From a Street Cart to a Busy Food Stall: Bu Yuli’s MSME Journey with Financial Support
- MEKAR
- Oct 26, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 10
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Indonesia’s economy, with many driven by women who play a vital role in supporting household income. However, many micro-entrepreneurs still face significant challenges, particularly limited access to funding.
This was once the case for Yuli Hertati, the owner of a chicken noodle stall (Warung Mie Ayam) in Cikupa, Tangerang. What is now a permanent food stall began as a simple pushcart, which her husband would take around residential areas each day to sell their products.
Although she had long dreamed of owning a permanent stall, limited capital made it difficult to achieve. Her business journey began to change when a neighbor introduced her to the Abdi Kerta Raharja Cooperative. Through a weekly women’s group gathering, she joined the cooperative and gained access to funding to grow her business.
The financing distributed through the cooperative was supported by MEKAR, which focuses on providing productive financing for MSMEs. This support marked a turning point for Bu Yuli’s business. Gradually, her mobile noodle business grew until she successfully opened a permanent stall.
However, the journey was not without challenges. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, her business was significantly affected. Customer numbers dropped, and income declined sharply. Despite this, they continued to open daily and persevered through the difficult period.
With continued financial support from the cooperative backed by MEKAR, Bu Yuli’s business slowly recovered. Today, her noodle stall is busy again, especially due to its location near factory areas, making it a popular dining spot for workers during breaks.
Her story shows that small businesses can grow sustainably when given proper access to funding and support. From a mobile cart to a stable business, this journey illustrates how MSMEs can recover and scale.
Looking ahead, Bu Yuli and her husband hope to open new branches to further expand their business and create more impact within their community.
Watch the Full Story
You can watch Bu Yuli’s full journey in the video below:
