Young and brave! Aril’s business trip from cafe to fashion brand

When some children his age still adjusted to the rhythm of lectures, Arinal Haq Athoillah, one of the alumni of A Wahid Hasyim Tebuireng High School, who is now a student at Malang State University, is actually dealing with financial statements, stock of goods, to product design. Not because of the ambition that is in a hurry, but because life has brought him first with real challenges in the business world.

He was only 19 years old, when he first decided to build an independent business. At that time, he opened a small cafe in Malang. The capital comes from savings and small loans from the family. The main idea is simple: making a comfortable place with a strong young child concept. But in its implementation, everything becomes complex. He must learn to take care of licensing, compile menus, employ staff, even think of interesting interior design.

“I even had time to sleep in the cafe, because every day there were things that I had to clean up myself,” Aril said, remembering the early struggle. Not infrequently, he came home late at night just to make sure everything went smoothly. Dedication like this does not come from just a fad, he was born from the determination and a sense of deep responsibility.

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Ups and downs of the first cafe

He descended directly to all lines, from the beginning looking for strategic locations, renting shops, kitchens, cashiers, services, to marketing. In the first month, his business began to be known and crowded with visitors. However, the euphoria of the initial success did not last long. Problems begin to emerge from within. One of the stocking stocks made him run out of raw materials when it was crowded. Expenditures for indistinious promotions cause cash flow disturbed. Even the relationship between staff was tense due to an imbalance of workload.

“At that time I did not understand the system. All me handle Alone, and that is a trap too. I am exhausted and less able to delegate, “he said. The confidence that was originally a strength, turned into a burden when it was not balanced with a neat experience and work system.

Not only that, internal conflicts in management also influence the course of business. Aril, who was still groping the world of entrepreneurship, was forced to make a hard decision to close his cafe. This decision is not because of surrender, but as a form of self -reflection and evaluation. He withdrew for a moment, took time to learn more, rearrange goals, and develop new strategies.

Beyond that, the support of the family figure also made Aril stronger. As a parent, Mrs. Aril watched her child’s journey up close. “I was worried, especially when he looked stressed and exhausted. But I see this Aril is not easy to give up. He is the type that when it falls, definitely rises and is looking for ways. That’s what makes me believe he can,” said his mother. Support from the family is not just a matter of material, but rather the trust that Aril is able to learn and grow from every process.

After one year of managing a culinary business, Aril began to look at other sectors which according to him had greater potential among young people, namely fashion. His love for visual style and identity made him interested in building a brand of clothing.

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The birth of Majesté de éternelle is not only about selling clothes, but carrying a big message that is a classy, ​​firm, and full of character lifestyle. Aril created this brand with a unique segmentation. He divides its products into the caste system, a branding approach that combines exclusivity and social identity. For example, the highest label products are only released limited and have a distinctive design that is not resale.

“I want people who wear my brand to feel they have characters. Not just cool, but have an identity,” he said. He also inserted philosophy in every line of its products, inspired by elements of European culture, classical luxury, and young leadership values.

He handles his own marketing strategy, creating social media content, choosing fabric, to regulate the production process. One of the strengths of Majesté de éternelle is how this brand tells the story through each product. Not only selling t -shirts or hoodies, but selling grades and vision. Within a few months, this brand began to get the attention of among students, creative actors, to local celebrities. A positive response makes Aril even more enthusiastic to experiment with design styles and new types of products.

He even collaborated with several local content creators and attended the pop-up market on campuses. From there, he saw the potential for a bigger network. Direct interaction with consumers opens up his view that business is not only about buying and selling, but also about building a community. He also actively formed an ambassador team to expand his brand reach, without relying on conventional advertisements.

On the other hand, Aril still had to undergo his obligations as a student. He was listed as an active student in the first semester in the business and entrepreneurship department. The dense lecture and the piled up tasks do not make it back from the business. In fact, he made knowledge on campus as a direct test material in the field.

“The key is in time management. I always make a detailed daily schedule, and must be disciplined. Can not be careless,” he said. Even Aril has a personal record that he fills every morning and evening, containing a daily plan, evaluation, and self -reflection.

He divided his time carefully. In the morning he uses to study and work on assignments. Afternoon to evening he uses to take care of production or design content strategies. Night is used for evaluation and brainstorming with the team. Even in spare time, he chose to read market trends, study competitors, or develop new product ideas.

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Aril admitted that there were times when physical and mental fatigue came together. But he always tries to keep the spirit by resting enough and taking time for things he likes, such as listening to classical music, walking to the city park to calm the mind, or just sit on the balcony while sipping coffee. “I have to know myself. I know when to gas, when to brake,” he added.

Consistent job, not afraid to fail

According to Aril, busyness is not an obstacle if you know how to manage it. He did not hesitate to say “no” to unproductive invitations. For him, every minute is very valuable. Many campus friends were surprised by how he could remain present and active in class, without sacrificing business performance. Some of the lecturers even appreciate the way Aril applies knowledge in class directly to real businesses.

“I learned a lot from the culinary business. Now I am calmer, better prepared, and better understand the importance of the system. Not all I have to do it myself. The important thing is, has trust in the team and can arrange direction.”

In addition to lectures and business, Aril is also active in participating in entrepreneurship competitions and training. He was once a finalist in the national business plan competition. There, he not only learned to develop strategies, but also how to convey ideas to investors and business partners. He believes that the combination of campus theory and practice in the field is the key to the formation of true entrepreneurial characters.

In the future, Aril wants to build his company to become more professional. He has a vision to create a business system that can run even without him. He is compiling a long -term business blueprint that includes product expansion, strengthening creative teams, to the development of more interactive digital platforms. Not only that, he also plans to open the first offline outlet that combines the concept of fashion and experience store.

Not only that, Aril also aspires to build a business academy for young people in the area. He wants his ups and downs to be an inspiration for the next generation. He wants to attend not only as a perpetrator, but also as a facilitator of change.

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“I want to have a relaxed learning room but in. Where young people can discuss ideas, test strategies, and build networks. Because in my opinion, many have potential, but are confused from where.”

Lately, Aril began to repay new steps, developing Instagram and Tiktok channels. He believes that digital media is a bridge to reach more young people. Through light content such as “my first step” or “how to build a team in his 20s”, he tried to share experiences without patronizing. Even some of the content has begun to be glimpsed by the entrepreneurial community platform to be invited to collaborate.

“I’m still learning too. But if possible while inviting others to learn together, why not?” he said.

At the end of the conversation, Aril stressed that he did not want to just be known as a young businessman. He wants to be remembered as a consistent person, who dares to try, and not be afraid to fall. He knows very well that failure is not an enemy, but a study friend.

“I’m not looking for success quickly. I’m looking strong. I want to wake up something that can last a long time. And that takes a process.”

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With a burning spirit, a disciplined work system, and a clear vision, Aril has shown that youth is not a reason to delay dreams. It is precisely in the mud of the best time to fall, rise, and build a path to glory. Because of the truth, the future was built today with real work, courage, and willingness to continue learning.

Aril’s courage is not only about daring to open a business, but also about dare to fail, learn from mistakes, and still stand tall. In this fast changing world, perseverance and long -term vision like Aril’s become a rare value that should be appreciated. It is a real example that the combination of young enthusiasm and discipline can be the key to creating meaningful changes.

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Writer: Umdatul Khoiriyah, KPI Unhasy student.