Marcel Lukman

Overcoming adversity

BORN AND RAISED in Bandung, 32-year-old Marcel Lukman began his journey as an entrepreneur at a very young age. “I started my first business by producing t-shirts when I was in junior high school,” he says. “My father ( Taufik Lukman) was also an entrepreneur and had a garment factory. He passed away when he was just 40 years old, while I was in fourth grade.

“My mother sold the company, but was manipulated by her friends so we lost everything. My family struggled for years. Since then, I have always thought about how to survive and to support my family. I faced many difficulties and obstacles when I started, but they didn’t stop me from pursuing my passion. I was so busy taking care of the business and family, I didn’t go to college after finishing high school. After many setbacks, I met my business partners Nicholas Hideyoshi Schaefer and Thomas Farial, together we grow The 707 Company which was already started since 2006.”

Lukman and Schaefer are the brains behind the retail stores of 707, Standard Denim Supply Co., Art&Science, and the fashion labels Fred Perry, Melissa, Nudie Jeans, Stussy and Superga along with many other brands in Indonesia. Lukman also opened the restaurants Bluegrass in 2011 and J Sparrow’s in 2016, both in Kuningan, South Jakarta.

“I believe that faith, integrity, persistence and uniqueness are the keys to becoming a successful entrepreneur,” says Lukman. “To be honest, I’m still thinking that I’m not successful yet. Success is when we have established a balanced life and can inspire others to do great things in life, and create a legacy for our family and the nation.”