“Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry,” remarked Bill Drayton, highlighting the true core of social entrepreneurship.

This spirit was vividly reflected on July 9, 2021, when Syaifulloh (34), an alumnus of the barber training program of Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM), organized an online barber training session for the general public. The workshop was designed to foster optimism and resilience amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, while opening pathways for participants to establish independent barber businesses to support family economies impacted by the health crisis.

The initiative was Syaifulloh’s contribution as a graduate of the entrepreneurship training empowered by YIIM and supported by PT Insight Investments Management (INSIGHT). Through this free session, he shared his practical skills, industry knowledge, and personal experience with the community, particularly during challenging economic conditions. This effort directly embodied the social enterprise principle of sharing benefits and cultivating changemakers to empower competitive grassroots micro-entrepreneurs.

Syaifulloh’s inspiring journey and profile can be explored via the following link: http://legacy.yiim.or.id/yiim-dan-insight-wujudkan-mimpi-mantan-tukang-ojeg-membuka-usaha-barbershop-hingga-menjadi-pelatih-barber/.

Syaifulloh graduated from the Barber Class in 2018 and subsequently completed comprehensive apprenticeship and incubation stages at YIIM’s Barber Inspirasi. He then initiated a mobile haircutting service through the digital application D’Kapster. Thanks to his relentless dedication, he secured national professional certification from the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP) in 2019 and was subsequently appointed as an instructor in YIIM and PT Insight Investments Management’s Barber Class training in 2020.

The virtual training was hosted live via Zoom from his barbershop, Maxximal Barbershop, located on Jalan Asmin, Ciracas Urban Village, East Jakarta. A total of 20 participants joined the session, representing various backgrounds including students, jobseekers, homemakers, and community members facing economic hardships caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The session was officially opened by the representative of PT Insight Investments Management, Mr. Suluh Tripambudi Rahardjo. In his opening remarks, he stated: “We hope this online training led by YIIM and PT Insight alumnus, Brother Syaiful, provides meaningful benefits and spreads inspiration to the wider public. Especially amidst the rising challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia, empowering initiatives like this are vital. Once again, congratulations to Brother Syaiful and YIIM. Continue observing health protocols and creating positive social impact across the nation.”

The two-hour training ran from 14:00 to 16:00 WIB. Syaifulloh commenced the session by introducing professional barbering tools and equipment before moving on to practical haircutting demonstrations focusing on the undercut technique. Participants were highly engaged, raising practical questions on cutting techniques, precision, and styling.

One participant, Ahlul Nazar, inquired about methods for blending and softening hair transition lines using a comb. Another participant, Dwieky, asked about differences in cutting patterns between men’s and women’s hair, as well as foundational strategies for beginners looking to establish an independent barbershop venture.

As a non-profit foundation committed to community empowerment through social entrepreneurship, Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun hopes this virtual training serves as a tangible step toward realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1: No Poverty and Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

YIIM and PT Insight Investments Management hope that similar initiatives will continue to be initiated by entrepreneurship alumni as their ongoing contribution to delivering lasting social impact and spreading benefits to the public, especially vulnerable communities heavily impacted by Covid-19.

Salam Inspirasi!