Natural wellness brand Al-Mubarokah Herbal is one of the many micro, small and medium enterprises that form the backbone of Indonesia’s economy. These MSMEs contribute close to 60% of the country’s gross domestic product and provide employment for 97% of the total workforce. To celebrate Indonesia’s National MSME Day on August 12, Lazada invited Al-Mubarokah Herbal’s founder, Ika Puspa Sari, to share her tried-and-true tips of how to succeed as a business owner.
The Depok-based entrepreneur emphasized the importance of building trust with customers. To do this, business owners should ensure they have all the required official permits and legal documentation, including a Business Identification Number issued by the government, she said.
Ika also said that obtaining the relevant product certifications could help bolster shoppers’ trust in a brand. “Prioritize certifying your products, because product certification can actually open up consumer confidence in your products,” she said. In fact, her store even recently received a Lazada Sustainability Academy Award in recognition of its commitment to providing safe, all-natural products with certifications such as the distribution permit from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency as well as the Halal certification issued by the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Body.
For sellers looking to scale their businesses, Ika reminded them to register for intellectual property rights protection for their brands and products. Sellers should also leverage the right marketing strategies to grow their presence and reach a wider consumer base.
Last but not least, business owners must have the mindset to “seize all opportunities,” Ika said. She shared that she closely monitors the government’s social media accounts to keep abreast of the latest training information, networking events and documentation requirements for MSMEs. This proactive attitude is a crucial ingredient for success, Ika said, adding, “Business owners must have a strong mindset to continue to look for and take advantage of any opportunities.”
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