Indonesia has millions of microbusinesses. They are everywhere—in cities, small towns, and even remote villages. They make up more than 97% of all businesses in the country. Many of them are run by individuals or families, working long hours just to keep things going.
People often admire how these small businesses survive through tough times. And that’s true—they are resilient. But when we look more closely, we also see something else. Many of these businesses are stuck. They are not growing. They are not getting stronger. And most importantly, they are not bringing real prosperity to the people who run them—or the people who work for them.
The Vicious Cycle of Being Busy, But Stuck
Take a small motorcycle repair shop, for example. It’s been running for years. The owner is skilled and hardworking. Customers trust him. But everything is done manually. There are no service records, no invoices, and no tracking of parts or income. Payments are mostly in cash. When the shop gets busy, things become chaotic—orders are delayed, mistakes happen, and the owner ends up working late just to catch up.
It’s exhausting. He is always busy, but never ahead. He can’t take a break, can’t hire someone he trusts, and can’t apply for a loan because there’s no financial record. It’s not because he isn’t capable. It’s because the system around him isn’t helping. He’s doing everything he can, but the business stays the same year after year.
This is what we often miss. These businesses don’t lack effort. They lack support, structure, and tools that actually work for them.
It’s Not Just About Access
At Mekari, we’ve spent years building tools for small businesses—accounting software, payroll systems, HR tools, communication platforms. We even offer low-cost or free products for very small businesses, because we believe access is important.
But we’ve also learned something along the way: tools alone are not enough.
Many microbusinesses don’t just need software. They also need to understand how to run a business. They need to know how to plan, how to calculate profit, how to manage people, and how to grow. And they often don’t have anyone to guide them.
It’s not their fault. Most have never had the chance to learn these things. They are doing their best, but without the right support, it’s hard to change.
Focus on Businesses That Are Ready to Grow
That’s why we believe one of the best ways to support Indonesia’s economy is to help microbusinesses that are already starting to grow—the ones that are trying to formalize, trying to hire, trying to use tools.
We call them “upper micro” businesses. They’re not big yet, but they are moving forward. With the right help, they can become strong small businesses. And when that happens, they create jobs, improve quality, and become examples for others in the community.
This doesn’t mean we ignore the rest. But it does mean we should prioritize those who are ready—because they can grow faster, and their growth will have more impact.
Helping Microbusinesses Move Forward, Step by Step
We believe inclusive entrepreneurship isn’t just about giving everyone access. It’s about making sure people actually move forward. It means helping them understand, use, and benefit from the tools.
At Mekari, we try to build software that’s easy to use and useful right away. But we also know that true change takes time. It takes education, patience, and ongoing support. No shortcut.
Still, the goal is clear: we want more microbusinesses to become strong small businesses. We want more people to experience what it’s like to not just survive—but to grow, hire, and thrive.
That’s how we believe Indonesia can build a stronger, fairer, and more productive economy. One step at a time. Starting with the ones who are already trying to take that step.