Cimahi MSME Sees Revenue Surge Following BRI Peduli Halal Certification Training

Not a few businesses are born from difficult times. The same applies to BUNCY, a home-based business owned by Lucy Emilda that began in 2020 when the pandemic forced many to find ways to survive. From a simple kitchen in Cimahi, West Java, Lucy started making cheese sticks with a simple hope: to present a snack that many people would enjoy while supporting her family’s economy. Starting as a home industry, BUNCY has continued to grow by prioritising taste and quality in every product. Behind each package of cheese sticks lies a spirit to offer a snack that can be enjoyed by all circles while bringing benefits to the family and the surrounding environment. However, building a business is not always an easy journey. Amidst increasingly fierce competition in the snack industry, building consumer trust became the biggest challenge Lucy faced in developing her business. For her, trust is crucial capital for a product to be accepted by the public. Therefore, halal certification became a step she believed could strengthen that trust while enhancing the business’s competitiveness. ‘Culinary businesses, especially those that have a halal certificate, find it easier to gain consumer trust,’ she said. Besides providing a sense of security for consumers, halal certification also brought changes for Lucy as a business owner. She admitted to feeling more confident when introducing her products to potential buyers and business partners. Through the Halal Certification Programme facilitated by BRI, BUNCY obtained the opportunity to complete its business legality. The halal certificate became an initial foothold for Lucy to step further in developing her business. After obtaining the halal certification, Lucy did not stop there. She continued by processing a Home Industry Food Production licence so that her products would have more complete legality and she could reach a wider market. ‘After obtaining the Halal Certificate, I proceeded to arrange the Home Industry Food Production licence. With these complete documents, I can expand my market reach, which has an impact on increasing my business revenue,’ Lucy recounted. For Lucy, the benefit of this programme lies not only in the certificate received but also in the mentoring process that made the entire procedure feel easier. From the requirements to the administration, every stage was passed with clear guidance, allowing business owners to focus more on developing their businesses.