They say you can’t pour from an empty cup. For me, meeting incredible people and hearing their stories is exactly how I refill mine. It’s how I get my vibe back. And that’s the energy I brought with me when I met Pak Gita Wirjawan, Pak Harman Subakat, and Kak Alfatih Timur at the End Game takeover of Beauty Science Tech yesterday.

The discussion kicked off with a cool perspective from Pak Gita about global innovation. On one side, you have Silicon Valley, where innovation is born from deep dialogues with academics. On the other, you have China, where innovation is born from relentless hard work.

But what about Indonesia? What about Paragon and Kitabisa?


Innovation is Close to Home

Pak Harman shared that from the very beginning, Pak Subakat Hadi instilled the spirit of TQM (Total Quality Management). Sounds technical, right? But the core of it is simple: involvement. At Paragon, employees aren't objects to be ordered around. They are subjects of change. The culture of "Sumbang Saran" (Contributing Ideas) was created so that everyone’s voice could be heard.

But the part that hit me the hardest was their definition of innovation, "Innovation means you becoming a better person every single day."

So, innovation isn't just about sophisticated machines or flashy new brands. Innovation is close. And most importantly, innovation at Paragon has beautiful boundaries, "Make whatever you want, except what is forbidden by God. Everything can be changed, except God’s verses."

Paragon’s five values: Divinity, Care, Humility, Resilience, and Innovation. They aren't just wall decorations. For Pak Harman, we innovate not just to make a profit, but because we are servants of God tasked with making improvements on this earth. So deep, for real!


Listening to Yourself

One thing Kak Alfatih highlighted and it really made me think long and hard was Pak Harman’s humility. When his team pitches an idea, he simply asks back, "What do you think?"

It’s a simple question, but so powerful. It’s a form of validation. It’s a form of listening. Kak Alfatih added that besides listening to the team and users, a true innovator must also be able to listen to themselves.

That hit different. As someone directly involved in business, I often ignore this. Sometimes I’m so focused on creating products the market accepts that I forget to make space to accept myself as I am.

In reality, the business process should help us know ourselves better, not just make us famous. By listening to ourselves, we can run a business with a sense of joy.


On Family Business and Strengthening Each Other

Okay, this part felt the most personal to me!

As someone who is also navigating a family business, watching the dynamic between Pak Harman and his siblings felt so warm.

There was a moment when Pak Harman shared that one of Paragon’s most "out-of-the-box" campaign ideas actually came from his younger brother, Pak Salman Subakat. And seeing how Pak Salman and dr. Sari Chairunnisa were there to show their support. It was honestly so sweet.

Seeing the bond between the Subakat siblings got me all fired up again. It turns out, a family business can be managed that professionally without losing the warmth of brotherhood. They support each other, fill in the gaps, and share the same vision.

This became a reminder for me to keep fighting alongside my family, growing what we have started together.


Knowledge, Hope, and Reality

Pak Harman brought up a hard truth about today's world, "Technology moves faster than our ability to adapt."

The key isn't just hoarding knowledge (because its relevance is short-lived). What we need to build is Systems Thinking. Paragon uses the concept of AII (Amati or Observe, Improve, Innovate). Not only just copying, but also making a better version.

Then, about leadership, Pak Harman has a unique view. Usually, people say a leader needs a "North Star" as a guide. But he’s critical of that. "Why a North Star? Aren't there 8 directions of the wind?"

To him, a leader should be like the Sun. Not fixed in just one direction.

On the other hand, Kak Alfatih reminded us of the harshness of reality by quoting Mike Tyson, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face."

We all have plans until reality "punches" us. And when that happens, logic often tells us to quit because the facts look grim. This is where hope becomes a struggle. It’s easy to have hope when things are smooth, but how do we keep it alive when the reality on the ground is crushing us?

The answer was so poetic, "Naivety is the faith of ordinary people."

To create something new, we do need a little "naivety." It’s that naivety that makes us brave enough to take the first step without too much fear.


People are The Soul

There was one more fact that I just couldn't get over. Imagine this! Paragon now has thousands of employees, but Pak Harman Subakat, Pak Subakat Hadi, and Ibu Nurhayati Subakat still make time to get directly involved in recruitment.

Why? Because for them, people are the main thing.

They are fully aware that business isn't just about machines or marketing strategies, but about the humans who move them. They want to ensure that anyone entering the "home" of Paragon doesn't just have a smart brain, but a heart aligned with the company’s values.

I absolutely love this approach. Guarding the front door is the best way to care for the culture so it doesn't fade with time. Skills can be trained, but character and trust are priceless.


AI and The Value of Feeling

In the middle of all this deep talk about innovation, one big question about AI popped up. Will machines eventually replace the human touch?

Kak Alfatih’s answer was calming, "AI will never replace values."

Why? Because authenticity can be felt. Sincerity has a frequency that only the human heart can catch, not an algorithm. AI might be able to process data, but it cannot conserve the good things and noble values we hold. That is our job, the humans.


Hearing the Unspoken

Pak Harman’s message to his product team also left a mark on me. He doesn't ask his team to just read market data or satisfaction surveys. He asks for more, "You must be able to hear what isn't spoken, and understand what isn't conveyed."

This is the highest level of empathy. Innovation born from this place isn't just about selling goods anymore. It’s about answering the restlessness of someone's heart.


Don't Forget Bismillah

After a discussion filled with such high-level concepts, the closing advice from Pak Harman was surprisingly grounded,

"Don't forget to pray and say Bismillah 3x before stirring the machine."

It was a beautiful reminder that at the end of the day, we are just humans trying our best. Technology can advance, strategies can be brilliant, but blessings start when we involve God in the process. It’s the invisible ingredient that makes the work meaningful.

Walking away from this event, I honestly couldn't wait to join hands with my three sibling, stepping forward with full hearts, strengthening each other, just like Pak Harman and his siblings.


Thank you Pak Gita Wirjawan, Pak Harman Subakat, and Kak Alfatih Timur for sharing such incredible insights!



P.S. I also love watching people go up to the speakers afterwards to introduce themselves and connect.