Entrepreneurship Brought Flexibility and Freedom to Everyday Life
The idea and desire to be self-employed had always been with Janka, who grew up in an entrepreneurial family. Even so, finding the right business idea took time.
“I always knew I wanted to become an entrepreneur, but I didn’t know what kind of business I wanted to start,” Janka says.
Eventually, the idea developed together with her spouse: they would establish a business as a team. Today, both work full-time at Inarin Kylmähuolto. Janka is responsible for administration, finance, and marketing, while her spouse, Joonas, takes care of the practical fieldwork.
Family life and work are closely intertwined for Janka. She feels that entrepreneurship has brought freedom to her daily life, allowing her to work according to her own rhythm while also spending more time with her children.
Valuable Support from Municipal Business Advisors in the Early Stages
Before founding their company, Janka and her spouse contacted the municipality’s business advisor. One particular meeting has stayed with her ever since.
“The business advisor asked us when we were planning to start operating. We replied, ‘Maybe in a year or two.’ The advisor looked at us for a long moment and then asked, ‘What do you expect to change in two years?’ That question really stuck with us, and we ended up taking action much sooner,” Janka recalls.
Jamk's Entrepreneurship Coaching Strengthened Business Thinking
As graduation approached, Janka applied for JAMK University of Applied Sciences’ entrepreneurship coaching programme, which proved to be invaluable support. Together with her coach, she worked on financial planning, pricing, cash flow calculations, and strategic business development.
“It was incredibly important. We received practical tools, templates, advice, and, above all, support. And when the coach told us, ‘You’re doing really well,’ it helped us believe it ourselves.”
The coaching gave her confidence in decision-making and helped the company avoid common pitfalls, such as underpricing its services.
Courage Comes Through Action
Janka clearly remembers how intimidating it felt to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Now she openly shares a lesson that many entrepreneurs learn through experience:
“You can’t wait for the stars to align. At some point, you simply have to start.”
She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to seek help boldly from friends, fellow entrepreneurs, municipal services, and coaching programmes. When you talk about your dream out loud, it gradually begins to become reality.
One of Janka’s greatest insights has been the development of an entrepreneurial mindset:
“Once the fear of becoming an entrepreneur disappeared, I started seeing opportunities everywhere. These days, I find myself thinking about how different businesses operate, what makes them profitable, and what new ideas could be developed.”
Janka’s Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Start somewhere. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to launch your business.
- Talk about your idea. By sharing your business idea and your dream, you will find people who can help you.
- Take advantage of the business services offered by municipalities and educational institutions. They can provide valuable guidance and support along the way.
