Business at Indonesia (Medan)

[PiLiPaLa]

Hi guys,

I am fresh graduate and I plan to start a business at Indonesia.

Basically the business that I plan to start is setting up a store and selling cookies. However, I am not good in making cookies but I can learn.

Thus I might need your help to give me some opinion what should I do first?


May I know where can I fine a professional people in baking cookies?

Basically, how much is the salary for them?

[MikeDirnt]

first of all do you understand the risks of making business at the location and the market demand?

[Strong Eagle]

Hey! Doing business in Indonesia (of any kind, including buying a house) is just like doing business in Singapore or Thailand... except of course, for the fact that the 'hustle' is still a prominent feature of Indonesia.

Where do you expect to open your shop? Indonesia is a big place... but you can be guaranteed that every part of the big place has small places controlled by the local mayor, police chief, other 'important dignitary' who will take an active interest in seeing you business succeed, assuming you can take an active interest in seeing the important dignitary compensated, otherwise, you may find it impossible to find space, permits, and customers.

Mike D has it right... do you have any idea of what you are getting into?

[RULDS]

First, you need to write down some numbers:

You need to estimate your costs:
Rent
Supplies
Equipment
Labor
Taxes

Then you need to figure what a person will pay for a cookie. Lets just say that you will sell 1 cookie for 1 dollar.

Assuming that you have NO COSTS, you need to sell 13.6 cookies an hour in a 10 hour a day, 7 days a week to make 50,000 a year. Then subtract all the estimated costs and you salary will be minimum if any.

What I am trying to get at is that you have to sell a butt-load of cookies to make a good profit. Rent/Equipment is a lot of money. I am not trying to discourage you but just realize what you will be facing but hey Famous Amos made it!

[workingtoohard]

before you thread into unknown waters, try experimentation with your business plans.. i have tried that with a few of mine and at the moment it shows i am not ready to go full force with what i have at hand...

what do I mean by experimentation? test out your product in familiar waters. Bake your own cookies at home, use mom's lovely free kitchen equipment, give out free to friends and relatives. Do they like it? Go on, now try to advertise or walk around your neighbourhood giving out samples and sell to them. Are you getting more successful? Are your cookies accepted in the general public?

If yes, I would think with the amount of testing you have done, you are prepared to start making and selling cookies. But it is the time you have to start looking into cost too as you make it official and purchase equipment.

and why indonesia? their taste buds work the same as ours =) unless you came from there and its your home then thats fine =)

[Winxkid]

Do consider your opportunity cost if You are planning to sell cakes over there.

Flours, poultry-products are on a higher cost globally. Bakery in most part of Indonesia are operated by small-time businesses and they can afford to sell their products at much lesser profit.

Under world economic ranking, Indonesia is in 129 position - taking consideration into corruption and Business transpancy). At this current business situation, These surf as a factor in choosing business : familiarity, ease of international trade, demand and supply, politic trend. In Medan, there's alotsa richies, but do plan how You are going to win the heart of these customers, especially since You are already in a old trade.

If I were You, I would rather consider doing it in Malaysia, Jakarta or Singapore in a new distribution method(business model), unless You have a unique concept.

Juz my opinion