A letter to all dreams that I had

What if we just went broke, but have a dream? Does money determine our values? How much money do we need to earn respect from people? Don’t you think rational and valuable thought is important?

One of the best memories that I had in my entire life was throughout my matriculation year. The most remarkable day was during the Young Entrepreneur Innovation Competition participated by science & accounting students. The highlight of the contest was innovating products based on their modules, and the topic for business scholars was anything related with ✨ Halal Food ✨.

“What if we tried a dry seaweed shrimp roll?” Faa asked.

“Is there any wet seaweed in the market?” I replied innocently. They were all giggling over milk shake before simply agreeing.

Unfortunately, the idea was rejected by my lecturer. She said that the seaweed shrimp roll was not that competitive as compared to our classmate’s product. After a few days brainstorming, Yaya invent solution;

“What if we make an app?”

“... that scanned the ingredient on the packaging?” Ayu cheered.

It’s the day where it all began.

I spent a month (every evening, consistently) to sketch the app idea, do research, design and report to fulfil the requirement. My team believes in me to create the whole mockups of the app by fully utilising Microsoft PowerPoint as I love to explore em’ in my childhood days.

After the sweat and tears, dealing with the rejection, taking corrective action, and becoming the last group who submitted the business plan because of internal conflict, we managed to present our prototype in the lecture hall and more than 100 people attended. Our jaws dropped when the judges asked if we hired someone to design our prototype in front of the people. To make it worse, our commercial name for that mockup accidently the same as the actual product in the market. It was two different things, but it was just too complicated to explain. 

I didn’t come this far to only feel... so hopeless. But everything happens for a reason. My lecturer wanted to clean up our reputation by asking me to come to her cubicle and explain how I designed the prototype. Shortly after that, our group has been shortlisted to the finals and will compete in the same hall as the science students.

While walking down the entrance of the hall with the cardboard in my hand, I tell myself that I don’t intend to beat this competition, but give my best shot. That’s it. The preparation moment was fun. I still remember we ran to the bookstore to buy decorations and drinks before midnight while staring at the sky.

To make it short, we won the competition. There is no word to describe my feelings at that time, only God knows. In my mom’s baju kurung, I went up to the stage and saw a sea of people cheering. As an 18 years old girl, we learned a lot from the process and thank God, we enjoyed it.

I always believe that innovation has the potential not only in science, but also in business. It solves the problems in society, enhances efficiency and supports the economy. Accounting and other disciplines need each other. Everything can be proven when we have money, knowledge and a great team. What if a talented young man doesn't have money, but valuable ideas? Will you give him a chance? Does money determine his worth? Can you judge him by his appearance? You got your answer.

From this story, it doesn’t matter if thousands of people don’t believe in you, because effort won’t betray you. No matter who you are, you deserve to have a dream and cherish every single moment in your life. Just have faith in Him, it is only a matter of time. Anyway, don’t tell people your dreams. Show them.

“Verily, with every hardship comes ease.”