The ladder to success can come from any door, including pursuing a hobby. In Indonesia, there are many entrepreneurs who have succeeded in business or reached the top position of a company not because of family inheritance, but because they pursue activities they like. 

Proven by their passion for cooking, brewing coffee, sewing clothes, listening to music, and exercising, many people are now independent business owners with billions of rupiah in turnover.

This great potential is often not realized. There's a saying, "If you find a job you love, you'll enjoy it and not feel like you're working."

This quote from writer Mark Twain emphasizes the importance of choosing a job that matches one's interests and passions: "When one truly enjoys what one does, the activity no longer feels like a burden, but rather an enjoyable part of life."

When one truly enjoys what one does, the activity no longer feels like a burden, but rather as a fun part of life.

This quote is often used as motivation in the world of work and in business, in line with the increasing awareness of the importance of work-life balance in the world of work. 

The SUAR team managed to interview two of them. Who are they?

Junas Miradiarsyah

The squeak of shoes clashing on the basketball court and the cheers of the crowd were unforgettable moments for Junas Miradiarsyah, 45.

The man who initially dribbled the ball at the professional level, now, sits in the top seat as President Director of the Basketball League or Indonesian Basketball League (IBL). 

To the SUAR team at the end of July, he told the story of how he got into basketball because he joined his older brother playing at school. 

"At that time I was still in elementary school, invited by my brother to practice at school and then continued to play. I like basketball because it's fun, there are many players and teams," he said, recalling his childhood days. 

His childhood hobby of playing basketball developed into his daily routine, and led him to join the Satria Muda club from Jakarta in early 1999. 

A few years later, he chose to retire young at the age of 22. He then pursued a professional path off the court by pursuing a career in the media, such as in magazines and radio. The 2018 Asian Games event paved the way for his return to basketball. 

"After the Asian Games, I was more convinced to explore sports from the management side and I was trusted to lead the IBL," Junas said. 

Satisfaction in itself

For Junas, basketball is not just a sport, it has become a philosophy in his life. 

As in sports competitions, he said managing the league is not an easy matter. 

"The league is the same as running a company whose main product is competition. In it there is a team, there are coaches, marketing, and finance who carry out their respective roles complementing, discipline, and the spirit of healthy competition. The product is a basketball match," he said. 

With his experience in basketball, he tries to make the game as exciting as possible. 

"Yes, the feeling of working in this field is happy, especially when this competition provides entertainment for the basketball-loving public. When we see people respond hysterically or make people proud of their favorite team, that's a special satisfaction for us," Junas said. 

According to him, passion can indeed be the fuel that makes someone more passionate about work. 

"Passion in work is important, but professionalism decides. Basketball has been a part of my life since childhood. And I'm grateful to keep the flame of that passion to enliven basketball in Indonesia," he said. 

"Passion in work is important, but professionalism decides," Junas said.

Hariyanto Arbi

Hariyanto Arbi's story is a reflection of how a love for badminton not only led him to the championship podium, but also fostered an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit. 

Starting from family, Hariyanto has been familiar with badminton since childhood. His siblings and parents were also athletes in their time.

The former badminton athlete nicknamed "Smash 100 Watt" is grateful that his hobby is now the foundation of his business. 

"Yes, a bonus from God, yes, so hobbies can be channeled, the work is also still around our hobbies, it's a bonus for me," he told SUAR, Thursday (21/8). 

He feels that working in accordance with his hobby makes him happier and doesn't feel like work. Even after retiring, he still regularly plays badminton at least twice a week.

Starting from the thought that Indonesia did not have a local badminton equipment brand - even though it is known as the world's badminton powerhouse - Junas together with three friends then established a badminton equipment business. 

Born under the Flypower brand, this badminton equipment business produces various equipment such as shoes, rackets and bags. 

Going global

Hariyanto said that establishing a business since 2002 was not without obstacles. Moreover, the Flypower brand must compete with other world brands. 

"In the beginning, it was not easy when we started Flypower. The competition is also from foreign brands that have been around for a long time, right, our capital is also limited," he said.

"But at that time I believed that local products can compete if we have quality, yes," she said confidently. 

"At that time, I believed that local products can compete if we have quality," Hariyanto said.

Hariyanto is now proving that local products can compete with more affordable prices and maintain quality. Now, his brand continues to innovate and now his products are growing and complete, ranging from clothing, rackets, to shuttlecocks.

Over two decades of existence, the brand has continued to expand beyond sports equipment to include providing and installing badminton courts. 

To date, a total of around 5,000 courts have been installed. Not stopping there, the business is now starting to follow the trend by providing equipment for padel sports, showing their adaptation to the market. Although not yet on a wide scale, Hariyanto said that he is currently limited to making padel courts.

Thanks to the focus on trust in maintaining guaranteed quality, it is now not only known in Indonesia but has also penetrated the international market. 

"There are a lot of sales in Vietnam, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea. In Europe, we have started, and in Iran, we are also here," he said in a phone interview.

The key to 20 years of survival 

Hariyanto also explained that his brand uses a strong marketing strategy to remain in the market to penetrate the world market. 

• One of them is by establishing sponsorship cooperation with several world-class badminton players, such as players from Denmark. 
• Actively collaborating with badminton clubs and communities in Indonesia and sponsoring various national matches to keep the brand widely recognized. 
• Business development demands fresh new ideas, such as expanding into padel sports.
• Building a solid team is crucial because a business cannot run alone. Cohesiveness and mutual support within the team is very important to achieve common goals.

"Yes, don't be complacent, continue to innovate, build a solid team, yes. Because we also can't do it alone, right, there must be a really solid team, supporting each other, yes," said Hariyanto.

In addition, Hariyanto wants to contribute to Indonesian badminton. He wants his products to help young athletes achieve achievements. He believes that business sustainability is not only about profit, but also social mission.

Hariyanto wants to contribute to Indonesian badminton. He wants his products to help young athletes make achievements. He believes that business sustainability is not only about profit, but also social mission.

"Then we also have a social mission besides profit, yes, we help several clubs," he said.

By helping small clubs and young athletes, the goal is not only to build brand loyalty, but also to contribute positively to the development of Indonesian badminton.

Hariyanto Arbi's story illustrates that passion can be a major asset to success. With hard work, innovation and a belief in quality, he not only built a brand, but also became a pioneer who inspired many.

His business is not just another brand, but a symbol of struggle and pride in the work of the nation's children.