From Insult to empire: sudhamek’s Story of Resilience
Capital — may 14, 2025 —
The story of Sudhamek Agoeng Waspodo Soenjoto is one of remarkable transformation. The chairman of PT GarudaFood Group, a major Indonesian food and beverage company, was once targeted with the harsh insult of “kere” – meaning poor. this incident,occurring during his school years,sparked an unyielding determination that shaped his future success and fueled his rise to become a leading business figure. For more on Sudhamek’s journey, read on.
From Insult to Empire: The Sudhamek Story
May 14, 2025
The Sting of “Kere”
Sudhamek Agoeng Waspodo Soenjoto, now chairman of PT GarudaFood Group and one of Indonesia’s wealthiest individuals [[3]], once faced a deeply personal insult during his school years. The derogatory term, kere
(meaning “poor” or “broke”), struck a nerve so profound that it fueled his ambition and ultimately shaped his path to success [[1]].
The Confrontation
The incident occurred after Mr. Sudhamek drove a friend, the son of a tea factory owner in Slawi, home.The friend’s brother confronted him, uttering the offensive word. Mr. Sudhamek recounted the moment:
When I left with his sister because of one generation, when he returned, his brother was waiting in front of the garage ‘from where?’, The bad thing is the ends, ‘Don’t have to go with the kere’, wow it’s really painful.
At the time, there was a clear disparity in their circumstances. I was still riding a bicycle at that time he had riding (motorbike) Honda, a Honda whose CC was big, and indeed he was rich in size at that time.
From Anger to Action
The insult led to a physical altercation.Finally we fought physically. Yes, it was the same as a man.He was in grade 2, I was in grade 1 of high school at that time, not until he was injured, a little bruised bruised.
Distraught, Mr. Sudhamek shared the experience with his mother,whose reaction further fueled his resolve. I remember, when my mother knew my mother was crying.My mother was really in love with her children. If her child was hurt more than she was hurt.
This emotional moment became a turning point. I am basically there is a nature that I feel lucky. When I suffered an inner wound, emotional continuously, I automatically I continued to fight with the form of anger I changed into energy.
The Transformation
Mr. Sudhamek channeled his anger and disappointment into a powerful drive to succeed. Anger, disappointed, insulted, and so on that I changed to energy for me to prove that I am not what they imagine, I think so. Well there is a competitive nature.
His efforts paid off. His former peers now acknowledge his achievements. If I look good at Whatsapp Group with junior high school, high school, then yesterday there was a reunion, I could feel for them I was recognized as one of the triumphant friends, but as I still behaved humble to them, so they accepted me well.
GarudaFood Today
Today, Sudhamek Agoeng Waspodo Soenjoto leads Garudafood Putra Putri Jaya, a company with notable influence in the Indonesian market. His journey from a slighted student to a prominent business leader serves as an inspiring exmaple of resilience and determination [[3]].
FAQ
- Who is Sudhamek Agoeng Waspodo Soenjoto? He is the chairman of PT GarudaFood Group, a major food and beverage manufacturer in Indonesia [[2]].
- What was the insult he faced? He was called
kere
, a derogatory term meaning “poor” or “broke” [[1]]. - How did he respond to the insult? He channeled his anger and disappointment into a drive to succeed, ultimately transforming his life and career.
