Five IPB University students participating in the Student Entrepreneurship Program (PMW) have made a creative breakthrough in the merchandise sector. Through their brand, Tautan Kecil, they have successfully introduced a new innovation in the world of campus souvenirs.
Tautan Kecil Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dinar Ayu Rengganis explained that her creative venture was born as a solution to the limited selection of campus souvenirs, which have long been considered monotonous and out of touch with current trends. According to her, the current selection of merchandise is limited and tends to be similar, offering consumers few alternatives.
“Our initial motivation was to increase the diversity of IPB University merchandise innovations so they wouldn’t be boring, especially for students’ families living outside the island who want unique, signature IPB University souvenirs,” said the student from the Department of Mathematics at IPB University.
Based on the results of their internal survey, 67 percent of respondents rated the current campus merchandise designs as ordinary and monotonous. According to Tautan Kecil, this situation has led to low student interest in purchasing campus souvenirs, in fact, many feel confused about which items to choose, ultimately deciding not to buy anything.
Tautan Kecil’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Melly Diya Lestari, stated that Tautan Kecil offers signature products such as knitted dolls and bag charms (shaped like fish or flowers) featuring iconic campus motifs, such as dolls wearing the university’s alumni jacket combined with modern designs. These products complement the signature IPB University souvenirs already on display at the IPB Merchandise Store.
Melly added that the market potential for these knitted products is significant, particularly among active IPB University students. Internal survey results indicate that approximately 62,3 percent of respondents expressed a high interest in owning knitted dolls featuring the campus’s unique characteristics.
“We plan to collaborate with IPB Merchandise to sell them there. We’re also implementing a marketing strategy through digital platforms like Instagram to boost sales. What sets our products apart is that they feature campus or academic program identities something that competitors on marketplaces haven’t widely offered yet,” said Melly, a student in the Department of Food Science and Technology at IPB University.
Tautan Kecil is managed by five active IPB University students. Besides Dinar and Melly, the other three students are Felicia Meliana as Chief Operations Officer, Tiara Natamaharani as Product Officer, and Zahra Maulida Sihaloho. Although they are not from an art major, the Tautan Kecil team’s skill in crocheting dolls demonstrates that IPB University students possess extraordinary talent capable of turning creativity into a source of additional income. (MHT) (IAAS/WSG)
