BANGKA -- A home-based pastry business owned by Serli Heryani continues to show significant growth. Starting from simple production, her business has now increased its production capacity and expanded its market reach after becoming a fostered partner of PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk.
This business growth is inseparable from PT TIMAH’s support through the Micro and Small Business Funding Program (PUMK), which includes financial assistance, training, and business mentoring.
Serli began her pastry business in 2017 under the brand Mama Naya Bolen, before officially joining as a PT TIMAH fostered partner in 2024. From a modest home kitchen located in Sungailiat, Bangka Regency, she runs her business with dedication and perseverance.
As the business continues to grow, her products are no longer limited to bolen. She has expanded into various types of cakes, including brownies, sponge cakes, lapis legit, and cookies.
Bolen remains the flagship product, available in various flavors such as cheese, chocolate, green tea, strawberry, and tiramisu. Chocolate and chocolate cheese are the customers’ favorites. Currently, Serli is able to produce up to 20 boxes of bolen per day, with demand increasing significantly, especially ahead of major holidays.
Meanwhile, her brownie variants include original, fudgy brownies, and cheese brownies, with topping options such as tiramisu, cappuccino, and dark chocolate. She also offers matcha sponge cake, fermented cassava cake, and pandan cake, as well as cookies like cheese sago, palm cheese, powdered sugar cookies, and thumbprint cookies.
This increase in production is supported by additional business equipment such as an oven and a display showcase, funded through the PUMK loan program. With more adequate facilities, production capacity has improved and directly contributed to increased sales.
“Thank God, since becoming a fostered partner, my business has grown significantly. Sales have increased, and this year’s holiday season was much better compared to previous years,” said Serli.
Beyond financial support, Serli has also benefited from the training provided by PT TIMAH, particularly in financial management. This has helped her better manage cash flow and plan her business development more effectively.
In running her business, Serli remains committed to maintaining product quality by ensuring hygienic production processes and consistent taste. This strategy has become key to retaining customers amid increasing competition.
In addition to direct sales, marketing is also carried out through social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, as well as orders via WhatsApp. She has also developed a reseller system in several areas including Pangkalpinang, Jebus, and Batam to expand her market reach.
Looking ahead, Serli hopes that PT TIMAH will continue to provide support, both in terms of funding and promotion, so that her business can reach a wider market.
“I am very grateful to PT TIMAH for helping grow my business. Without this program, my business might not have developed as it has today,” she said.
She also encourages fellow MSME players to stay motivated, remain consistent, and maintain product quality in order to sustain and grow their businesses. (*)
