Stories

Paths to entrepreneurship are limitless. Get inspired by real life stories told by entrepreneurs who run their own businesses.

2021

More stories coming up during the campaign.

Anna

Entrepreneur & Consultant

"You don’t need to be perfect to start something; you just need to start."

Auri

CEO, Hair by Auri

"Failure is real but embrace it. No one gets it right on the first try."

Daniel

Managing Director, Sisu Digital

"Freedom requires you to be disciplined and self-motivated."

Eija and Jo

Founders, Jolie Lounge & Café

"If you start a business with your friend, it is crucial that you agree on the common rules for your partnership."

Erika

Founder, Lempihetki Oy

"Entrepreneurship can be about something very simple, and many times doesn’t need a great amount of investment."

Evon

Founder & Group CEO, HUONE

"As an entrepreneur, you’re on a rollercoaster ride and there’s bound to be bumpy patches."

Florence

Founder, Florence

"You need to be very perseverant not give up even during the hard times."

Henrik & Johannes

Founders, Droppe

"Advice for all entrepreneurial minds: just to go out there."

Iida

Founder, Kamupak

"All entrepreneurs play a crucial role in building a more sustainable future."

Jessica

Founder, Karjalan Kelo

"There is no one-size-fits-all guide to entrepreneurship."

John

CEO & Founder, JoSa Consulting

"If you are not ready to fail or accept failure, then you are not ready to succeed."

Juho

CEO beyond arctic

"Even after some hardships, I still recommend entrepreneurship to all."

Julio

co-founder, Oladesign

"Entrepreneurship is a very rewarding career choice."

Kati

Founder, FloweRescue

"One of the toughest lessons about entrepreneurship is that sales can make it or break it."

Katri

Treenimiks tmi

"Even the nice things turn into stress if you do them too much."

Kristian

CEO & Founder, Meru Health

"For me, mental health is far more than just business."

Leena

Founder, Urofysio

"Don’t give up when the first hardship comes your way."

Linda

Founder, Redanredan

"Entrepreneurship is the most versatile job there is."

Lumi

CEO & co-founder, HAVU Cosmetics

"The whole job is about becoming an expert on a new topic every day."

Maria

entrepreneur & creative director, Foodin

"Listen and learn from others, but only do things that feel good to you and are right for you."

Markku

Craftsman

"The most important thing I have learned is that there isn’t just one way of being an entrepreneur."

Matilde

co-founder & creative director, Monochrome

"Start a business with someone you can trust 100 %."

Micah

Founder, Ugly Cookie

"Even if you don’t want to become an entrepreneur, I encourage everyone to adopt a more entrepreneurial mindset not only in our work but overall in our lives."

Milla and Efe

Founders, Femma Planning

"With the help of our own company, we can be involved in building a future in line with our own values."

Niko

CEO & Co-founder, calqulate

"Entrepreneurs can set an example of how to increase diversity, multiculturalism, equality and inclusion in society."

Paavo

CEO & Founder, Särkifood

"I’m a better person after this journey, that’s for sure. "

Paula

Founder, Remake

"My best tip for other aspiring entrepreneurs is not to do it alone!"

Rami

Founder, Laavu Performance

"You are not your company – you are just the one building it."

Saana

CEO & cleaner, Koti Puhtaaksi Oy

"The support network is the most important thing for entrepreneurs out there."

Tiina

Founder, Luomuhonen

"Getting started requires a few people who believe in you and your idea, but the most important thing is your own will. It can get you through even a grey stone."

Windi

CEO & founder, Resistomap

"The good thing is that you can always learn and often entrepreneurship is just that – learning on the fly."

2020

Anttoni Aniebonam

Anttoni

co-founder & CEO of Veri (Human Engineering Health Oy)

"I think the people you work with are at the centre of everything."
Arto Sivonen

Arto

Måndag, Founder

“The myth about entrepreneurship being rough is false. It can be if that is what you want to make it.”
Carita Peltonen

Carita

Metsä/Skogen, Founder

“Sustainable business is the only option for the future.”
Cyrus Jebraeil

Cyrus

Polaris Kielipalvelut Oy, Founder & CEO

“It's rewarding to successfully build something of your own that benefits the entire community.”
Dakota Robin

Dakota

Diversity & Connection Expert

"Anyone can be an entrepreneur. If it sounds like something you would like, just go for it and try."
Faisa Egge

Faisa

Amanihoiva Kotihoito Oy, Founder & CEO

“I want to have an influence on things every day.”
Jenna Venäläinen

Jenna

Pikku Gubbe Music Club, Founder

“Entrepreneurship is a personality, a state of mind and a passion.”
Jenni Alava

Jenni

Alava Shop, founder & CEO

"There are entrepreneurs in my family and my desire for entrepreneurship has always been strong and it did not disappear when I went bankrupt on my first attempt."

Jonatan

founder & CEO of Kokku

"It is easier to paddle in a storm if you know which way you are going."
Jukka Jokiniemi

Jukka

Innojok, Founder & CEO

“Getting fired eventually proved to be the biggest stroke of luck in my life.”
Karin Nars

Karin

Dinolift Oy, CEO

“Everyone can be an entrepreneur.”
Laura Vatanen

Laura

Partners at Noste, Founder & CEO

“In entrepreneurship, only the sky is the limit – and your own courage.”

Laura

Dagsmark Petfood Oy, Co-founder & CEO

“Without crazy courage, nothing new would ever emerge!”
Naomi and Wanda

Naomi & Wanda

Ataá Agency, Co-founders

"Representation and different role models are the key to young people being able to pursue bigger dreams."

Paulus

Seidat & Buorre, Founder, CEO & Co-founder

"As an entrepreneur, you have a different kind of an opportunity to change the world."
Pinja Ekola

Pinja

Siivouspalvelu Ekola, Founder

"Not all of this has been easy, but blimey, those successes feel good when they come."

Polina

student, entrepreneur, co-founder, The Modest Online

"We live in such a fast-paced world that if we don’t take action right away, someone else will get there first."
Priscilla Osei

Priscilla

Studiopeee, Founder

“Don’t wait till you know Finnish before you start your own business.”
Sandra

Sandra

Gubbe, Co-founder & CEO

"The idea for senior services stemmed from my own grandmother, who is over 90 years old and lives alone."

Siva

founder, Vöner

"I wouldn't change a day."
Tarnjit Saini and Sanni Ishfaq

Tarnjit & Sanni

StepOut, Co-founders

Entrepreneurship was the only way forward for us to be able to make a difference while creating value.

More entrepreneurship stories coming up during the campaign. ✨

Tell your entrepreneurship story on social media with the hashtag #IStartedThis.

The campaign needs your help: Tell your story about entrepreneurship with the hashtag #IStartedThis during the campaign period 30.8.-24.9.2021. e.g. on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.

You can share your story in any format you like and e.g. answer to one of these questions:

Why did you become an entrepreneur? What entrepreneurship means to you? What’s rewarding in entrepreneurship and what’s difficult on the other hand? What is driving you forward? Have you faced any stereotypes or myths about entrepreneurship that you would like to change?