Office-Less Millionaire: Man Raises Hundreds of Millions of Cakes
- JAKARTA (March 30, 2025) - for many, a high-paying job at a large corporation represents the pinnacle of post-graduation success.
- Setiawan's entrepreneurial journey began during his final year of studies.
- The positive feedback, coupled with the rising popularity of Korean bento cakes in 2021 and 2022, inspired Setiawan to promote his creations on social media.
Cake Dreams: Jakarta Graduate Turns Sweet Tooth into Thriving business
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JAKARTA (March 30, 2025) – for many, a high-paying job at a large corporation represents the pinnacle of post-graduation success. However, Rehan Budi Setiawan, 26, took a different path, diving headfirst into the world of cake-making promptly after college.
From Dessert Boxes to Booming Business
Setiawan’s entrepreneurial journey began during his final year of studies. He and his than-girlfriend, now wife, started creating dessert boxes as farewell gifts for interns and friends.
The positive feedback, coupled with the rising popularity of Korean bento cakes in 2021 and 2022, inspired Setiawan to promote his creations on social media.
“Initially, it was accidental, just a distraction with my wife before working on my thesis,” Setiawan said. “The Korean cake trend was booming, and we started posting on social media. After graduating, I became serious about this.”
Humble Beginnings, Sweet Success
Setiawan’s initial investment was approximately 100,000 Indonesian Rupiah (about $6 USD), used to purchase basic ingredients and packaging. After six months of growing demand,he decided to open his own shop,mauku Cake.
“This was originally a family business with my wife,” he explained. “The initial investment was small, but we kept reinvesting. We started from home and then opened the shop.”
Rising Revenue and Ramadan Rush
Mauku Cake has experienced significant growth. Setiawan reports an average monthly revenue of 120 million to 130 million Rupiah (approximately $7,500 – $8,100 USD),with a daily production of around 25 cakes of various sizes.
Ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan, Mauku Cake has seen a surge in orders, particularly for gift hampers.Setiawan estimates a 40% increase in turnover.
“This year is far better than last year,” setiawan said. “During this Ramadan, turnover is around 175 million Rupiah (about $10,900 USD) per month.”
Learning on the Go
Despite never having worked in a customary corporate setting, Setiawan now employs 11 people. He continues to expand his business knowledge through online resources like YouTube and webinars.
“Running a business like this isn’t easy,” he said. “I’ve never been in the professional world. I learn by watching YouTube and joining webinars.”
Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Setiawan offers advice for those looking to start their own businesses: develop a clear strategy, take action, and consistently engage with customers.
“Just start,” he said. “If you only think about the strategy, you’ll never get started.”
Sweet Treats and Where to Find Them
Mauku Cake offers a variety of cakes, including Korean-style birthday cakes, cupcakes, and special Lebaran hampers. Prices range from 90,000 to 400,000 Rupiah (approximately $5.60 to $25 USD).
Those interested in trying Mauku Cake can visit the shop on jalan Veteran Raya, Bintaro, Pesanggrahan, South Jakarta, or contact them via Instagram @maukucake.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
cake Dreams: Jakarta Graduate’s Sweet Success Story – Q&A
Here’s a look at how Rehan Budi Setiawan turned his passion for baking into a thriving business. This facts is based on the article provided.
Q: Who is Rehan Budi Setiawan, and what’s his story?
A: Rehan Budi Setiawan is a 26-year-old graduate from Jakarta who chose a different path after college. Instead of a corporate job, he embraced his love for cake-making and built a accomplished business, Mauku Cake.
Q: How did Mauku Cake get its start?
A: The article states that it all began during Setiawan’s final year of studies. He and his then-girlfriend (now wife) started creating dessert boxes as gifts. The positive response, combined with the rising popularity of Korean bento cakes, inspired them to promote their creations on social media. After graduating, Setiawan decided to take the business seriously.
Q: What were the humble beginnings of Mauku Cake?
A: Setiawan’s initial investment was around 100,000 Indonesian Rupiah (approximately $6 USD) to purchase ingredients and packaging. Thay started from home, and after six months of growing demand, they opened their own shop.
Q: How successful is Mauku Cake currently?
A: Mauku Cake has experienced significant growth. The article indicates an average monthly revenue of 120 million to 130 million Rupiah (approximately $7,500 – $8,100 USD), with a daily production of about 25 cakes of various sizes.
Q: How has Ramadan impacted Mauku Cake’s business?
A: The business sees a surge in orders around Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan, especially for gift hampers. Setiawan estimates a 40% increase in turnover during this period. For this Ramadan, the turnover reached around 175 million Rupiah (about $10,900 USD) per month.
Q: How does Rehan Budi Setiawan learn about running a business?
A: Setiawan learns by watching YouTube videos and attending webinars. He has never worked in a traditional corporate setting.
Q: What advice does Rehan Budi Setiawan give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
A: Setiawan’s advice is to develop a clear strategy, take action, and consistently engage with customers. He emphasizes the importance of starting, rather then overthinking the strategy.
Q: What kind of cakes does Mauku Cake offer, and where can they be found?
A: Mauku Cake offers a variety of cakes, including Korean-style birthday cakes, cupcakes, and special Lebaran hampers. Prices range from 90,000 to 400,000 Rupiah (approximately $5.60 to $25 USD).the physical shop is on Jalan veteran Raya, Bintaro, Pesanggrahan, South Jakarta. You can also find them on Instagram @maukucake.
Q: Can you summarize the key takeaways from this story?
A: Rehan Budi setiawan’s story highlights how passion, combined with a strategic approach, can lead to entrepreneurial success. It underscores the value of adapting to market trends, starting small, and continuously learning to grow a business.