A joint summer business of friends brought their own and others’ strengths to light

- It feels like a family business, high school students Sisi Lin, Linnea Pernu and Teresa Tulander laugh when asked what is it like to start a joint business with best friends.

The trio, living in different parts of Espoo, met at Espoo Christian School. Their paths led to different high schools, but the close connection has remained. When Linnea heard about the Kesäyrittäjä programme of Espoo and Economy and youth TAT, she immediately told her friends about the opportunity. For Linnea, who comes from an entrepreneurial family, the idea of entrepreneurship seemed natural, and enticing was hardly needed to get the others to join. The decision to apply for the programme with a joint business idea was made quickly and spontaneously.

- We did not think about it too far. We thought about what could be fun in the summer and what would be in demand. We all have animals, so the idea of caring for pets came easily together.

In addition to pets, they also ended up offering plant care. They named the company Juuret ja hännät (Roots and Tails).

A place in the summer entrepreneur programme finally opened up from a reserve list.

- We were excited because none of us had gotten other summer jobs this year.

Then the actual business planning began. In the business course included in the programme, the themes of entrepreneurship were discussed in a wide and varied manner. However, they needed practical help with their own entrepreneurship. In addition to their own summer entrepreneur mentor, they got support from EnterpriseEspoo.

- There, they clearly explained what exactly we should do and told, for example, what type of company suits us. 

After the initial enthusiasm, the planning and launching of the business turned out to be more work than expected and it had to be adjusted to their other activities during the summer.

- They had to learn to schedule and get things done without external goals and deadlines. When someone got tired or irritated, we would cheer each other on. Alone it would have been much more difficult and challenging.

They recognised a lot of good things from working together:

- Being alone, you wouldn’t be able to take advantage of other people’s strengths. The three of us have more diverse perspectives and we are able to continue each other’s ideas. We haven’t had to argue with each other, but have easily steered in the same direction the whole time.

The roles between the trio were naturally divided. Linnea, interested in creativity and visuals, designed the logo and advertisements, and Teresa became the group’s contact person for the mentor and other parties. Sisi noticed that she brings clarity and pulls together the scattered ideas of others.

- I have usually been more of a listener. Now I am learning to bring out my own opinion more in the team and talk about our business idea to other summer entrepreneurs, for example.

What about the downsides of being entrepreneurs together?

- Running a business with friends is not always different from hanging out together, and there is no pressure to get things going.

They praise their mentor Mia Kilpinen, who helped them set small realistic goals, such as setting up social media accounts and e-mail and planning invoicing.

- Mia gave good feedback on even small steps and made them feel valuable. She believed in our business idea and helped us believe in it too.

According to the trio, the most important thing was the support and a low threshold to start entrepreneurship. Juuret ja hännät did not have any real business this summer yet. However, the company will remain alive and the intention is to prepare for next summer well in advance, when people start booking their holidays in the spring and planning care for their pets.

- We now have the foundation and framework for entrepreneurship: knowledge, some experience and a desire to learn more about, for example, customer acquisition and customer service, Teresa sums up.

After the summer, the perception of entrepreneurship is more realistic and both its requirements and opportunities are recognised.

- Entrepreneurship is suitable for people who want to manage themselves. One must have the ability to create their own goals and plan and implement them. Full-time self-employment seems challenging, but entrepreneurship as a side job would make it possible to do many things at the same time, says Linnea. - In the future, through the company, I could do precisely the kinds of things I want to and which working life might not otherwise allow, for example to realise my own creativity.

In the summer of 2022, 34 young people aged 17–29 participated in the Kesäyrittäjä programme of Espoo and Economy and youth TAT. The programme offers an entrepreneurship course, a supportive community and a mentor, as well as 300 euros in financial support to start own business.

During the week of #RevealYourSkills 5.9.–11.9.2022, the skills that arise in different environments are encouraged to be noticed and made visible. We are in!