Lessons from the Owner of PO Haryanto: From Selling Ice Cream on the Streets to Owning a Fleet of 300 Buses

Muslims believe in the concept of takdir muallaq, a destiny decreed by Allah SWT that can still be altered through human effort and endeavor. This seems to be what happened to the owner of PO Haryanto, H. Haryanto.

From selling ice cream on the streets as a child, he has now become one of the owners of one of the largest bus companies in Indonesia, Haryanto.

For those of you who frequently travel by bus, you are likely already familiar with the name. This is because PO Haryanto's routes are extensive, covering areas from Jakarta to Sumenep, located on Madura Island, East Java.

Here is the inspiring story of Haryanto, from a humble ice cream street vendor to a successful bus company owner.

Selling Ice Cream on the Streets Since Elementary School

Haryanto's entrepreneurial spirit seemed to emerge from a young age, although his efforts were also driven by the need to help his financially struggling parents.

Since his elementary school days, he was already selling ice cream on the streets. Wearing only a torn shirt and no sandals, young Haryanto worked hard to support his family. Even though the ice cream he sold sometimes didn't sell out, he admitted that he never complained.

As he entered his teenage years, Haryanto continued to seek additional income. At that time, he also worked as a laborer in a cigarette factory in Kudus, Central Java, while applying for jobs at various companies. However, since no company accepted him, he eventually decided to work as a construction laborer.

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From Soldier to Driver: A Change in Fate

Armed with his Technical School (ST) diploma, Haryanto aspired to become a soldier, hoping that this profession could change his fate. He then decided to move from Kudus to enlist in the military.

In 1979, he was accepted as a member of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and was stationed at Arhanudri 1/Kostrad in Tangerang. Feeling that his soldier's salary was still insufficient, the ever-enthusiastic and determined Haryanto took on a second job as a night transport driver.

Unexpectedly, it was this profession that eventually led him to become the owner of one of the largest bus companies in Indonesia today.

Daring to Start a Bus Company with Only 5 Buses

Starting from his experience as a night transport driver, the man born in 1959 began to develop an interest in the transportation sector. In 2002, he boldly established a bus company named after himself, PO Haryanto.

Beginning with just five buses in poor condition, Haryanto started his business amidst numerous challenges and trials. He initially opened a route from Cikarang to Tangerang, but unfortunately, the route failed and attracted few passengers.

He then decided to open a longer route, from his hometown of Kudus to Jakarta. Unexpectedly, this route began to gain popularity, and his bus company gradually grew rapidly.

Haryanto then decided to retire from the military and focus on developing his bus company. However, challenges came his way once again. In 2007, PO Haryanto was hit by the economic crisis and rising fuel prices, leaving him with a debt of Rp17 billion.

But it wouldn't be Haryanto if he didn't keep fighting and striving. He prayed to Allah SWT, asking for the opportunity to be given five years to repay his debt. Surprisingly, he managed to clear the Rp17 billion debt in just three years.

Today, PO Haryanto operates more than 300 buses, serving 13 routes from Jakarta to Sumenep.

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Lessons to Learn from Haryanto

Perseverance, hard work, and a strong belief in his principles have been the keys to Haryanto's success in overcoming challenges. From elementary school to the present, he has never known the meaning of giving up.

Additionally, Haryanto is willing to take risks and adapt to change. He is not afraid to try different types of jobs as long as they lead him toward success.

However, the most important lesson from Haryanto is to believe in the power of prayer and effort when facing difficulties.

"Success does not come without trials and challenges. Allah says, 'Whoever puts their trust in Me, no matter how difficult their affairs, I will take care of them.' These words have given me confidence and the strength to keep striving," he said.

As an entrepreneur, you can learn a lot from Haryanto’s success story. The key takeaway is to never give up, always put in the effort, and pray.

If you need help managing your business, there are now many applications that can assist you, such as Labamu.

With Labamu, you can manage inventory, boost sales, and organize your business finances more effectively. It offers advanced features to help your business grow and develop—perhaps even reaching the level of PO Haryanto.

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