THE COURAGEOUS TRAILBLAZER JENNIFER KARJADI, FOUNDER, THE UNION GROUP

BLAZING THE TRAIL

Jennifer Karjadi has had different careers in her life before becoming a co-founder of The Union Group. It is Jakarta’s gain that she left her career as a stock broker and shoe designer. Together with her partners, she pioneered the opening of independent bars and restaurants such as Cork & Screw and Loewy in Jakarta 12 years ago, foreseeing the opportunity to create accessible establishments with good quality food and high-level service outside hotels. The Union Group currently owns nine brands and 17 establishments in Jakarta, from a New York-inspired steakhouse Bistecca to Union Brasserie, Bakery & Bar – which was ranked 39 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

“We will have two new brands in Jakarta this year. The first to open is Roma, an osteria and bar serving classic Roman dishes, Neapolitan pizzas and classic Italian cocktails. The second one is Pierre, a traditional French bistro in Senopati,” shares Karjadi. The group also aims to bring their existing brands to other cities in Indonesia as well as continue to be the provider of unique products and offerings. She believes in the importance of personal touch, be it by knowing the regular customers by name in the outlets or through promotional strategies. “I have established a team of public relations and marketing managers to make sure that our guests leave satisfied and return again and again,” says Karjadi.

THE OM FACTOR

“I really like this quote by Winston Churchill and I believe this philosophy has brought me this far: ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts’.”