Talk anything

In the end, we took turns telling each other's experiences. The world of work makes us learn many things, including the joys of grief. Where we have to hold ourselves and defend to do all sorts of things we don't like.

"Sometimes you have to put up with customers who have a high taste. It's hard to understand what they want," Victor said. His work association preferences are different from mine, so he has his own unique story. Broadly speaking, I know what he means.

"Is it because of a different standard?" I tried to clarify the point of view.

"That's also one factor. However, other factors are more often encountered, not about standards, but knowledge. For example, one day there is a customer who does not understand that what that customer wants is a limited edition bag that must be ordered with a special method. That customer went to the office and was angry at the staff. Accusing the staff of cheating."

I can't imagine how chaotic it was.

"Rich people are unique. Some come, want goods but do not equip themselves with knowledge first. Like this person, that customer thought the item wanted was an item that was available in the store. Unfortunately not. That item, at that time, was a limited edition that if you wanted to have to order first through the platform that has been provided. The customer must pay a down payment in advance so that the goods are produced in the customer's name, produced specifically for that customer, then the goods will be sent to the customer's home address if that customer has paid the payment of the goods or installments with the approved system. Funnily enough, the customer didn't know but was stubborn."

Victor shakes his head. I laughed. I can imagine a little bit of what the situation is like.

"Not only that, that customer also complains on social media."

"In that case, you guys are subject to netizen criticism?" I don't follow the daily trend on social media. So I didn't know that this case had gone viral.

Victor shook his head.

"No. That person who gets criticized for not knowing the set booking system. Netizens know better than that customer does. In the end, netizens dubbed that customer a new rich but stupid person."

I was stunned, reflecting on the story. Wealth does not necessarily make us more dignified or smarter. Wealth that is not coupled with knowledge and wisdom can make us fools.

"The customer probably thought having money to buy cash is enough then get it," I said. I don't know why I feel sorry for people like this. Why can't they use wealth to be wiser?

"I suspect so too. This is the weak side of people who suddenly become rich. The customer is a celeb-gram. Because of the incident, I noticed that person a little, reading articles that wrote down the past about that person. In essence, that person used to have financial problems. That person managed to attract attention on social media, followers increased, and finally got an endorsement from there. Then, get rich from endorsements."

"Getting paid to be a celeb-gram is quite good, especially if lucky to be a brand ambassador of a famous brand," I said, unknowingly interrupting Victor's words.

Victor nodded in agreement.

"Oh yes, doesn't your Instagram have a lot of followers? hundreds of thousands. Doesn't anyone want to recruit you? Make you a brand ambassador," I asked jokingly.

Victor, who was about to sip his coffee suddenly stopped. He put his coffee cup back. Something suddenly appeared in his memory. My words are the trigger.

"I was once offered the cover of a jewelry magazine. Exclusive. The magazine will be distributed to their VIP customers, but I declined the offer."

I don't understand why he turned down the offer.

"Isn't that a good opportunity for social climbing and to become famous?" I exclaimed in astonishment.

"Indeed. I refused because my employment contract prohibited side work with other companies. The jewelry company was not a rival to my company because of a different target market, but the company set that policy so that there was no dualism. They pay more than enough."

"Oh, I see. It's true, it seems that you are very guaranteed, even able to open your café now."

Victor smiled. Pride cannot be hidden.

"This is the result of saving for ten years. I wanted to use it to build a house, but I put it off."

"I'm proud to have a friend like you. I think your girlfriend is proud of you too," I said, deliberately saying it to ascertain whether he already had a girlfriend or not. Although I don't know for sure, why I want to make sure of that.

Victor sipped his coffee, slowly. He put down his glass calmly while saying, "Unfortunately I don't have a girlfriend right now."

Looks like I heard fireworks erupting in the sky. The colorful fireworks made the dark sky so beautiful, creating warmth among the cold wind gusts. There was a change in atmosphere that warmed the city. Hope is also bright.

"Oh, sorry, I guess you have," I said. I don't know if my face can hide the hope that lights up in my heart. Hope that I can have it. This thought suddenly took hold of me.

"No problem. Naturally, we need someone who can be our companions. I just haven't found that person yet. I used to be close to a coworker, but dating in one office was uncomfortable for me. I realized I wasn't fit to date a co-worker myself. So, we decided to go back to being co-workers. Once with someone who was just starting a career as a model, in the end, I broke up with her because of her lifestyle that didn't suit me. After thinking about it again, I better not date first until I know what kind of female criteria is right for me. So, I just focused on working, developing myself, until one day I was interested in managing the café business. That interest made me study the café business, learn about coffee, and also coffee enthusiasts in Indonesia. I also studied which areas are roughly suitable for this business."

"How's the story until you choose Jogja?" I asked as Victor took a brief pause.

"Because it was that observation that gave me the answer. I not only observe external factors but also observe myself. I'm trying to figure out what kind of business suits me."

Victor then explains how he went through the process of contemplation and studied the market. Living in Jakarta gives him one advantage when it comes to learning about business. The fast-paced city gave him an idea of what would happen to him if he opened a café there. Then, he decided to observe the city of Surabaya. The city is not much different from Jakarta. Victor found no match in either city, then went to observe Jogja.

"I got the atmosphere I wanted here. A city that is not too busy, but also not too quiet. I know my target market here won't be as much as in Jakarta, but this city gives me the feel I want, so I chose this place and accepted my friend's offer."

The point is the offer of land and empty houses that he can turn into a café like his dream. Hearing the story was like reading a novel. The story also feels like a Korean drama, where the main character struggles to realize his dream. It's a heroic story in which the main character doesn't have to fight the villains or destroyers of the world, like the Avengers. He is just simply fighting against his laziness. I was inspired by him. His positive energy bounced off me. I'm getting more and more like interacting with him.

"From that day on, I focused on making it happen," Victor said, then there was a long pause. I'm waiting for him to say other words. "I'm guessing one day you'll show up at my café. My guess is correct."

I didn't expect him to say that. My hopes are soaring. My mind hesitated, wondering, was he waiting for me, or was it just nonsense?

"I definitely will go there, because that place will be on my radar! why? Because it's suitable for work," I said. I'd love to break my hopes.

"That's the goal. I want people like you to spend a lot of money there!" exclaimed Victor.

I laughed out loud. "Fuck!"

Victor prodded his shoulders and said, "I built it not to be a playground."

I chuckled. "If you don't return the capital you can go bankrupt!"

"Then I had nothing and I went back to being an employee. I don't want that to happen!"

Everyone who starts a business must have hope to see their business grow and become a promising source of income to the point that the account cannot accommodate the amount of money that comes in.

"Mut, You don't want to start a business?"

"Me?" surprised.

Victor's waiting for me to answer if I have any desire to start a company?

"What business, huh? I can't do business. So far I have only been able to provide services. I think being a freelancer and working on all my orders from clients has made me a solo-preneur," I said, a little uncomfortable with my words.

"Ah, right. You are the CEO as well as an employee for your own business, ``Victor reviewed. "But I think you can develop it into a company. Let's say you gather other freelancers to work with you. You focus on getting orders, other freelancers are working on them. You just check their work and share the results with them. Why don't you try to develop it like that?"

I'm sitting up straight. The advice sounds fun. I'm interested.

"I've thought about it. Now, I do have some clients, it occurred to me to have staff, but I hesitated to start something like that. Because it has a big responsibility. I have to make sure that the freelancers under my umbrella are qualified freelancers. I have to protect them so they can produce quality products. It feels like that complicated lifestyle doesn't suit me." Pause. My tongue was held back by my unbelief. "I'm not sure I can do it."

Victor analyzed my words. "You mean the part can't protect them?"

I nodded.

"I can understand what you mean. Since you said to hold several different orders at once, that's why I think you need staff."

I took a breath, held it, and exhaled it slowly to let out all the pressure I felt.

"Mut, maybe you don't know you have the ability to lead," Victor said with a straight look at me. His seriousness keeps me glued.