Rempeyek Ayu Sokka, A Snack from Pendem Now Loved by Many
Not far from the bustling city, in Gareng, Pendem, Mojogedang, Karanganyar, a young mother named Ayu Sokka has become known for her rempeyek. At just 31 years old, she is not only recognized as a local resident but also as the creator of savory, flavorful rempeyek. The name “Ayu Sokka” doesn’t just represent herself, but has also become the brand identity of the product she started right from her own home kitchen. She offers a variety of flavors—peanut, mung bean, cowpea, tiny shrimp (rebon), soybean, and anchovy—all fried to a crisp with an authentic homemade taste.
Leaving the Factory to Start a Snack Business
Mrs. Ayu began her business at the end of 2022, right after resigning from her factory job. What initially felt like empty free time, she filled by experimenting with frying rempeyek. One day, her father’s friend tried it and said it was delicious, encouraging her to start selling. That’s when her courage grew. She first supplied it to a local elementary school, selling by the kilo to the teachers, supported by word-of-mouth promotions: “This peyek is delicious!” From there, slowly but surely, more orders came in, especially during Eid celebrations.
At first, everything was done very simply. She didn’t know proper packaging, couldn’t design, and kept no financial records. Sales were only through regular WhatsApp. She admitted that her biggest challenge back then was marketing. Her product tasted great, but not many people knew because she hadn’t tapped into digital media yet.
Things started to change after Mrs. Ayu joined the DIVA UMKM training program. There, she learned how to use WhatsApp Business, create pamphlets with Canva, and even design her own logo. She also realized how much a product’s appearance could affect its selling value. She became more disciplined, keeping records of profit and loss (even though she hasn’t fully calculated production costs yet), and tried to be consistent in promoting her products.
Learning and Growing Together with Fellow Entrepreneurs
For Mrs. Ayu, the most memorable training was photo editing, even though at first she laughed at herself: “Every time I clicked, it went wrong,” she recalled with a giggle. Yet through those struggles came confidence. She didn’t only learn from the trainers but also from fellow small business owners. The warm, supportive atmosphere made her feel less alone. Amid the laughter of learning something new, they gave each other input, shared tips, and encouraged one another. For her, learning while growing together was a precious experience.
When Rempeyek Becomes More than a Snack: A Path of Hope for Family and Community
Now, Mrs. Ayu shares a simple yet meaningful message for fellow UMKM entrepreneurs in Pendem:
“Keep the spirit alive in selling. Don’t give up, step by step, we can grow and do better.”
From her modest home kitchen, Rempeyek Ayu Sokka proves that a home-based business can grow into something bigger. With determination, hard work, and the will to keep learning, anyone can turn a simple snack into an inspiring story—one that supports a family and brings new color to the community.
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