“Yes, of course, I can take care of it!” “No, no, you don't need to do that for me, I'll manage.”

It takes courage to seize opportunities, even when you do not yet know what the outcome will be. Turva’s insurance representatives, Linda Mäkinen and Tuula Hussey, know that a career that reflects who you are is built gradually and with the support of others. When you have people and organisations behind you that you can trust, even major decisions become easier to make. The same idea is at the heart of Turva’s operations: when everyday life is secure, it is easier to smile and live your life courageously in your own way.

Financial well-being is not just about how many euros you have in your bank account. Above all, it is about the feeling that everyday life runs smoothly without constant worry, that the future feels secure, and that you can pursue your dreams at your own pace. At its best, financial stability provides a solid foundation on which to build a life that reflects who you are.

How many people have followed their career plans exactly as they originally intended? I suspect not very many. Neither have I.

In November, the VoimaNaiset 2026 event will arrive in Lahti, with courage, self-confidence, ambition, and working together at its core. Of these, I want to focus on the wonderful Finnish word rohkeus – courage.

There are many paths to entrepreneurship. A business can grow from a long-held dream, a desire to do things in your own way, or simply by chance. One thing many entrepreneurs have in common, however, is that at some point, you have to dare to take the first step.

What would your financial future look like if you looked five or ten years ahead? Would you see a home of your own, the trip you have been dreaming about for a long time, the opportunity to work a little less someday, or above all, the peace of mind that comes from knowing your everyday life is financially secure even when life takes an unexpected turn?

Ten years ago, I found myself in a challenging situation. I had just called off my wedding, which had been planned for a few months later, and moved from Northern Finland to Helsinki. I didn’t know anyone in Helsinki, and I had no work community or other social network – nothing. I sat alone in my small studio apartment in Töölö, wondering what on earth I was going to do.

Cailap’s story began long before I could imagine that one day I would become its CEO.

Are women’s networks and events that strengthen women’s position still needed in today’s working life? I believe the answer is yes.

Product designer Anna Mård-Ek has worked in the automotive industry for 16 years. Today, she works in Ekeri’s Research and Development department in Kållby, where she designs subframes in 3D for transport units with side opening. Working in a technical field has always felt natural to her, although a career in the automotive industry was not something she initially had planned.

I have always been curious about developing myself and exploring new paths. My career has taken me from industry to the world of education and back again. Today, I work as a Project Manager and Team Leader at Solving, where I get to combine technology, leadership, and problem-solving every day. I hope my story can inspire more women to take the leap when a new opportunity comes their way.

In September, I have the privilege of participating as a panelist at the VoimaNaiset event in Jakobstad. The theme feels important – not only because I am a woman myself and have spent many years in working life, but also because the world of work around us is changing rapidly. This raises questions that we need to dare to talk about: What is the situation of women in working life today? Have we become better at creating workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed? And above all – have we become better at allowing people to be themselves?

How did three women from Ostrobothnia end up organizing a seminar in Paris? By dreaming, daring, and working together.

Hanna Tervanen, Key Account Coordinator in Työplus' Marketing and Social Media Team, and Development Coordinator Tiia Bazia will deliver a joint inspirational talk on courageous and constructive teamwork at the VoimaNaiset event in Jakobstad on September 25, 2026.

Starting a business is a dream for many. For some, the business idea comes in a flash, while for others it develops gradually over time. Wherever you are on your entrepreneurial journey, there are often many questions to consider: Is my business idea strong enough? How do I create a business plan? What are the prospects for profitability? What funding and support opportunities are available?

How often do you stop to reflect on your working life, your personal development, and your career? Have you truly taken the time to think about what you're good at, what you're capable of, what you want to develop in yourself and within the organization where you work, what opportunities are available to you, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve and how you want to leave your mark on the world?

When we're young, we're often asked what we want to be when we grow up, as if there's only one path to choose and follow for the rest of our lives. My own working life has shown me that the path is rarely a straight one. Instead, it has been shaped by my interests, opportunities, encounters with people, and the courage to follow what truly feels right in my heart.

I know from personal experience that where you start does not determine how far you can go. What truly makes the difference is your drive, ambition, and willingness to work hard while staying true to your values. My journey has not been a straight path and thankfully so. After all, it's often the detours that teach us the most.

As the saying goes, the world is a small place. According to a theory introduced in the 1960s, any two random people in the world were connected by an average of six degrees of separation. With the rise of social media, that distance has shrunk considerably. According to a Facebook study, anyone is now only about three connections away from anyone else. Networking has never been easier.