Who says students can’t be successful entrepreneurs? Amanda Divanty, a management student at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UGM batch 2022, has proven that youth is not a barrier to business success. Her determination to keep trying and face challenges head-on has successfully enabled her to run six businesses in various fields.
The Beginning of Her Entrepreneurial Journey
Amanda started her first business, Porto Photo, during her third semester in 2023 with two classmates from the same program. Porto Photo (@portophoto.id) is a do-it-yourself photo studio and event photobooth service that offers high-quality photography at affordable prices. With an offline studio in Pogung, the success of this business paved the way for Amanda to expand into the food and beverage (F&B) industry.
Her next venture was Cherries Bites (@cheeries.bites), an online bakery offering brownies, chiffon cakes, and creamy sago. Amanda also launched Paspa (@paspa.yk), which sells noodles and zuppa soup from an offline store in Condongcatur, and Mentaikudimsum (@mentaikudimsum), a dim sum business focused on mental-style dim sum in the same area. In addition, Amanda received a grant to manage Milkymoo, a business offering milk-based drinks, ice cream, and egg waffles that will soon be operating in the FEB UGM cafeteria. Finally, she is preparing to open Pisang Saji, a banana-based snack shop, in front of the UNY gymnasium in late January 2025.
Having successfully launched six businesses at a young age, Amanda revealed that her entrepreneurial drive stems from childhood experiences watching her parents manage their F&B business. She experimented with selling stationery, slime, and frozen foods as early as elementary school. What started as casual attempts grew into a passion as Amanda found joy in spending her time creating productive results.
While she runs her businesses with partners, Amanda believes that having the right team is critical to success. “You can learn a lot from the right team. If I hadn’t met them, I might not have reached this point,” said the Class of 2022 student.
Resilience in the Face of Challenges
As an entrepreneur, Amanda often faces various business challenges, but she never gives up. She meets challenges head-on by doing her best and continuously learning. She balances her academic and entrepreneurial activities by relying on detailed to-do lists and prioritization.
In managing her businesses, Amanda also receives immense support from her family, close friends, and the academic environment at FEB UGM. She shared how her supportive peers at FEB UGM and their strong work ethic encourage her to take bold steps. Her courses have also contributed to her understanding of marketing and business operations.
“I used to think that entrepreneurship was just about making products and selling them, but after studying at FEB UGM, I’ve learned that there are many other aspects to consider, from human resource management and finance to marketing strategies that help build a recognizable brand,” explained Amanda.
In the future, Amanda plans to continue her entrepreneurial journey and grow her businesses. Despite the many challenges and uncertainties, she finds fulfillment in her work. Through her businesses, she also finds meaning in creating employment opportunities for others.
Tips for Starting a Business
So, how can students begin their entrepreneurial journey? Amanda advises students not to be afraid to try. The first step is to gather as much information as possible about the business you want to start. Then, adopt the mindset that you don’t have to be perfect at first but rather learn and improve over time. Most importantly, don’t get too hung up on other people’s opinions.
“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” she concluded.
Reportage: Najwah Ariella Puteri
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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