The Story of Vini: From Burger Seller to Bogor's Signature Talas Cake Entrepreneur

Behind the success of Riva Cake, known for its signature product Kue Sarmut made from taro, lies a long journey of trial and error experienced by its owner, Vini. The woman from Bogor Regency initially started a burger business but failed to gain market traction. She then tried selling choux pastry, risoles, and lemper in limited quantities at a Ramadan bazaar, which unexpectedly sold out before iftar. This small success reignited her spirit, leading her to expand her product range and sell from a simple display case in a shop’s parking area, marking the beginning of Riva Cake.

Vini’s turning point came after she joined a mentoring programme run by the Yayasan Indonesia Setara (YIS), founded by Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno. Through the ‘Desa Emas’ programme, she received training in business management, marketing, and product development. The programme encouraged her to utilise taro, a local Bogor commodity, leading to the creation of Kue Sarmut, a combination of taro flour and caramel nest cake. Although initially overlooked as a traditional snack, a sample distribution strategy helped the product gain recognition, and it is now a signature souvenir from Cigombong sold for around Rp60,000 per box.

Beyond her own business, Vini established the Riva Baking Class (RBC) community about five years ago to share knowledge with others. The community now has over 120 members from Bogor, Tangerang, and Jakarta, learning to make various products from bread and dim sum to frozen food. Sandiaga Uno praised Vini’s journey as a clear example of how MSMEs can rise from adversity with proper mentorship, a willingness to learn, and the courage to innovate. Vini measures her success not just by her business growth, but by her ability to help others succeed.