Starting a business after the pandemic wasn't easy, especially with limited capital. However, by staying disciplined with my budget, building a community around a shared passion, and using the right technology, I was able to grow my coffee shop from a single location into a business with five outlets across Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This is the story of how careful planning and data-driven decisions helped make that growth possible.

How did you start your business?

I co-founded 31 Bloc, a coffee shop in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2022, shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many entrepreneurs, I decided to start my own business because job opportunities were limited, and I wanted to create something sustainable for myself.

My initial investment was around 20 million Indonesian Rupiah (approximately US$800). From day one, I knew that every expense mattered. Starting with limited capital forced me to be very careful with budgeting, and that mindset has remained one of the keys to our growth.

Today, we operate four physical coffee shops and one cloud kitchen, but none of that happened overnight. We focused on growing steadily while keeping our operating costs under control.

When choosing a POS system, affordability was one of my biggest concerns. Many local providers required expensive subscriptions and long-term contracts, which weren't practical for a small business. I needed a solution that was both reliable and cost-effective.

What makes your coffee shop unique?

Our coffee shop is built around more than just coffee.

My business partners and I are motorcycle enthusiasts, and from the beginning we wanted to create a place where people with similar interests could gather. Our first customers were simply friends and members of our own community. At the start, selling 30 cups of coffee a day was already a meaningful milestone.

As the business developed, each partner took responsibility for a different area. I focus on finance, business systems, and operational control, while my partners lead product development, marketing, and community engagement.

Today, our shops have become popular meeting places for motorcycle riders. There aren't many cafés in our city that actively support this community, and that has helped us build a loyal customer base and a strong identity.

Which Loyverse features do you use the most?

Even though I'm currently using the free version of Loyverse, two features have had the biggest impact on how I manage the business.

The first is the Dashboard. I really appreciate how intuitive it is and how easily it shows my sales performance throughout the day. The hourly sales reports help me understand customer traffic much better than the local POS systems I used previously.

The second feature is the API. Using the Loyverse API, I built my own reporting tools with Google Sheets and TypeScript. One of the dashboards I created is a heat map that shows exactly when customer traffic is highest.

This information allows me to schedule my baristas based on actual demand rather than assumptions. Since labor is one of my largest operating costs, these reports help me decide exactly how many employees I need during each shift. Instead of relying on guesswork, I make staffing decisions based on real sales data.

Why do you recommend Loyverse?

One of the things I value most about Loyverse is its simplicity.

I hope it continues to stay lightweight instead of becoming overloaded with features that require more powerful hardware. Many small businesses in Indonesia still use older tablets and smartphones because replacing them represents a significant investment.

In fact, one of my stores still uses a Samsung tablet from 2016, and Loyverse continues to run smoothly on it. That reliability is a huge advantage for small businesses that need dependable software without investing in expensive new devices.

Because of that, I've recommended Loyverse to many friends and business partners who are starting their own businesses. It's an affordable solution that works well even with existing hardware, making it much easier for entrepreneurs to get started.

What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs?

My biggest piece of advice is to pay close attention to your budget.

Many entrepreneurs spend money on tools or services that they don't really need during the early stages of their business. Every expense should have a clear purpose and contribute to improving your operations.

In Indonesia, some POS systems charge subscription fees that are simply too expensive for small businesses. Those costs can quickly reduce profitability, especially when you're just starting out.

Focus on spending wisely, controlling costs, and making decisions based on data. Building a successful business isn't only about increasing sales—it's also about managing your resources efficiently. That's the foundation that allowed me to grow from one small coffee shop into multiple successful locations

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