Kusmanto was born in Gombong on April 16, 1959. In his youth, he worked hard in traditional markets as a bakpia maker and a porter. Facing an unpredictable income and the hardships of daily life, he knew he had to find a creative way to make a better living. Living near the heart of Yogyakarta, Kusmanto regularly walked past the souvenir and handicraft stalls of Malioboro Street. Driven by curiosity after observing the tourist market, he decided to try making crafts. At first, Kusmanto just fun trying to make leather handicrafts, trusting his creative skills, he designed his very first souvenir product. With a starting capital of just IDR 9,000, Kusmanto took a leap of faith to create and sell his work.

Year after year, his dedication paid off. His production grew step by step, eventually tripling his initial capital. In the early days, he managed his craft business late at night after finishing his day job at a company in Ketandan. As demand grew, Kusmanto opened a workshop named GANGGA Collection and hired a few local artisans. Besides taking raw materials from the local leather shop, the GANGGA Collection’s product also uses leresan, the unused pieces of leather to make small products such as rings. Utilization of these wastes can increase the production quantity with existing materials.

In Early 1990, Kusmanto start increasing the design, production quantity, and quality of goods. Products made increasingly varied as bracelets, rings, necklaces, hairpins, and headbands. The tenacity to make various designs, draw some Italian buyer to cooperate with him. Finally, Kusmanto ventures to resign from his company and do the home business seriously. His sacrifice was not in vain, because foreign buyers from Europe such as Spain and France go more and more. The buyers are satisfied with the smoothness and quality of GANGGA Collection’s product.

From his friend’s Information, Kusmanto recognize APIKRI in 1991, which at that time APIKRI was still a small business with the little order and artisan partners. APIKRI invites collaboration by promoting his products to international buyers. Finally, in 1993 order from APIKRI start comes, so Kusmanto recruits several youth around him as workers. In 1998 is the peak, GANGGA’s earning from APIKRI reach the value of IDR 115,000,000.

Besides material benefits and promotion, the cooperation with APIKRI makes his knowledge and insight improves. Because APIKRI also assist to improves the artisan’s capacity in business development. It known from his active participation in various trainings APIKRI conducted. The vision and mission of APIKRI are jus not profit taking only, but also the business progress of APIKRI’s artisans. Increasing number of orders and buyers make Kusmanto more busy. He often attends seminars, exhibitions and trainings to Bali and other region in Indonesia.

Over time and the rapid progress of handicraft industries, he felt overwhelmed with market competition. The rise of similar product but different in quality and price makes several foreign buyers move to another artisans. The GANGGA Collection’s production start declines in year 2000, because the market prefers to products from other materials.

Kusmanto find opportunities to lift his business up, in cooperation with other trades. At the end of 2006, his income from APIKRI only reaches about IDR 25,000,000. One of his desires is to expand the business by making various samples to faces the market competition and expand the marketing area. His hopes, APIKRI respond and assist his business slump. He remains confident that with passion and adaptability, his business will continue to thrive.