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.

The energy industry is undergoing a major transformation. We are talking more and more about sustainability, electricity availability and adequacy, and the solutions of the future. In the past, people discussed the weather around the coffee table; today, they are increasingly talking about electricity prices. Electricity is a part of our everyday lives, yet we rarely even notice it, except, of course, when it suddenly isn’t there.

We humans have a strange tendency to put things into boxes. Not only other people – but ourselves as well.

We draw boundaries around what we can be. We decide far too early what “belongs” to us and what does not. And often, without even noticing it, we diminish ourselves.

But what if we didn’t?

Customer understanding is a term that is frequently discussed, but what does it actually mean in practice? In sales, the best results rarely come from price-driven campaigns or impressive sales pitches. Instead, they come from the ability to be curious, to listen, and to understand. When customer understanding is in place, both marketing and sales hit their target more effectively.

The optical industry has taken us to many different work environments and taught us a tremendous amount about people, customer service, and entrepreneurship. Together, we have 33 years of experience in the optical field, including work in several optical stores, retail chains, and an eye hospital.

When was the last time you stopped to think about whether what you do truly feels meaningful?

I often pause to reflect on this question myself. In the role of CEO, the meaning of work is not created only through results or numbers, but above all through people and how successfully we create an environment where everyone feels that their work matters and has an impact.

During my long career in the banking industry, I have attended dozens of investment evenings. In events aimed specifically at women, I am always surprised by how different the atmosphere is. While traditional investment evenings often feel somewhat formal and reserved at first, women’s events are filled with lively conversation even before the event begins. Many women arrive with a friend, and the atmosphere is open – and there is never a shortage of questions.