Grow with Character! (1 / 100) Series by Hermawan Kartajaya

ONE in May 1990 was a historic date for me. That first day I was not chairman of the distribution of PT HM Sampoerna. And that's the first day I also started MarkPlus. The date was also the first day I became an entrepreneur.

The day before, I was still holding the card cool name of PT HM Sampoerna. Distribution Director of PT HM Sampoerna. The day before I was based at the factory in Complex Sampoerna Surabaya Industrial Estate Rungkut or often called SIER. The previous day I still have "men" around 1600 people across Indonesia, which is divided in 54 areas. One area may include two or three districts. Understandably, it should be a cigarette sales evenly, especially Dji Sam Soe, who was populist.

On that day, fit one in May 1990, I officially use the card MarkPlus Professional Service. As soon as I call it, because I think just ready to do "professional service" anything! Since the office does not exist, it is based on the home aja, Taman Indah Prapen C-8 Surabaya.

I just think, at that time, that the address was "less professional" because it was not in the office, but not too "kebanting". It was also not there to cool the housing complex like now: Galaxy, Ciputra, Pakuwon, and so on. So, Complex Prapen a "beautiful" is pretty good, because the place is clean and occupied many executives.

So, at least, let me have this perception of the company's MarkPlus one man show, but was founded by an ex-top executive of a large company in Surabaya. Employees not yet exist. Why?

First, I did not dare to hire people. If you do not do what? Second, yes indeed nobody wanted to work for me.

In fact, frankly, a month before the "resign" from the Sampoerna, I did ask my men to the intelligent design to design the logo MarkPlus. That is, that once out of Sampoerna, I was holding his own card with a nice logo.

Business cards are the first I thought, for fear of identity that is not got no in Sampoerna again. Well, this is my men with whom I was discussing the logo outside of working hours

I, in fact, he told only in a "confidential" about my plan of MarkPlus which began May 1. At that time, he seemed very enthusiastic about helping me to prepare the logo, including its application in letterheads and envelopes. But, finally, I am disappointed when he did not want to be the first employee MarkPlus Professional Service!

"Sorry sir, I did not dare to take risks ..." he said as he bowed his face.

He frankly admitted was not "sure" until when MarkPlus survive. In fact, the Sampoerna he was quite "steady" despite including employees "underclass". That first day MarkPlus situation at that time.

When I woke up this morning, felt a bit strange. I usually shower in the morning, afraid to be late to work because they have to give an example to men. Batik dress uniform Sampoerna accordance with the required color for the day.

In Sampoerna, then, we were all given three kinds of batik uniform with three colors. Monday-Thursday, Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday of each single color.

On May 1, I woke up was a bit siangan, but a bit confused what will be done that day. Because, suddenly had no need to wear batik again after so many years. Like there is "missing".

The day before I also had to return official Toyota Crown Royal Saloon. That day I started driving my car sendiri.Toyota new Corolla, but the mortgage ...! Everything suddenly seemed lost! Yes, nice office, nice car, men, uniforms, even a business card cool.

I still remember, I only have a savings and fifty million rupiah at that time. Twenty million dollars I use for DOWNPAYMENT Toyota Corolla, the remaining thirty million to spare.

Because there is no client who wanted to use my professional services on the first day, want to know what I do? Believe it or not, I write articles for Java Pos Reboan as much as possible! At that time I was already invited Mr. Dahlan Iskan new building Java Pos few years to write routines in Java Pos Surabaya with five other people. Incidentally, I chose Wednesday. Other authors who have chosen a different day.

That is how Mr. Dahlan "lift" the image of Surabaya people who might not be a column in the media capital. I like Wednesday, because there in the middle of the week.

Thus, the immediate history MarkPlus celebrate 20th anniversary on May 1, 2010 this is very not separated from Java Post! There's sort of a "spiritual". Tomorrow, I'll share more details about this. (*)