Tjandra Wibowo is her name. My tough friend. Seventeen years ago, when she reached her 30s,
she decided to quit her job as a producer in a well-known TV station. “I want to fathom the
video documenting world,” she said. She brushed aside all the fantastic figure of remuneration
and to-die-for position offers. “I had to start my own journey.”
Then, the journey began with many ups and downs. Her team grew from one, two, and three to
forty. Her company supplied documentary films to various TV stations. Her dream came true.
But life was not always smooth sailing like the words of famous motivators on TV. That success
story nearly faded away. “I was losing a lot. My debt was 6 billion. I almost went mental.”
Her investments in a project were totally stuck. But never call her Tjandra if she got desperate.
She slowly rose, “The debt I had to the investor was paid in installment. I’d rather pay only 10
million than nothing at all. My car, my house, all were sold to pay this debt. But the most
important thing is I am being honest.” Luckily, the investor was her own friends, who were kind
enough to reschedule her terms of payment. She hit the lowest curve when she was left with
no money at all. Then Bondan Winarno (alm) called her up, “I was offered to do this culinary
serial video documentary for Asian Food Channel. Goodness grace…. There was always a way.”
Now Tjandra has fully risen. The debt has nearly all paid off. She rebuilds her team, even more,
solid than ever, “Every time we had a tough time, I remember what my intention was, my
passion in video documentary,” she said.
Just like a journey to a destination, she said, the bus or the train that we ride could break down.
The journey must go on, the transportation mode may be changed. We can take a motorbike,
even on foot, “As long as I have a destination, I will remember, that is the point I am aiming to
reach.”
