PANGKALPINANG -- Fragrance has long been a part of Dewi and her husband’s Saparuin daily lives. But long before they owned a perfume shop offering hundreds of fragrance options and generating tens of millions of rupiah in monthly revenue, they started their business from home with humble beginnings.
In 2018, curiosity and a keen eye for business opportunities inspired Dewi to enter the perfume industry. Together with her husband, she began selling perfumes to family, friends, and former colleagues at the company where they had previously worked.
It did not take long for their small home-based business to show promising growth. Encouraged by the progress, Dewi took the next step by opening a perfume shop with financial support from PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk.
“Our first shop was located near At-Taqwa Mosque on Depati Hamzah Street. Later, we moved to our current location because it offered more space,” Dewi recalled.
Today, Rizky Parfume, located on Depati Hamzah Street in Air Itam, Pangkalpinang City, has been operating successfully for eight years. In 2020, Dewi and her husband also expanded their business by opening a second branch in Pangkal Balam District.
Their journey reflects how a business born from curiosity can flourish through consistency and the right support.
When they first started, Dewi only carried around 40 to 50 fragrance variants. Today, that number has grown to approximately 200 fragrance options for customers to choose from.
“Back then, we only offered around 40 to 50 fragrance variants. Now we have about 200 different scents available,” she said.
For Dewi, business growth is measured by more than just a larger store or a wider product selection. She has also experienced significant improvements in the way she manages her business.
As a fostered MSME partner of PT TIMAH, Dewi has participated in various training programs and business management workshops. The knowledge she gained has become an essential foundation for gradually expanding Rizky Parfume.
“PT TIMAH has provided valuable training on how to manage and grow a business. These programs have been extremely beneficial in helping us improve our business,” she explained.
One of Rizky Parfume’s unique strengths is its custom fragrance blending service.
Dewi and her husband offer a wide selection of scents, ranging from famous designer-inspired fragrances and unique blends to the latest trending aromas. Customers can also request personalized fragrance blends based on their own preferences.
The perfume ingredients are sourced from trusted suppliers and carefully blended using techniques they learned through professional training. Rizky Parfume also prioritizes the use of high-quality ingredients.
“We purchase our perfume ingredients from suppliers, then blend them using the methods we learned from them,” Dewi explained.
According to her, one of the biggest challenges in the perfume business is recognizing and memorizing hundreds of different scents. Since every customer has unique preferences, understanding the characteristics of each fragrance is essential.
“We usually associate each fragrance with something familiar, such as fruits or flowers. That makes it much easier to remember,” she said.
Over time, Rizky Parfume has continued to grow. In addition to serving customers at its physical stores, Dewi has expanded her market through a reseller network and digital platforms.
Customers can place orders through WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. The business also offers promotions and discount coupons to encourage repeat purchases.
Rizky Parfume offers perfumes in a variety of bottle sizes, ranging from 7.5 milliliters to 100 milliliters. Prices vary from IDR 18,000 to IDR 400,000.
What began as a small home business now generates tens of millions of rupiah in monthly revenue—an increase of four times compared to its early years.
For Dewi, this achievement proves that small businesses can continue to grow through perseverance and a willingness to keep learning.
The guidance provided by PT TIMAH has also played a significant role in her entrepreneurial journey. Beyond financial assistance, the training and educational programs have broadened her knowledge and strengthened her ability to manage and develop the business.
“My hope is that PT TIMAH will continue to grow and keep supporting its fostered MSME partners through various training programs. I wish PT TIMAH continued success and prosperity,” she said.
Today, behind the countless fragrances displayed on the shelves of Rizky Parfume lies Dewi’s inspiring journey of building a business—from starting at home, opening her first store, to eventually expanding with a second branch.
Dewi’s story shows that helping MSMEs move to the next level is never an overnight process. It takes the courage to begin, the determination to keep learning, and the right support to help entrepreneurs go even further. (*)
