Amanda Divanty, a Management student at the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM) class of 2022, has become one of the students who successfully balanced her studies while managing six businesses.
Her entrepreneurial journey began with Porto Photo (@portophoto.id), a self-photo studio and photobooth service offering affordable, high-quality photos, which she co-founded with two fellow students from the same program.
“Porto Studio has an offline studio in Pogung, and it seems to have opened doors for me to venture into the food and beverage business,” the student said during a conversation at FEB UGM on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
Driven by her ambition, Amanda, as she is commonly called, soon expanded into the culinary business by launching Cherries Bites (@cheeries.bites), which sells brownies, chiffon cakes, and creamy sago online.
She later opened Paspa (@paspa.yk), a pasta and Zuppa shop in Condongcatur. In the same area, she launched Mentaikudimsum (@mentaikudimsum), a restaurant specializing in mental dim sum.
Amanda was thrilled to receive a grant to manage EB Café, specifically Milkymoo, a business selling milk products, ice cream, and egg waffles.
“This will soon operate at the EB Canteen, alongside Pisang Saji, which we launched in front of UNY’s Sports Hall at the end of January 2025,” she explained.
Reflecting on her success in managing six businesses at a young age, Amanda shared that her motivation for entrepreneurship stemmed from her childhood experiences watching her parents run a food and beverage business.
Since elementary school, Amanda had been trying her hand at selling various items, from stationery to slime and frozen food.
“What started as experimenting gradually became a habit. I found it enjoyable and productive to spend my free time doing something that generates income,” Amanda said.
Amanda attributes her success to teamwork and choosing the right business partners.
“Having the right team allows you to learn many things. If I hadn’t met my current partners, I might not have come this far,” she added.
She also expressed gratitude for her talent and ability to juggle both studies and business at a young age.
Known for her determination and perseverance, Amanda always strives to do her best and keep learning.
Like other successful students, Amanda revealed that managing her time between lectures and business was key.
She uses a detailed to-do list and prioritizes tasks accordingly.
“I try to create a detailed to-do list and tackle everything based on priority,” she explained.
Amanda is thankful for the immense support she has received from her family, close friends, and the FEB UGM academic environment.
Her friends at FEB UGM describe her as highly supportive and hardworking.
Amanda credits several courses for contributing to her business success, especially those related to marketing and operations.
“At first, I thought entrepreneurship was just about making products and selling them, but after studying at FEB UGM, I realized there are many other aspects, like human resource management, finance, and marketing, that are essential for building brand awareness,” she shared.
Looking ahead, Amanda plans to continue growing her businesses.
Despite challenges and uncertainties, she feels content with her current path.
“Through entrepreneurship, I feel I can contribute and provide job opportunities for others,” she said.
For students aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Amanda advises not to hesitate and to keep trying.
She recommends starting by gathering as much information as possible about the business they want to pursue.
“Remember, perfection doesn’t have to be achieved on the first step. Keep learning and improving over time. Don’t worry about what others say. If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” Amanda concluded.
Reporters: FEB UGM/Najwah Ariella Puteri & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang