Life of an entrepreneur revolve around two questions, ‘Will I be successful this time or Will I face failure again?' The path of being entrepreneurs sometimes define failure as a process to success. Sometimes failure makes you realize that you need to improve your innovation, product, or idea.
It also applies to Chairul Tanjung who widely known as the founder and leader of CT Corp. His company has a various business such as financial, property, media and entertainment, retail and lifestyle, also natural resources. On his biography book with the title Chairul Tanjung Si Anak Singkong (Chairul Tanjung The Cassava Child), he shared about how he was raised and how he reached success as it is now.
Chairul was raised in a family that quite well off, but suddenly has to encounter such hardship because his father’s business force to close. At that time, along with his five siblings, his family need to live in poverty.
Fortunately, this situation triggered him to start a business when he was a student at the University of Indonesia, Faculty of Dentistry. At that time, he sells books, t-shirts, and even open his own photocopy shop. Later, he also opened a medical and laboratory equipment store in Senen Raya, although his attempt was not successful.
Followed by his ups and downs, finally, Chairul found the rhythm and found PT Pariarti Shindutama along with three colleagues. Due to an internal problem with his colleagues, he set up his own business with three core business namely financial, property, and multimedia. Later, his business widely known as CT Corp and become one of biggest Indonesia group.
Business magazine, Forbes, released the list of the world’s richest people in 2010 and Chairul Tanjung is among the richest people on the list. Forbes stated he is ranked 937 in the world with a total wealth of US$1 billion. His rank jump into 11 in 2011 with total assets US$2,1 billion. His achievement doesn’t stop here because he was appointed as Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs during Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration.
According to him[1], even though capital is important to build and develop business, the willingness to work hard and face failure is the key to success in business. The success story of Chairul Tanjung teaches us about a man who doesn’t want to give up in midst of the limitation of economic condition. He fought hard to reverse his misfortune to something big and capable to contribute to his country.
[1] Diredja, Tjahja Gunawan (2012). Chairul Tanjung : Si Anak Singkong (Chairul Tanjung The Cassava Child). Jakarta : Kompas