CENTRAL BANGKA - Joko Sumarno (45) is considered successful in developing a welding workshop business. Though the business he is in started with an accidental idea when he saw his father's unused welding equipment at home.
Joko said that he started this welding workshop business eight years ago. He, who at that time had a sedentary job, thought of using his father's welding equipment.
“Initially, I didn't have a steady job, incidentally at home there was a welding machine belonging to my parents that was never used. Then the thought crossed to open a welding workshop business," he said.
Having no experience in welding knowledge did not necessarily make Joko give up. About two weeks a month Joko was self-taught, visiting his friend's welding workshop to learn about welding techniques.
Every time he gets something new, he practices it at home using his father's welding equipment. His efforts also bore fruit, day by day his proficiency in welding increased and finally he ventured to open a welding workshop in the village of Menyak, District of Koba, District of Central Bangka.
“Initially I used to visit my friend's workshop, to see how he wielded. Sometimes they also ask about welding methods or techniques. Almost every day I try to practice at home. I have been doing things like this for about half a month, without thinking twice, I immediately opened my own workshop," said Joko.
Since then, Joko has experienced the ups and downs of running a business. With the ups and downs he went through and thanks to a capital loan from PT Timah Tbk, his business is now increasingly known to the wider community.
"Alhamdulillah, I have been in this business for eight years. Over the past eight years, there have been many twists and turns, the most common of which has been the price of raw materials, which often went up and down, not to mention when the goods were empty. That price could soar," he said.
He has even been able to have employees assist him in working on consumer orders.
"Meanwhile, orders are like seasonally, when the price of tin is good, many come to the workshop. Because the majority of my customers are miners. But if the price of tin is lower, automatically our business will also be quiet," he said.
According to Joko, becoming PT Timah Tbk's Foster Partner can also help develop his business. He felt many benefits.
"Alhamdulillah, since becoming PT Timah's fostered partner, I really feel helped. We are given motivation and given guidance to be able to manage our business," he said.
Thanks to a capital loan from PT Timah Tbk's Micro Small Enterprises Funding Program (PUMK), he was able to develop a welding workshop business as well as add new businesses, namely oil palm plantations and buying and selling palm seeds.
"The point is that PT Timah is extraordinary, thanks to the loan from PT Timah I can finally expand my business and add new businesses, namely to oil palm plantations and selling oil palm seeds," he said. (*)
