Success In Expansion, MSMEs In Binjai Are Now A Supplier Of SOEs Via PaDi

JAKARTA - Since joining PaDi UMKM in 2022, Rowtea's business has experienced a significant transformation.

Dewi Suraya's Rowtea business, originally in the form of small outlets of food and drinks operating at the Binjai Railway Station.

Dewi started her business by selling food and drinks at the Binjai Railway Station.

The buyers are mostly visitors who come and go, while their regular customers are workers at the station who often come during break hours or coffee break.

This is then the starting point for him to seize greater chances.

Dewi heard information from station employees that PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Binjai needed logistics for office needs. This opportunity sparked new ideas in Dewi's mind.

On the advice of a friend, he began studying the MSME Digital Market (PaDi), a platform that connects small business actors with SOEs.

At first I opened a outlet and only sold snacks and drinks at the station. However, my friend suggested that I try PaDi. After finding out and learning, it was not difficult to understand. I also started to create an account at the B2B marketplace PaDi and began to increase the types of products sold," recalled Dewi.

Luck also sided with him. PT Kereta Api, which has become a customer at his outlet, is apparently one of the main buyers at PaDi.

Seeing the potential needs of buyers who are SOEs and companies and larger transactions at PaDi, he decided to expand his business by selling various office needs, such as sugar, coffee, floor cleaners, tissue, and hand washing soap. Slowly, workers in his place are growing.

It didn't take long for Dewi's business to get attention. Over time, orders began to flow from other SOEs such as Bank Mandiri and Telkom. His business is not only known in Binjai, but also attracts buyers from other areas such as Rantauprapat, Padang, to Jakarta.

Its success in selling these daily products not only brings benefits, but also helps create a more transparent relationship between small business actors and SOEs.

According to Dewi, one of the advantages of selling at PaDi is its healthy competition.

Prices between sellers are easy to compare to buyers, thus creating price transparency. When the audit is conducted, transaction evidence is easily accessible, in accordance with good governance principles.

Dewi also emphasized the importance of openness in business. He had experienced difficult times when he had to close one of his outlets due to internal problems with employees. This experience teaches him how important openness and honesty are, especially on a larger business scale.

He also pays close attention to the quality of the products he sells. He realized that providing quality goods for the office not only helps smooth operations, but also creates a comfortable working atmosphere.

"We always choose goods carefully so that buyers are satisfied, because comfort in the workplace can support productivity," he said.

Now, Dewi is increasingly optimistic about the future of her business in the digital market. Even though she still maintains her physical shop, online sales through PaDi have become the backbone of her business.

During one year joining PaDi, Dewi managed to record an increase in turnover of up to 4,000 percent compared to before, which only relied on offline stores.

He also admitted that the convenience of shopping in the digital market made him more confident in the huge potential that could still be explored.

"Now everything is easy. I myself am lazy to go to the market to buy soap and other necessities, more practical to buy online. PaDi MSMEs are very helpful in marketing our products, and this has improved our family's economy. We hope to continue to develop and collaborate with more SOEs in the future," concluded Dewi.