Starting a business while still in college or right after graduation is becoming increasingly attractive to young people. Research conducted by SMERU in 2022 shows that 73% of young people are interested in starting a business. Moreover, the presence of social media and digital platforms allows products to be marketed starting from one’s circle of friends, without needing a physical store first.

However, having a product and getting the first customer is only the first step. A bigger challenge often arises after the business starts running. This phase often determines the direction of a young person’s business: whether it will continue operating at the same scale or start to be developed into a more serious and sustainable venture.

Building a business requires a big commitment because every decision will determine the future development of the venture. “Having a business is like having a child that must be cared for wholeheartedly. We need to understand what the business needs. If we take the wrong step, the business can find it hard to level up. Therefore, businesspeople need to be resilient, brave enough to learn, and not hesitate to ask questions of those who are more experienced.”

So, what are the signs that your business is running but hasn’t truly leveled up? Here are three things to pay attention to.

  • Customers exist, but capital keeps running out to fulfill the next order

For some young entrepreneurs, the income that comes in is still spent on fulfilling production needs and subsequent orders. As a result, they have limited room to add stock, improve packaging, expand promotions, and broaden their market. At this stage, additional capital can be an important boost so that the business not only keeps running but also grows.

  • The product sells, but is not ready for expansion

A product might sell well in a campus or community environment, but it may not be ready to reach a wider market. To level up, young entrepreneurs need to test not only the product’s appeal, but also the price, quality consistency, production capacity, delivery readiness, and marketing strategies for new consumers. With this foundation, the business will be more ready to grow sustainably.

  • Busy selling, but lacks access to learn from more experienced people

Running a business alone often makes young entrepreneurs focus on daily operations, leaving little room to think about business development. Meanwhile, access to mentors, networks, and opportunities to test strategies is not always easy for students or fresh graduates. Yet, insights from someone who understands the market can help them strengthen their product, improve their strategy, and guide their business to grow more directionally.

Business Competition as a Momentum for Young Entrepreneurs to Level Up

For students and fresh graduates who have been running a business but still face challenges in growing, a business competition can be a momentum to take their venture to the next level. Besides opening access to additional capital, the competition also provides an opportunity for businesspeople to test their business readiness, get feedback, and see development opportunities more objectively.

This opportunity is presented by J&T Express through the J&T Super Seller Competition. This competition is open to active students or fresh graduates within a maximum of one year after graduation who have been running a business for at least six months, with products being goods that can be shipped using courier services. Ten finalists will receive incubation funds of 20 million rupiah each, while the three main winners will receive prizes of 100 million, 75 million, and 50 million rupiah, plus business savings accounts from BCA worth 25 million rupiah each.

Not only capital support, participants also have the opportunity to get direct insights from the judges. Through the experience and perspectives of the judges, young entrepreneurs are expected to better understand their product’s potential, recognize market needs, and formulate more relevant and targeted business development steps.

“We understand that the challenges for young entrepreneurs do not stop at the courage to start a business. When the venture is running, they need access to development platforms, capital support, and relevant mentoring so that their business can grow more directionally. Through the J&T Super Seller Competition, we hope to open opportunities for students and fresh graduates to develop their business potential and take their businesses to the next level.”

Registration for the J&T Super Seller Competition is open for free until June 13, 2026. Terms and conditions can be accessed.

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J&T Super Seller Competition

The J&T Super Seller Competition is an annual e-commerce event organized by J&T Express in China, designed to recognize and reward top-performing online sellers. It highlights the growth of cross-border e-commerce, with participants competing based on sales volume, customer service, and operational excellence. The competition reflects J&T’s expansion from a logistics provider into a platform supporting digital commerce and seller development.

BCA

BCA, which commonly stands for the British Council Association or the BCA (Bharatiya Chitra Sadhana) in some contexts, is not a single well-known cultural site. However, in Indonesia, BCA refers to Bank Central Asia, a major private bank founded in 1957, which has played a significant role in the country’s economic development. If you meant a specific cultural or historical site, please provide more details for an accurate summary.