Learning Years of Brand Building

Story of my nickname Bije. It happened because during middle school, I scratched the cap of a waste bin, and my best friend there yelled, pointed to me ‘ah, dj, dj, call him dj.’ After that moment, others called me DJ every day. People happened to forget the exact nick name, right after first time heard it, and everyone calls me bj or bije (pronounce /bi.dʒe/). Along the way, I was cool with it without correcting everyone. That’s the story.

High school years, and with my circle, we hanging out and began making ideas to run a business. I propose to run a brownies brand because my mom has been a baker since I was a little kid. Because my nickname's first alphabet is B, we decided to use Bije as the brand name, and I played with some abbreviations from the word B.I.J.E and coined the phrase "Brownies Ini Jelas Enak," which is This Brownies Is Delicious in English. Started around 2012, we promoted it with Twitter and BBM during that years. Bit bias for that claim on the brand name, but I believe that a name is a prayer.

In 2013, I left my hometown Pontianak to study communication in Jakarta. Due to study obligations and the challenges of long-distance management, I put the business on hiatus for a long time.

Long story short, in November 2022, I revived the business from the ground up, reestablishing it as Bije's Brownies. Today, November 19th marks our three-year anniversary since restarting in 2022. This is ongoing journey, and there is much more to learn.

We are grateful. We run it despite some wins and failures. We appreciate everyone who supports us by buying our brownies, from family, friends, colleagues, and the public. Thank you for supporting a small independent brand!

With years of building, We need at least seven years to come, like Naval advised,

"Be patient, it takes 10 years to build a career in anything.”

And speaking of 10 years+, one of my good friend from middle school is running a business for decades. The name is Garage Market, brand that promotes second-hand items on Instagram. And I have a chance to speak with Ais, the founder, in real life. We talk about anything, and I learned something from him about brand building. He told me that brand building need "consistency, idealism, and honesty". First about consistency, when he build the brand around 2014, he believe and said that “if talking about work, despite being small, if we consistent doing it. The result will come. I feel it the most, because that's the way. Why consistency because 2014 I start it from zero follower.” This reminds me of pareto principle where 80% of outcomes came from 20% of the small causes.

Second, he said about idealism in selling “You must have idealism, by showing how you sell, meaning like, when you look at seller A and seller B, they sell like that, you follow it. That’s make you inconsistent and lack personal branding. Followers can read about how you sell, from your service, how you post the stuff, and how you make content.”

Third thing he mentioned about honesty and said “There are many incidents that happened, when having reputation from the start, but become fraudulent. So, it's good to have real communication, which is nice because you're honest and people can appreciate you sells like this.”

As a man himself, the motivation that makes him running are his family, he said that "What motivates me is family. Means that they are alive, and of course, no longer productive. Younger siblings, two. When situations are at rock bottom, that's what it's like. I have lots of dependents. If it’s cliché, yes, that’s the situation."

Another inspiration I find in another city is a unique seller who has been selling colored pencils for over 30 years in Tehran, named Muhammad Rafi. This inspires me to stay consistent and bring smiles to customers, whether they are buying or pass. Quoted from his interview, "To be successful in a profession, you have to love your work." You know what is awesome for this man and his business? You can see, inside the narrow counter, where 50,000 organised, sorted pencils are on display in a tiny space.

Who can keep up with it? One thing is for sure: your own genuine reason and motivation behind building the life you want.

Let's go for another year of thrilling adventure.

Public Service

Today’s Brainies is about our recent collaboration with Nasi Jalang. They approached us then, bought our product and gave it free to their customer.

On that day, we saw an organic engagement, social proof, and people mentioning Nasi Jalang. We hope the customer is happier with the giveaway initiative after eating their food.

What we learned based on these experiences. We see a lot of traffic coming, but it's only a few people following our account. There are some things that need to improve for our account to grow more. We are not preparing any goals for this initiative, pure only on organic growth.

We don’t approach people or talk to them. Because we deliver it and leave, and it’s a missed opportunity for us. Next time if you have this kind of initiative and have goals in your growth strategy. You can ask them to support your brand and get more leverage. And we adapt test and learn mindset every day.

When you have a community that supports you, it becomes your extended team.

Thanks for reading and until next Brainies. :)

Creative Active

Become a new you, in the new month, with new knowledge and new skills. On the last day of the month, insight for you to improve and learn from the master.

Read the 1-minutes lesson from the greatest master in the past.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

— by Thomas A. Edison

Strategy For Reaching The Creative-Active Phase

Before everything about mastering your craft and begin as newbie. You might face the same problem: No instructions, no real books or teachers.

The High End is about the strategic approach that you can learn the basic pattern and lesson.

The High End

There is a mental disease in many fields called Technical Lock. We lock ourselves with the following standard of solving problems through process.

To solve problems we use the same pattern of techniques and strategies we know. We locked ourself in the same routes.

Wrong Motivation?

Technical Lock influences us to lose our sense of purpose of why we do this in the first place.

The simple way to avoid this kind of mental disease to your work project or problem you face. Connect with something larger: a bigger question over an idea that inspired your goal.

Ende

Zoom out if you feel stagnant, and return to the larger purpose and goal that you care about in the first place.

To connect with your purpose, make the bigger idea then the smaller path will lead you to the path of purpose.

Don't obsess over certain techniques or unimportant details. You will play into the natural state of the human brain on higher levels.

Until next Brainies. ^^

Reference: "Mastery" by Robert Greene

Hyperfocus

We live in an age where information can be absorbed easily via the internet. Through social media, apps, and any alert you set up on your smartphone, we are often bombarded with notifications.

As a result, we are distracted from doing things properly. If you want to become better at focusing than the average person. As you read this micro-slide, you'll have a better chance of putting your life into focus and dedication.

“Without selective interest, experiences is an utter chaos.”

— by William James

Introducing Hyperfocus

When you remain active with your brain in its most productive mode, it’s called: Hyperfocus.

The term has a similar meaning such as intense focus, but coupled with deliberate attention.

How to Enter the State of Hyperfocus Mode?

To Hyperfocus you must:
1. Choose a productive or meaningful object of attention;
2. Eliminate as many external and internal distractions as you can;
3. Focus on that chosen object of attention; and
4. Continually draw your focus back to that one object of attention.

Choosing What

to Focus on

The best way to become more productive is to choose what you want to accomplish before you begin working.

Ende

When our minds wander to choosing what to do, it’s best to take it actively to do where you spend your time and attention.

When you realise that you’ve gotten distracted, bring it back to your attention again and put it into hyperfocus mode. So you can build back your focus again.

Until next Brainies. ^^

Leisure and Pleasure

Bit late for us but Eid Mubarak for you who celebrate it. Now microblog about Leisure and pleasure on Brainies edition of 007. Slide to read if you like to know about this topic. We write this to keep you inspired for the long weekend and holiday.

“I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex.”

— by Oscar Wilde

Weekend Pastimes

We make a curated simple leisure time list for you to enjoy alone, or together with friend and family. It’s about forgetting your work life for a while.

Read Book

If you planning to make space and spend time alone. Simply leisure you can do; pick up your old book or buy a new one. Read a novel, a self-help book or any genre that interests you. Dig that good story or knowledge.

Picnic Day

Long holiday like this if you feel alone, ask your friend or family to plan for delightful picnic in a nearby park or scenic spot. Bring food, and picnic blanket. Have a good memorable moment. Don’t forget to take photos together.

Ende

With times can flies so fast, don’t forget to have fun on whatever leisure and pleasure time you have for this weekend. Let it flow and feel the complete state of enjoyment.

Until next Brainies. ^^

Embracing Changes

Always prepare ourselves for more difficult times.
Always accept what we’re unable to change.
Always manage our expectations.
Always persevere.
Always learn to love our fate and what happens to us.
Always protect our inner self, retreat into ourselves.
Always submit to a greater, larger cause.
Always remind ourselves of our own mortality. — Ryan Holiday

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

— by Socrates

The Discipline of The Will

“If Perception and Action were the disciplines of the mind and the body, then Will is the discipline of the heart and the soul.”

Tell Yourself;

The time for that has passed. The wind is rising. The bell’s been rung. Get started, get moving.

Momentum

Just because the condition right now isn’t exactly to your liking, or you don’t feel ready yet, doesn't mean you get a pass. If you want momentum, you’ll have to create it yourself, right now, by getting up and getting started.

Ende

Embracing change, the first step to do is, by giving it a swing. You’ve got to start, to go anywhere.

When you have already done that. You’re already ahead of most people. But let’s ask an honest question: Could you be doing more?

Until next Brainies. ^^

Deep Kindness

. . . that best portion of a good man's life.

His little, nameless, unremembered acts
Of kindness and of love.

— William Wordsworth

Community Love

Living abroad alone far from family for Eid can be tough, but celebrating with a community makes all the difference.

“We cannot sow seeds with clenched fists.”

— by Adolfo Pérez Esquivel

Taste of Our Home

‘“A dress presented to you as a gift by the king may be beautiful, but your own simple dress is better. Different meals from the tables of the rich may be good, but a loaf of simple bread from your own table always tastes much better.”

— MUSLIH-UD-DIN SAADI

Food Love

On Eid Mubarak, sharing food with family and the community is something we look forward to after a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection during Ramadan.

The food we share is a symbol of our gratitude for the blessings in our lives. It’s also a way for us to spread happiness by exchanging food and treats with our family, neighbours and friends.

Ende

Deep kindness, a way to connect, show and celebrate love which make Eid this year more meaningful. Cherish the warmth and love of our relationships, and appreciate the simple things that bring us together.

Until next Brainies. ^^

Mindfulness and self-awareness during Ramadhan

Ramadan is not just about refraining from food and drink, it's about nourishing your soul with mindfulness and spirituality.

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and day are signs for those of understanding.”

— Surah Ali-Imran, 3:190

Spiritual Connection

Embrace Islamic prayer and meditation to deepen your spiritual connection with Allah during Ramadhan. Such as dhikr, reciting Quran, and performing salah.

Practicing Gratitude and Self-Awareness

We can practice gratitude by reflecting on Allah's blessings and expressing thanks through prayer.

Self-awareness can be developed through practices like self-reflection and meditation, helping us to better understand our thoughts and emotions.

Spritual Intentions

Focus on your spiritual goals and set intentions for growth, using Islamic prayer and meditation as a tool to help achieve those goals.

Ende

Thank you lovely reader!

We hope you found our insights on mindfulness and Islamic prayer and meditation helpful in deepening your connection with Allah during Ramadhan. Stay tuned for next month's edition, where we will share more exciting ideas and inspiration for you

Until next Brainies. ^^

Clean Up Your Desk

The space where great work is done is holy. We must respect it. — Ryan Holiday

Clean Session

Sometimes we waited for some ideas to work on later. However, we realize our desk isn't that clean, messy, and sloppy. We keep it that way, yeah, admins sometimes have that bad habit.

It takes discipline. Discipline doesn't always have to be perfect, but it has to be continuous so that you make progress.

So if you want to make something well, such as think and work. You should start with cleaning up around yours, especially your productive place, the desk.

Hightide Hotel~

Our OG Baker, Mutia, with her temporary desk in hotel, journaling and planning. Then giving free brownies to besti3s in Bali.

Clean Desk = Orderly Success

It doesn't matter if we have a small or big desk at home or office. To keep it clean and tidy, we have to earn it. Eyes glow, the mind starts working with discipline, and procrastination disappears.

Ende

So next time you're ready to work at home or office, get thing done orderly, clean it up first then go to tick the checklist. Good luck!

Until next Brainies. ^^

The Source of Creativity

We begin with everything:
everything seen,
everything done,
everything thought,
everything felt,
everything imagined,
everything forgoten,
and everything that rests unspoken and unthought within us.

— Rick Rubin

Better Everything > Perfect Everything

Januarilibity

Let’s engage in an ongoing conversation with our OG baker, Mutia, from order to order.

Touch Base

B: Assalamualaikum, why does Mama like to meet customers even though, you can, use online couriers to deliver orders?

M: I started my cake business before online delivery was a thing. I like meeting customers face-to-face. It helps me talk to them directly and build a friendly relationship. I get to know them better and make sure their deliveries go to the right place safely. This also gives me a break from work and makes me feel refreshed. I still trust online delivery, but I prefer the personal touch of meeting my customers.

Touched Down

With the b3sties, before they went to KL. ^^

Food Pairing:

Enhance taste and stimulate appetite

Did you know that pairing brownies with certain flavors can enhance their taste and stimulate your appetite?

Bon Appétit.

For example, pairing them with a rich vanilla ice cream can add a creamy contrast to the chocolate, or adding a drizzle of caramel can add a sweet and gooey contrast.

Healthy = Wealthy

Also, consuming brownies made with dark chocolate can have nutritional benefits as it contains antioxidants and flavonoids, which can improve your overall health.

Ende

So next time you're enjoying a brownie from us or others. Think about the different flavour combinations that can take your taste buds to the next level and remember to savour the moment.

Until next Brainies. ^^

Pro Tips for Humans

Recent layoffs, earthquakes, and bad 'news' have made us feel down. Many of us live in uncertain times when the future is still a hazy concept.

As we strive to live in the present moment, we must maintain our strength and patience. The transition to a brand-new beginning will be difficult, and there is still much to do. However, we can move with the flow and get through it in time to enjoy our upcoming holiday.

Action > Motivation

Theory of Habit

We are unaware of our actions when we do them passively or automatically.

Poet-3

Three years of happiness or beyond,
Heaven in a moon-like your mother would see,
Amidst an atmosphere of bliss like your father would no measure,
You are the Seventh Sky, and onto the next to digest,
Abode develops.

2Easy2Ease?

Aside from poetry, we know that positive habits require discipline and consistency. You must start small. Not enough energy and time to establish a completely different routine? Break those unproductive habits and start building those mindset muscles. Ease of mind.

Here Are The Steps:

Positive first.

When you think 'you can' by 19%, it affects the other 81% of your mindset. Our minds can't tell the difference between what's positive and what's negative. Establish a can-do attitude. There were no complaints.

F0°cus.

Concentrate on one effective habit at a time and don't try too many things. Multitasking is inefficient, period.

Proud of Small Wins.

Celebrate that excited achievement. Tell your friends and family, they will be happy to know that. It will increase your dopamine and mood.