By : Leonard Christian | NIM 2702247140

Lecturer : Irene Teresa Rebecca Hutabarat, S.MB., M.M.

Entrepreneurship Market Validation is a course that truly challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and experience what it means to build something from the ground up. Even though I had already chosen my team before the course began, I quickly realized that knowing people personally does not always guarantee a smooth working process. Leadership, communication, and collaboration turned out to be just as important as the idea itself.

Our first major challenge was finding a business idea that was not related to food or beverages. This limitation pushed us to think more creatively and critically. Through long discussions and multiple eliminations, we eventually arrived at Stubstand—an idea that felt right for our team. That brainstorming phase taught me an important lesson: without strong communication and alignment, progress can be slow. However, once everyone was on the same page, our ideas started to flow more effectively.

The second stage, developing the product itself, taught me the true value of teamwork. Designing, refining, and testing our concept required continuous discussion and compromise. There were moments when things didn’t work as planned, but those moments helped shape the final result. I realized that collaboration doesn’t just make the work lighter—it makes the outcome stronger.

The final and perhaps most eye-opening stage was selling the product. This phase showed me how much preparation matters, from booth layout and visual presentation to communication style and customer engagement. I learned how important it is to understand customer behavior, attract attention, and create a welcoming experience. Selling is not just about offering a product—it’s about telling a story and building trust.

Looking back, this journey was not without its challenges, both individually and as a team. However, those challenges became the most valuable part of the experience. This course taught me not only about entrepreneurship, but also about leadership, problem-solving, and growth. As a CEO, I learned that progress comes from collaboration, adaptability, and the willingness to learn from every obstacle. This experience has truly shaped my perspective on building something meaningful from the ground up.