“In Kainuu, you can be yourself, do meaningful work and enjoy life.” Mari Möttönen, CEO, Kainuun Yrittäjät
I am Mari Möttönen, who has traveled the world and found her soul home in Kainuu 17 years ago. Today, I am the CEO of Kainuun Yrittäjät.
I was born in Kiuruvesi, Savo, but from a young age I had a strong longing for the “big world”. I loved languages and was interested in different cultures – going abroad seemed like a natural goal. During high school, I spent a year as an exchange student in the United States, and although I graduated with excellent grades, I didn’t see myself building a career at that time, especially in Finland. Instead, I purposefully looked for ways to get out into the world.
I started studying German translation and interpreting at the University of Tampere, but my heart was still drawn elsewhere. The opportunity soon came: a combination of a desire for adventure, a passion for horses, and an advertisement in the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper took me to train at a riding stable in Germany.
What was planned to be a few months trip eventually stretched to eleven years. During that time, I completed a commercial education, worked as an export assistant, started a family – and later also my own company. I spoke German like a native and was well integrated into society. I never really imagined returning to Finland.
However, after starting a family, I began to miss many things about Finnish society: the smooth flow of everyday life, the support networks of society, and the familiar culture. I began to wonder where in Finland it would be good to start over. Kainuu began to attract me – especially the smallness of the province, its tranquility, and the quality of life appealed after years in Central Europe. I moved to Kainuu with two small children in 2008. I wanted to offer my children a safe environment similar to the one I had grown up in in the Savo countryside.
I have not regretted my decision for a day.
I quickly found a job at a local development company, where I worked on business development projects. In addition to work, I also returned to my studies and graduated with a Master of Philosophy from the University of Oulu in 2014. In Kainuu, I have worked in various business and regional development positions all the time, and there has always been work for those who want it. Today, I am the CEO of Kainuun Yrittäjät – a role where I can now combine all my experience: supporting entrepreneurs, regional development and, for me, important organizational work.
My career path has not been planned in any way – I have let life take me and grabbed different opportunities with an open mind. It has always taken me forward, even though the path has not been straightforward. There have been challenges, such as starting a new life after returning from abroad and balancing work and being a single parent. However, they have taught me to trust that things will work out. I believe that if you do your job well and with your heart, the next step will come at the right time – and you don’t need to know everything in advance.
I think Finnish working life is much more flexible than, for example, in Germany, which I have experienced myself. Balancing work and family has gone well in Kainuu, and daycare has been a great relief. As a single parent, I have always received flexibility and understanding from my employers — working hours have been adjusted to the needs of the children, and teleworking has been viewed positively even before it became common. This has enabled career development without family life suffering.
If Kainuu seems like the right place, don’t hesitate! I myself left the world when I was young, but I found my soul home here. In Kainuu, you can be yourself, do meaningful work and enjoy life. The balance between everyday life and work works, and there is a strong sense of community both in the workplace and in the villages.
In my opinion, Kainuu and Kainuu working life have developed in an increasingly inspiring and dynamic direction in recent years. People here genuinely want to develop their own residential area and ensure its vitality – and this is also reflected in working life. When the environment and services are developed, it is ultimately done for themselves and their own everyday lives. That is why work is done here with great heart and enthusiasm.
The best thing about Kainuu is that everything you need is close by, so you can get a lot done in a day. Kajaani’s slogan 26/7 is true: everyday life goes smoothly when the transitions between home, work and hobbies are short. People are another strength. The sense of community is genuine, and what seemed oppressive when I was young – that everyone knows everyone – is now a great advantage. Things are done quickly, networks are created easily, and cooperation goes smoothly.
And it must be emphasized that although Kainuu is often profiled through nature, everyday life is particularly supported by the diverse sports opportunities. I have found an important community among them: I enable children to practice gymnastics, and I work as a coach and judge. This is incredibly meaningful to me – and also a way to promote the vitality and community of the area.
Text and photos: Mari Möttönen
