From Charity to Business: The Rise of Pop-Up Book Entrepreneur

Transforming Passion into Profit

Fatchul Hidayah Clarine Yuzlar's journey into the world of pop-up books began with a simple act of kindness in 2017. Hosting playdates and creative activities for neighborhood children in her Ujungberung, Bandung home evolved into Kreatifafa, a creative space that eventually became a thriving business. The initial motivation was purely charitable, with Fatchul giving away books to children who visited her home.

The Turning Point: From Gift to Product

The business took shape when Fatchul returned from abroad in 2019, having secured a scholarship to further her education. She created 250 pop-up books as promised to the children who had visited her previously. When friends and acquaintances expressed interest in purchasing similar books, Fatchul saw an opportunity. She invested Rp 70 million to produce 500 pop-up books for the Big Bad Wolf (BBW) international book festival, where they were completely sold out.

Business Expansion and International Recognition

Kreatifafa has since diversified its offerings beyond pop-up books to include merchandise, board games, and animations. The company's creations have gained international recognition, with rights to some titles being acquired by countries like Saudi Arabia and Germany. The business now generates a monthly revenue of Rp 30-50 million.

Lessons and Growth

Fatchul learned valuable lessons about the costs involved in producing high-quality, artistic products. Initially, the profit margins were not significant due to production costs and the learning curve associated with establishing a new business. However, as Kreatifafa grew, so did its profitability and reach. The company has expanded to Yogyakarta and even established a pesantren.

Conclusion

Fatchul's story is a testament to how a simple act of kindness can evolve into a successful business venture with the right vision and execution. Kreatifafa's success in the pop-up book market demonstrates the potential for creative entrepreneurship in Indonesia's growing children's education sector.