Sipping a warm cup of coffee while taking in the view of Palembang City from the rooftop, with the Musi Bridge visible in the distance. Soft music plays in the background, accompanied by a gentle breeze. As dusk settles, the city lights begin to twinkle. This serene atmosphere can be experienced at a three-story coffee shop on Jalan Ratna, Palembang.Beskabean Coffee, nestled in a two-meter-wide uphill alley on the left side of Jalan Ratna, offers a cozy retreat. For just around IDR 20 thousand, you can savor a cup of coffee here.
From the outside, Beskabean Coffee appears quiet, with its folding gate and green door closed. But once inside, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee greets you. The interior is warmly lit with yellow lighting, and wooden accents dominate the space. Visitors gather around a long table, enjoying their coffee and lively conversation. Comic books and novels are neatly arranged on shelves, inviting guests to read.
Behind each cup of coffee at Beskabean is the story of Hendra Susanto, the 40-year-old owner. Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Hendra worked as a quality control officer for a foreign company from Thailand. However, a battle with pneumonia forced him to leave his job and change the course of his life.
With the severance pay he received after resigning, Hendra saw an opportunity to start a print media business with a friend. Unfortunately, he was betrayed.
"When I quit my job, I received severance pay worth hundreds of millions of rupiah. I invested it in a print media business, only to be deceived by my own friend, resulting in the loss of the money," said Hendra.
Hendra was devastated by the loss, but fortunately, his family never stopped supporting him. With just IDR880 thousand from his savings, he launched a bean juice business called Berka Sari Kacang, or Beska for short. This is where the name Beskabean originated. However, after a year, the business stagnated. “I knew I had to find another business with better prospects,” he said.
Through his connections with fellow Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in South Sumatra, Hendra met a coffee farmer from Semendo who gave him about 6 kilograms of coffee beans. This was the beginning of Beskabean Coffee.
To ensure the quality of the taste, Hendra personally roasted the coffee beans. Despite its premium quality, Beskabean Coffee was offered at a relatively affordable price. Over time, it gained recognition and became well-known within the community. The café's social media posts attracted many visitors, further boosting its popularity.
"I started by opening a coffee shop in the living room of my house in the Bina Warga area of Palembang, using simple tools. Surprisingly, it received a positive response from the community,” he said.
In 2020, Beskabean Coffee became a fostered partner of PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA). With a relentless drive to empower the community, PTBA's partnership program aims to support and grow MSMEs by providing business capital, training, and assistance with product promotion and marketing. This aligns with the government’s Asta Cita, particularly the third point, which focuses on enhancing quality employment and entrepreneurship.
The coaching assistance Hendra received from PTBA included internships and site visits to Aceh and Brastagi, where he learned about management, coffee cultivation techniques, and harvesting. Additionally, PTBA provided opportunities for Beskabean Coffee to participate in various exhibition activities, both in Palembang and beyond. One notable example was the Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), the largest export product exhibition in the country.
Thanks to PTBA's support, Beskabean Coffee has expanded its reach. Hendra shared that the café now has eight branches, five of which are in Palembang, and three in Jakarta. “We plan to open in Yogyakarta as well, so just wait,” Hendra said.
Beskabean Coffee’s sales have skyrocketed. From just 3 kg of coffee sold per month when it first opened, the business now sells over 500 kg per month. The total turnover of all eight branches reaches approximately IDR155 million per month, a remarkable leap from the initial capital of just IDR880 thousand.
"Now, our turnover has reached tens to hundreds of millions per month. From initially selling just 3 kg of coffee, we’re now selling over 500 kg,” said Hendra.
Hendra expressed his deep gratitude for the assistance and coaching he received from Bukit Asam. “PTBA’s support has been incredibly valuable to my coffee business. Alhamdulillah, Bukit Asam has helped me with everything from capital and promotion to expanding my knowledge of coffee. I’m truly thankful to Bukit Asam,” he said.
Hendra’s enthusiasm remains unwavering, driven by a big dream. Through his coffee shop business, he aims to elevate the profile of Indonesian coffee, particularly Semendo Coffee. He also wants to improve the welfare of coffee farmers in the region. “Coffee in Indonesia is unique. Unlike other coffee shops, we have a wide variety of distinct coffee types,” he said.
