Universitas Airlangga, through the EWBC 2025 program organized by the Wiradana Division of APHSA BEM FKM UNAIR, held a national webinar titled “The Startup Stories Behind The Scenes” on Saturday, September 6, 2025. The online event via Zoom featured two young speakers: Reza Nafi Rizki Musyaffa, Founder and President of 180 Degrees Consulting UNAIR, and Shafira Yasmin Noor Delila, TikTok content creator and founder of the hijab brand j9.hijab.

Creative Startup Ideas Rooted in Real Needs

In the opening session, Reza highlighted that business ideas originate from real needs in society. He pointed to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a strong source of inspiration.

“If there were no problems, the 17 SDG points wouldn’t exist,” he said.

Reza gave examples such as a cultural e-commerce platform that offers both traditional products and services, and a platform for selling leftover restaurant food at affordable prices, inspired by practices in Europe.

Strategic Analysis in Business Planning

Reza stressed the need to test every idea using the SMART Framework to ensure it is specific, measurable, realistic, relevant, and time-bound. He also introduced the Business Model Canvas (BMC) to map out nine key components of a business, from customer segments to revenue streams.

He emphasized the importance of strategic analysis using several tools: SWOT to evaluate internal strengths and weaknesses, PESTEL to examine external factors, and STP to define market segmentation, targeting, and positioning.

“Differentiation and innovation are the keys to surviving in competition,” he stated.

Building a Hijab Brand Amid Challenges

Shafira Yasmin Noor Delila shared her experience founding j9.hijab. She underlined that failure is a normal part of entrepreneurship.

“Failure is not the end, but the beginning of a new step,” she said.

Yasmin described internal challenges, such as limited business knowledge, an unsteady team, and financial management issues. External obstacles included tight competition, shifting trends, and business regulations. She adapted by using live streaming and affiliate marketing on TikTok to promote her products.

She also highlighted the importance of mental health and networking. For her, a business may fall, but the individual must remain strong. She continues to build networks with business communities and mentors to explore collaboration opportunities.

Innovation, Resilience, and Adaptability in Startup Growth

Both speakers agreed that starting a business requires innovation, resilience, and adaptability. EWBC 2025 delivered insights ranging from management theories to practical brand-building in today’s digital environment.

PHOTO: UNAIR

This article was created with AI assistance.