Meet January Oudeman, an adventurous technophile and founder of Grivy.com
January Oudeman
Hi, Jan! Let's start with where you are?
I am Dutch and decided to move to the Far East to escape as much as possible of our beautiful little country. Not that I did not love him, but I was looking for another adventure. My wife and I looked on the map, since the archipelago and thought, "This looks really good, let's go!"
Have you lived elsewhere before Indonesia?
The first time I arrived in Indonesia was in 2008. At the time, I worked for a software company. After two years, I returned to Europe for my studies. Just before we arrived in Jakarta my wife and I lived in Cape Town and Madrid.
Are you an adventurer
You decide: I am robbed by a group of 20 thieves in South Africa, led across the desert Namib in a Fiat Uno, riding ostriches, (almost) stepped on a Cape Cobra, made a lot of camping in Indonesia (and had several meetings with people sitting knives next to our tent in the middle of the night! ), stood eye to eye with a black panther in Ujung Kulon and went on exciting trips jungle with our 22 year old Jeep CJ 7 Limited Edition, which has not always been very reliable (especially when it would start to rain).
Tell us about your business, Grivy.com and how it began.
Grivy is my own start-up that is incorporated as a limited company in Indonesia. Jakarta has much to offer in terms of leisure activities, however, find something fun to do at a good price is not always easy. That's where we come in. Grivy helps you discover the best leisure activities, and the best part is that you decide how much to pay for it. These offers are recreational activities that you normally do in your free time - anything to go to a restaurant for rafting in Bali -. To offer through our platform online auction
How is unique Grivy from other e-commerce applications or websites?
Grivy is the first start-up in Southeast Asia to offer online auctions of leisure activities. However, we knew that the development of a sales platform for high-tech auction would take time. Since we wanted to interact with customers and merchants as soon as possible, we decided to also offer other types of interesting offers and promotions, in addition to online auctions to be launched in the coming weeks.
Currently Grivy promotes restoration offers (book online and get discounts on the base when you dine, card offers, etc.), to locate the advantages of the credit card of your favorite merchants and card issuers and soon local offers - you can get over 50% off the deal packages online auction bids. Next month, we will launch three native mobile applications for BlackBerry, iOS and Android, all with integrated technology based on the location that makes it easy to find the best deals near your current location.
Have you encountered difficulties in the execution of Grivy in Jakarta? What is most difficult to start Grivy?
For start-ups that develop platforms online, the challenge is to get a good amount of users and merchants on board. We did a lot of user acquisition experiences, I must say, has brought us good results.
At the age of 27 years is that your only business? Are you planning to have other companies in the future?
Grivy.com Before I had another Internet startup that employers used to match employment agencies and their available candidates with job vacancies from employers. I will focus on Grivy for the coming years, as we are here to build a sustainable business. I'm a bit of a geek and I love new technology. If there would be another company in the future, then it would certainly be another Internet business.
Are there any disadvantages of having your own business at a young age?
I think not. Being young and building an online business is an advantage because we are able to use and develop the latest technologies available on the market. Our generation is very digitally oriented and these days all the necessary tools and systems are available at relatively low cost.
With the birth of Grivy, I think you are a fan of eating out. What area of Jakarta you often to eat outside?
This is true. All Mediterranean (I love Italy!) With a glass of red wine would do. I love the French, Italian, Turkish and Greek. I like to eat as much as I eat at home as my wife is an excellent cook; she makes her own yogurt with cereal with honey baked, prepare the most delicious pasta with fresh basil sauce made home, or hummus with tasty bread baked in oven and barbequed Turkish minced lamb, so yes I am very happy with my beautiful wife that sends much love in my stomach.
Are there any tips for young entrepreneurs like you, trying to launch their own start-up in Jakarta?
"Screw, do it!" Richard Branson would say, and this is very true. You could end up with a great business plan, but in the end you just have to do this and that happening. Jakarta is an ideal place for business with many possibilities. Many business ideas that have worked in other countries are not yet there, so the performance of those in the Indonesian market are real opportunities.
What's your ideal vacation?
Flores and nearby islands, which look like they come directly from the film Jurassic Park; very wild with dizzying volcanoes, great nature and white sandy beaches with small sharks and sea turtles swimming around you. Unbelievable!
Want to share a story that confirms your love for Indonesia?
Oh yes. I do a lot of mountain biking in Bintaro where you still have rice fields. One morning I was cycling in someone's garden in the kampung , or should I say through someone's bathroom as there was this gentleman sitting on his toilet in rice field, waving to me, and with a big smile, he said: " Selamat pagi! "Can you imagine? In Holland, if you look on the door of someone they get angry with you!
Do you have a hobby or an organization do you belong?
in my free time I like the treasurer of a non-governmental organization, supervision of financial services 25 outreach projects partners. It is very gratifying to see this that all our orphanages, street children projects, scholarships and nursing homes have achieved over many years of hard work, which is generously supported by the members of our church all Jakarta Saints and external donors.
If you are not a businessman, what would you be doing in a city like Jakarta?
If not for business, I would not be going through in Jakarta. no, just kidding. I mean Indonesia is a beautiful country, but Jakarta is a city that has many problems (and opportunities!) Who never seem to resolve that nobody seems to take responsibility.
What makes a great businessman?
I would say that success can never be separated from the team that made it possible. Even with the most robust technology, it is always the team that determines success.
Thanks for your time, Jan! To contact Jan Oudeman, email jan@grivy.com.