Jangan Merasa Nyaman Kelamaan
Kalau tujuan berbisnis untuk mencari kenyamanan hidup menjadi tujuan banyak orang, pasangan diaspora ini justru berbeda, lho!
Joe Firdaus dan Angelina Benedikta, pasangan asal Jakarta, yang sekarang bertempat tinggal di Sydney, menjalani berbagai rintangan hidup dan berbagai pekerjaan lainnya sebelum akhirnya menemukan panggilan mereka untuk memulai sebuah bisnis bersama.
Usaha mereka yang dikenal dengan nama Rate Money Marrickville adalah sebuah mortgage manager dalam industri keuangan.
Seiring dengan usaha mereka yang telah berdiri sejak 2021, Joe dan Angelina juga membesarkan dua putri dan menghabiskan waktu luang mereka dengan bermain golf, bersepeda, dan mengeksplor dunia mobil (bagi Joe) dan menonton dokumentari dan menikmati musik (bagi Angelina). Mari kita dengar cerita mereka!
Halo Kak Joe and Angelina, sebelumnya mungkin bisa ceritakan kapan pertama kali pindah ke Australia dan apa yang membuat Kakak ingin pindah ke Australia? Apakah sangat berbeda sekarang dibanding dengan ketika kalian baru datang ke Australia?
A: The reason we moved to Australia in 2010 was for business opportunity and its proximity to Indonesia. Sydney has changed significantly in the last 14 years especially in property, construction and infrastructure. Some areas have become densely populated, new roads are built, property prices have doubled, and new housing developments have gone further out of Sydney.
Biasanya sibuk apa sehari-hari? Bisa sharing sedikit tentang bisnis kalian? Ketika tidak lagi menjalani bisnis, kalian suka melakukan aktivitas apa saja?
J: Monday to Friday we are found in Rate Money Marrickville at 202/76A Edinburgh Rd (by appointment only) we provide tailor solution Finances in Residential, Commercial, SMSF and development especially in the Self employment Low Doc world. Outside work activities are golf, cycling, running and meeting up with friends and families.
Apakah punya keluarga di Australia?
A: We have 2 girls together also a few cousins who live in Sydney. Some of our friends have become our family too.
Sebelum kalian memulai bisnis sendiri, kalian sibuk apa?
J: Since moving to Autralia I have worked in Finance and Banking industry
A: My last employment was in Education sector
What’s your story of meeting each other? Apakah kalian selalu ingin mendirikan bisnis bersama?
J: We were introduced through a mutual friend approximately 25 years ago. Angelina was in high school and I was in my second year of University. I always have passion in doing business, but at the time I didn’t think it would be in Finance.
Bagaimana pengalaman kalian mendirikan sebuah bisnis di tengah-tengah masa COVID?
Apa inspirasi kalian untuk mendirikan bisnis ini (terutama dalam masa COVID dimana banyak orang sedang kesulitan mencari pekerjaan)?
J: There was an opportunity to be part of a great company i.e. Rate Money, I helped build from ground zero and the motto was helping self employed businesses or families to continue growing,
and investing. It was not easy with many uncertainties and hurdles during COVID times but great challenges come great experiences.
Selama menjalani bisnis ini, apa saja kesenangan dan kesulitan yang kalian alami?
A: This job is rewarding in a sense that we can help our customers to put roof over their head and for the investors, we have been helping them to grow their property portfolio and building their wealth. We have gone through so many obstacles since the start of our business such as pandemic and interest rate rises. Perseverance is the key to where we are now as well as being creative and positive.
Bagaimana kalian memelihara mental health di tengah-tengah keadaan ekonomi yang
sedang menurun dan keluar dari masa COVID?
J: Life and work balance is very important, working with the right people and setting the right attitude, adapt and keep growing as well as supporting your community.
What do you wish you had known sebelum menjalani bisnis sendiri?
J: We learn through times, my wish is to not repeat mistakes that people have made in the past.
Apakah kalian ada saran untuk orang Indonesia lainnya yang ingin mendirikan bisnis di Australia?
J: Find a great business mentor and business minded people as well as connecting with your local community and with Indonesian Business Council (IBC).
Apa tantangan paling besar yang kalian telah hadapi dalam menjalani bisnis ini?
Apakah ada saran bagi pendiri bisnis lainnya yang mungkin akan atau sedang menghadapi tantangan yang sama?
J: The biggest challenge is to feel comfortable and not breaking the next barrier or challenge, you have to treat your challenge as a learning curve.To be known in your community and be the one that your community remembers, we have a great Indonesian community with different backgrounds and purposes.
Bagaimana pengalaman kalian mencari komunitas di Australia? Apakah kalian kangen dengan komunitas di Indonesia? Dan seberapa banyak komunitas ini mengefek kesuksesan bisnis kalian?
J: Our community is usually from cycling, golfing, and our kids’s school environment which many are Indonesians. Through these communities, we hope we can spread the words out about our business and how we can help them.
Apa saran-saran kalian bagi orang Indonesia lainnya yang sedang mencari komunitas di Australia?
A: Look for any information about Indonesian communities available in your area such as via Indomedia. Once found, go out there, and make as many friends as you possibly can. Eventually you will end up with some good friends who will become your family. [IM]
