Togar Oktavianus (29 years old), also known as Togar, is an alumnus of the 2nd batch of barista coffee training organized by the Indonesian Inspiration Building Foundation (YIIM) together with PT. Pertamina Training and Consulting (PTC). This program is one of the flagship programs in the field of community empowerment which aims to make the community self-reliant and build new businesses by providing training.

Togar is a young man of Medan descent who was born in Jakarta. He graduated from the Tourism Sciences High School (SMIP) at Bina Darma DKI in 2010. Togar is the second child of three siblings. Currently, he lives with his mother, younger sibling, and his older sister’s family. His mother is a single parent. His parents have separated since he was in 6th grade of elementary school. To survive, his mother made do with the finances available. In the last four years, his mother has been selling gado-gado and pecel through GoFood. Togar’s and his siblings’ education costs were supported by his mother’s family.

Impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic

Before attending the training, in 2020 Togar worked as a barista at a CGV cinema. Togar worked to help his mother. This was the reason Togar continued to work. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, public facilities such as cinemas were closed to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Togar was affected, and he experienced a termination of employment (PHK).

Some time later, public facilities gradually reopened and Togar worked at a bubble tea shop in Taman Anggrek Mall. However, after three months, the mall closed again due to the emergency PPKM at that time, and Togar eventually stopped working there.

Togar first learned about the YIIM and PTC training from his aunt. His aunt knew that Togar was interested in being a barista at that time, such as mixing various types of drinks. When she learned about the training, his aunt offered for Togar to join the YIIM and PTC barista training. His aunt hoped that by joining this training, Togar could gain more knowledge about being a barista. He immediately registered himself because he did not want to waste that opportunity.

After attending the YIIM and PTC training, he gained many benefits. Togar felt that he gained a lot of new knowledge, such as coffee-making techniques, coffee-making equipment, and so on.

Building a New Business for Livelihood

After the training, Togar got the opportunity to receive business assistance provided by YIIM and PTC. This opportunity was very valuable for Togar to start a business. Togar began to seriously develop his business, starting from finding a rental place, designing the place, designing the business logo, to selecting the menu.

There were various obstacles faced by Togar while preparing his coffee shop. One of them was that he did not expect that some furniture such as chairs, tables, and so on would take a long time to arrive. He thought that if he bought a table, it could be immediately used or picked up. However, in reality, Togar had to wait for up to 7 days or even longer. In addition, it was difficult to find a work partner. Finally, Togar decided to run his business alone. He also had trouble finding additional capital, but eventually he gained the trust of his mother and his mother’s family by helping to add the initial capital to open the shop, plus Togar’s own savings.

After preparing his business for a long time, his coffee shop finally materialized and was opened under the name “Four Leaf Coffee” in January 2022. His coffee shop sells various menus ranging from coffee drinks, yakult drinks, mojitos, and premium drinks. Prices range from IDR 8,000 to IDR 18,000. Togar opens his shop from 11 AM to 9 PM.

The shop’s location is fairly strategic because it is located near offices and boarding houses, and he rented the place for IDR 35,000,000 for a year. He sells drinks using cups and also injection plastic cups for takeaway drinks. For shop supplies, Togar purchases them online.

His shop’s income increased gradually. 3 months after opening, Togar’s coffee shop generated a monthly revenue of IDR 3,000,000. He promotes it through Instagram and by placing a menu board in front of the shop. Togar also registered his coffee shop on GoFood and Grabfood.

This business has greatly helped Togar to support his mother. Togar hopes that in the future, the business he runs will remain consistent and gain recognition. He also wants to learn marketing to develop his coffee shop business.

For friends who want to try Togar’s coffee and non-coffee drinks, you can visit the “Four Leaf Coffee” shop at Jalan Pramuka No. 54, Cempaka Putih District, Rawasari Sub-district, in front of Genjing Park. You can also visit their Instagram at @four.leafcoffee.

Salam Inspirasi!