Regional Company of the Year 2021

We gratefully accepted this honor awarded by North Karelia Entrepreneurs.

The recipients of the Regional Entrepreneur of the Year award were selected by an award jury, to which the board of North Karelia Entrepreneurs had appointed Jaana Reimasto-Heiskanen, Tapani Hirvonen, Seppo Turunen, and Kyösti Kakkonen.

When Merja Blomberg from the entrepreneurs' association called me about this award, I couldn't believe my ears. Not that we hadn't worked hard for it or deserved it.

In particular, the setbacks brought by the coronavirus have challenged us to develop our operations under certain pressures. We have experienced ups and downs along the way, but together we have overcome them and learned all we could from them.

As an Entrepreneur in Ilomantsi

The recognition made me reflect more deeply on entrepreneurship, especially from the perspective of operating in a small locality. When I stepped into the shoes of an entrepreneur in 2016, I have felt that I received the full support and help of the local entrepreneurs' association whenever I needed it. Communication and openness have been maintained throughout this time. I don't believe that anyone other than another entrepreneur can understand the responsibility and pressure that entrepreneurship brings. Risks must be dared to be taken, and their outcome must be borne.

Together we are more

Alone, we are nothing. A big thank you for the company's success goes to the staff, including those who are no longer part of the company's operations. I feel that every contribution has been an important part of Parppeinpirtti Restaurant's growth and development story. I have gained new insights and, most importantly, I have learned about myself.

Our path is only just beginning, but we have already received many tools for building a common story. This is a good starting point to continue from.

"North Karelia Entrepreneurs ry is an organization for small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs in the region. We act as an advocate and influencer, improving the conditions for profitable operations of SMEs and participating in public discourse by bringing in the voice of SME entrepreneurs. Our work also includes the role of a forum connecting entrepreneurs and stakeholders. You can learn more about our advocacy and influencing work on the Advocacy page.

The entrepreneurs' organization operates on a three-tier system. A member belongs to their local association but receives the benefits of the entire organizational chain with a single membership fee. The umbrella organization, Finnish Entrepreneurs, advocates for the interests of entrepreneurs towards the government, parliament, and key interest groups, as well as in the European Union. Local associations influence municipal and regional decision-making on business policy issues. "

Text quoted from the North Karelia Entrepreneurs website.

Discover more about the activities of the entrepreneurs' association here.

You can read an interview about the topic, written by Jyrki Pönkkä, in Neuvokas magazine.

Read here

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