Jakarta, 28 January 2026 — The growing mobility of Indonesians abroad, whether for work or further education, has contributed to the emergence of new needs within society. This condition has opened opportunities for the development of cross-border shipping services, particularly for the Indonesian diaspora seeking easier access to send goods from Indonesia.
Recognizing this trend, Phillips Cantona, a student of the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Tarumanagara (Fikom Untar), Class of 2025, seized the momentum by establishing an international shipping service business called GlobalEx. The business serves as a solution for individuals who wish to send goods from Indonesia overseas through a process that is more practical and integrated.
The idea originated from Phillips’ personal experience when he assisted an acquaintance living in the United States in sending items from Indonesia. From this simple experience, Phillips realized that international shipping needs are not merely situational, but represent a strong and continuously growing market potential. He then took the initiative to develop the service into a more structured and professional business.
According to Phillips, one factor contributing to the increasing demand for this type of service is the trend widely discussed on social media through the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu. Although the hashtag often appears as a form of expression or public discussion about global education and career opportunities, its impact can also be seen in the rising number of people who actually depart and temporarily settle abroad. This situation ultimately creates a need to access goods from Indonesia, ranging from personal necessities such as food and local products to items that support daily activities.
On the other hand, Phillips emphasized that building a business while still being a university student is not an easy task. However, he is strongly motivated to achieve financial independence and not rely entirely on his parents. He hopes that his business can become a sustainable source of income while also helping to ease his family’s burden.
“My motivation for running this business is to earn my own income and help my parents. The opportunity is right in front of me, so I want to be brave enough to try,” he said.
Throughout the journey, Phillips has faced various challenges. He noted that competition in the shipping service industry is quite intense, making it necessary to implement a clear and consistent service strategy in order to build customer trust. In addition, the greatest challenges also come from personal aspects, such as maintaining discipline, staying consistent, and managing time effectively amid academic responsibilities.
He believes that running a business requires strong commitment, especially to remain persistent even when results are not immediately visible. For Phillips, perseverance and a sense of responsibility are key factors in continuing to move forward and improving the service over time.
Phillips also holds the principle that faith must go hand in hand with effort and dedication. He believes that building a business is a long journey that requires mental resilience and readiness to adapt to change.
“Sometimes opportunities are right in front of you, but they will mean nothing if you only acknowledge them. Take the risk now, or lose it forever,” he expressed.
Looking ahead, Phillips hopes that the service he has established will continue to grow, expand to more destination countries, and become a reliable solution for Indonesians, particularly those living or working abroad. He also wants his business to serve as proof that university students can play an active role in creating innovation and economic opportunities by having the courage to start from a simple experience.
Through this initiative, Phillips demonstrates that social trends developing in the digital space are not merely topics of conversation, but can also be transformed into real opportunities to build a business and contribute meaningful benefits to the community. (LI/AK)