Erwin Owan Hermansyah (38 year) started a small
mini-store in 1991 In 1999, he had run the Indomaret franchise as one of the
most prominent mini-market franchise in Indonesia. In addition, he also
operated the Laudrette laundry service and Roti Unyil (Unyil Bread). He also
opened telecommunication shops and provided rental rooms for beauty accessories
counters, ACs and motorcycles outlets. He also cooperated with his younger
brother in opening internet shops and multiplexes (computer games using local
area network). Erwin continued to open some new businesses, although in small
scales.

In 1998, Erwin faced some various financial
problems. The economical crisis hitting countries in South East Asia had caused
big devaluation of Indonesian rupiah exchange rate against US dollar, In July
1997, exactly before the crisis, the exchange rate was US $ 1 = Rp 2,500. In
early of 1998, US $ 1 = Rp 15.000 or average about Rp 10.000 for the most of
the time that year. The monetary crisis hit the most fundamental businesses in
Indonesia. This business also influenced Erwin’s stores.