to customers according to the agreed schedule.
"In running a culinary business, capital requirements are inseparable. Moreover, business owners must ensure that raw materials are always available so that customer orders can be fulfilled on time," Ariani explained.
In addition to maintaining smooth production, business owners must also account for operational expenses to ensure the business has the capacity to grow.
Years of experience have allowed Ariani to continuously adapt to customer needs. Consumer trust has been a key factor in helping her maintain the business amidst stiff competition in the food industry.
Leveraging KUR BRI to Support Capital
In managing her business, Ariani has utilized the People's Business Credit (KUR) facility from Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI). This financing is used to support her working capital needs.
For catering business owners, working capital is a vital necessity. Purchasing raw materials, acquiring production equipment, and fulfilling orders require sound financial planning.
Access to financing such as KUR can be an alternative for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to support business activities, provided it is used according to needs and repayment capacity.
Beyond utilizing financing facilities, Ariani uses a BRI account to support her business's financial transactions.
She also utilizes the BRImo application, which allows various banking services to be accessed via mobile phone.
According to Ariani, the presence of digital banking services provides convenience because transactions can be performed without having to visit a bank branch.
"The use of digital banking services is also part of how MSME players adapt to technological developments. Ease of transactions helps support business activities, especially when managing payments and operational needs," she said.
The use of digital services is a form of adjustment by business owners to the changing transaction habits of the public.
Financial Management as a Vital Part of Business
Being able to sustain a business for approximately 15 years is a significant achievement for Ariani. However, business continuity is not determined solely by the number of orders received.
Managing income and expenses also plays a crucial role, especially in a catering business that requires regular purchases of raw materials.
With a gross turnover of around Rp14 million, Ariani’s business serves as an example of how small-scale culinary ventures can continue to operate through diligence, service, and access to financial resources.
However, gross turnover is not the same as net profit. This income must still be reduced by various operational costs, including raw material purchases, production needs, and other business expenses.
Therefore, the ability to manage capital and maintain cash flow is an equally important aspect of sustaining a business.
Ariani hopes that financial service support will continue to provide benefits for micro-entrepreneurs who wish to maintain or expand their businesses.
"It is hoped that support for financing access and banking transaction services will help micro-entrepreneurs continue to grow," she hoped.
Ariani’s story demonstrates that businesses started on a simple scale still have the opportunity to survive in the long term.
Amidst the ever-evolving competition in the culinary industry, consistency in maintaining quality, customer trust, and financial management are essential assets for MSME players.
The existence of small businesses like Ariani’s snack catering also illustrates the economic activity of the community at the district level. With appropriate financing access and the ability to adapt to technology, MSME players have the opportunity to maintain business continuity while expanding their market reach.
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