Ageng Patmoko (50 years old), affectionately known as Pak Ageng, is an inspiring graduate of the 2018 Barber Training program organized by Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM) in collaboration with PT Insight Investments Management (INSIGHT). This vocational entrepreneurship initiative represents an integral component of community economic empowerment designed to improve livelihoods for underprivileged families, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger).

Pak Ageng currently lives with his wife and three daughters in North Petukangan, South Jakarta. Through his barbering enterprise, Pak Ageng serves as the sole breadwinner, while his wife devotes herself to raising their children and managing the home. This path to self-reliance emerged after enduring severe hardship in 2016, when he was laid off by a prominent taxi company in Jakarta where he had worked for years. Faced with sudden unemployment, he tirelessly explored various livelihoods—from itinerant peddling to running an ice cream stall at CBD Ciledug through relentless ups and downs.

His wife also assisted family finances by selling medicines alongside her sibling. A turning point arrived in 2018 when Pak Ageng received news about the free barbershop vocational training organized by YIIM and PT INSIGHT. “I first heard about it from a former coworker. When he shared the news of a professional haircutting training program, I immediately decided to join,” Pak Ageng recalled with deep gratitude.

Upon completing the training curriculum, Pak Ageng entered an intensive two-year apprenticeship program at a partner barbershop established by YIIM for its vocational trainees. During this apprenticeship, he honed modern styling techniques, precision scissor work, and professional customer service. Recognizing his exceptional discipline, YIIM and INSIGHT awarded him a seed capital grant comprising a complete set of professional haircutting tools to launch his independent business. With these tools, Pak Ageng proudly opened his own shop, “Pangkas Rambut Optima 73,” located in Larangan District, Tangerang City.

At his salon, Pak Ageng provides a comprehensive range of grooming services, including beard trims, haircuts, and hair coloring, with accessible pricing ranging from IDR 5,000 to IDR 50,000. He serves an average of 7 to 8 clients daily, generating a steady average net income of around IDR 2,000,000 per month. “Alhamdulillah, after nearly three years of operating my own shop, my daily earnings are sufficient to support my family’s everyday needs,” Pak Ageng shared.

Pak Ageng expresses profound gratitude for the vocational skills and business tools provided by YIIM and INSIGHT. His family’s transformation became even more meaningful when his eldest daughter was awarded an Inspiration Scholarship from YIIM and INSIGHT, enabling her to pursue higher education at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional (UPN) Veteran Jakarta.

“I extend my deepest thanks to YIIM and PT INSIGHT for helping so many communities and individuals—transforming people who previously had no vocational skills into capable business owners. May YIIM and PT INSIGHT always be blessed to continue empowering those in need of productive work skills,” Pak Ageng remarked. Customers wishing to visit Pak Ageng’s barbershop can find Pangkas Rambut Optima 73 on Jalan Inpres Raya, RT 01/RW 05, North Larangan, Larangan District, Tangerang City.

Salam Inspirasi!