Pressure is an inseparable part of life. It comes in many forms, from work, responsibilities, to inner struggles against ego and laziness. However, pressure is not an enemy. On the contrary, it can be a driving force toward becoming better. Mijan Nurha, the inspiring figure behind the success of Sotong Janet, is proof that perseverance in fighting pressure and one’s own weaknesses can lead to happiness.
Starting from a life journey full of pressure, Mijan, who used to work as an F&B staff at a company in Tangerang, decided to take a big step by starting his own business. The life pressure he felt turned into energy to improve. Through hard work, self-evaluation, and relentless innovation, Mijan managed to make Sotong Janet one of the culinary businesses that inspires many people.
Mijan admitted that he chose to build his own business because he wanted to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet. “I ventured into this business because the Prophet Muhammad also used to trade,” he said with a tone full of conviction.
The name “Janet” itself has a special meaning. Mijan explained that it is a combination of his name and his wife’s, Neti. Previously, the business was called Mekar Saluyu, named by his parents. However, the name change to Janet feels more personal and meaningful.
When asked about the challenges of establishing Sotong Janet, Mijan said that the biggest challenge came not from competitors or market competition, but from within himself. He confessed that he had to fight against his ego and laziness, which sometimes came over him.
However, he managed to overcome these challenges by regularly evaluating himself. He always learned from his own mistakes and then tried to improve.
Moreover, Mijan never stopped learning and innovating. Every day, he conducted research, followed market trends, and absorbed knowledge from various parties, including flour vendors like PT Manunggal Perkasa, who often held valuable training sessions.
Mijan said that, thanks to the training from PT Manunggal Perkasa, he understood the importance of choosing high-quality raw materials, such as Dahlia wheat flour, which has now become his go-to ingredient for making squid products favored by many of his customers.
He also continued to develop marketing strategies to reach more buyers. Besides using online platforms, Mijan relied on the power of word-of-mouth promotion. He believes that recommendations from satisfied customers can be highly effective.
Thanks to his hard work, Mijan admitted that he is very grateful for what he has achieved today. With a heartfelt tone, he shared that the most memorable moment of Sotong Janet’s success was when he and his wife were able to go for Umrah every year. “It all started with words. Words are prayers,” he said with a smile.
Concluding our conversation, Mijan shared three key things for anyone who wants to start a business: skill, capital, and time. He placed skill as the most important because, according to him, it’s the key. If someone has the skill, they will succeed in their business, no matter what challenges they face.