Student Stories

“Always dream big.” – Vanya

Could you share with us briefly about your company PT Dinasti Kreator Cantik Indonesia (DKCIndo)?

In 2015, I started my YouTube Career and chose beauty as my main genre. At that time, there were very few people in Indonesia who were sharing beauty content on YouTube (most of them were using blogs). It felt quite lonely. So, I started to look out for more people who have the same interest and ask them to create and publish beauty videos on YouTube.

At first, there were only 12 of us and we formed into a community called Indonesian Beauty Vlogger Community (IBV). We use YouTube and Instagram (@indobeautygram) to encourage others to share their passion for beauty through videos. As time went by, we continued to grow and since 2017, we are the biggest beauty creator community in Indonesia.

In 2019, I found out that there was room for improvement within the Indonesian beauty industry. So, at the same time, I built PT DKCIndo as an agency and advertising company that would handle, create, manage (and more) beauty campaigns both online and offline for various brands in Indonesia. It is an honour for us to be able to work with local companies such as Joylab, Luxcrime, Mizzu, Paragon Group etc. and International brands such as Nivea (Biersdorf), Cetaphil, Traveloka, Tokopedia, Shopee, L’oreal Group, and more.

What are the biggest challenges you faced when starting your business?

For me, the biggest challenge is always to bring something new and fresh to the industry. But that is the fun part and that has become the main reason as to why I do this. Yes, there is a huge responsibility as we need to reach high KPIs that’s expected by these huge companies, but I believe that when we are giving something unique, enjoyable and high quality to the table, we are able to reach those KPIs in the blink of an eye.

Besides managing DKCIndo, you manage your own digital persona, Minyo33, as well. How do you juggle both at the same time?

I always try to wake up early and to stop working before 10PM. It sounds like an easy thing to do but believe me, it’s not. As both things I do are something I really like, I could easily get lost in time and I’ve gone through so many burnouts, so that’s why balance is much needed. Technically speaking, on a daily basis, I dedicate the first half of the day to work on my personal content and after lunch onwards, I go to my office to work on DKCIndo. That is by far the best time management for me.

You will upload content on YouTube and Instagram twice weekly. Are there times that you run out of ideas? Where and how do you search for inspiration and content?

Yes, during burnouts, it’s so hard to get inspired. And when I realise that I’m in that kind of situation, I always try to give myself time to relax, step back, and clear my mind for some time.

When it has all pass, the inspiration could come from anywhere, and just at any time. Usually, if an idea struck me, I always note it down on my phone and I check back on it just in case I am running out of ideas.

What do you consider to be your biggest achievement?

There are many moments that I think of as my biggest achievements. I have been awarded as Indonesia’s Best Female Creator of the year in 2017, and as a YouTube official ambassador. I also had the opportunity to go around Indonesia to teach fellow creators on how to build a YouTube channel, create an empowerment song called “Pretty Real” with music videos, and also stage a performance for YouTube FanFest in 2018 (just imagine your “beauty gurus” creating and singing a song. What a wild idea!)

Plus, the process only took three months, and I have been well surprised because I was able to merge both the beauty and music industry together. Of course, it’s an honour for me to be able to work with big names in the music industry. I got to pitch ideas to YouTube so we (beauty creators) could get a “stage”, and to pitch the idea to fellow music creators. We made the impossible, possible!

But the biggest achievement of them all is actually the appreciation from fellow beauty creators. At one and many points of time, they thanked me personally for successfully managing a good ambiance in this beauty industry and being someone, they look up to. It was the biggest surprise as I didn’t do it intentionally. All I have is just pure love for them and being their biggest cheerleader when they achieve something or create something amazing and inspiring. That small thing has become the habit in this beauty industry, we cheer each other on  and are always there for each other. Being someone who can bring good influence is indeed my biggest achievement.

What advice would you give to our current students who are interested in starting their own business or YouTube Channel?

Don’t be afraid to press record. After you press it, and actually put your mind to it, your journey will begin, and you will be surprised. Also, keep an open mind and don’t be shy to learn new things. Enjoy the process and always find excitement in things. That’s what keeps me going, and I hope for you too!

In what ways have your education with PSB Academy added value to your personal development and professional opportunities?

I took a Marketing and Management programme, so it’s very useful for me to create my own brand “Minyo33” and build my own company. Learning at PSB Academy has taught me to always be excited by new things. Not only academically, but also in my social life.

Share a personal quote or mantra you live by.

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” ― Norman Vincent Peale.

Always dream big, and when an idea terrifies you, it’s a sign that BIG THINGS are coming your way.