One of Indonesia's most well-known businessmen, Bambang Mustari Sadino, or Bob Sadino, was well-known for his unconventional approach to business and his achievements in the agribusiness sector. Bob was the youngest child in an affluent family, having been born on March 9, 1933, in Tanjung Karang, Lampung. Bob, who was 19 years old when he lost both of his parents, inherited a substantial wealth. Nevertheless, he made the decision to live alone and pursue a challenging career despite his wealth.
After completing his secondary education, Bob worked for a Dutch company for several years. As an ambitious young man, he decided to move to Europe with his family and worked as an employee at Djakarta Lloyd in Amsterdam and Hamburg, Germany. His experience living abroad significantly influenced his mindset and outlook on life. Nevertheless, Bob remained unsatisfied in Europe despite having a good level of living and moved back to Indonesia with his wife and kids.
Bob made the decision to give up his job as an employee and pursue business after returning to Indonesia. He initially attempted to use his inherited Mercedes-Benz to launch a car rental company. He served as the driver himself. Unfortunately, the business failed after his car was involved in an accident. This led Bob into depression, but he refused to give up.
After the failure of his car rental business, Bob ventured into selling chicken eggs. He started the business with very little capital, using a bicycle to deliver eggs to customers. Starting from door-to-door sales in his neighborhood, Bob gradually earned the trust of his customers. His high-quality eggs and friendly service allowed the business to grow rapidly. Bob eventually became a pioneer in introducing farm-fresh eggs to Indonesia, which were relatively unknown to the public at the time.
Building on the success of his egg business, Bob expanded into other sectors. He founded Kem Chicks, a supermarket specializing in fresh products such as meat, eggs, and vegetables. Kem Chicks became one of the most elite supermarkets in Jakarta, known for its high-quality products. Bob Sadino's agribusiness ideas enabled him to diversify his commercial interests into other industries, such as agriculture and cattle production. He also started additional businesses, like Kem Farm and Kem Food, which strengthened his standing as an accomplished businessman in Indonesia.
Bob Sadino was not just a prosperous businessman but also well-known for his distinctive and frequently contentious approach to business. His most well-known conviction was that "stupidity" is the secret to success. Bob says that starting a firm doesn't require a lot of theory or formal schooling.He often criticized those who overthink and overplan without taking any real action. For Bob, the most important aspect of business was taking action and learning from failure. “Smart people think too much, while stupid people try more,” is one of Bob’s most remembered sayings.
Bob’s business philosophy often clashed with conventional wisdom, which held that formal education and thorough planning are essential for success. Bob himself had no hesitation in declaring himself "stupid" because he did not possess a formal business education. However, through his hands-on approach and learning from real-world experience, Bob built a large business empire. He consistently stressed the value of taking chances and having a positive outlook on failure.
Bob was also renowned for having a straightforward and grounded manner. Even at formal gatherings, he was frequently spotted sporting casual clothes like shorts and a t-shirt. His unconventional fashion sense was a reflection of his honest and humble nature. Despite being one of the most prosperous businessmen in Indonesia, he never made an effort to present himself as such. Bob was seen as a modest individual even though he had a big impact on a lot of people.
Throughout his life, Bob frequently provided motivation to young entrepreneurs through seminars, interviews, and personal meetings. He constantly encouraged people not to fear trying and failing. He believed that failing was a necessary step on the path to achievement. He thought that worrying too much and being afraid of failing would only impede one's development.
Bob Sadino passed away on January 19, 2015, at the age of 81 due to complications from sickness. Even though he is no longer with us, many Indonesian businesses and prospective businesspeople are still motivated by his business philosophy. His turbulent life story shows that rigorous preparation or a formal education are not the only paths to success. Future generations will inherit the confidence to act, the ability to learn from mistakes, and the humility that Bob Sadino instilled in them.
