Our Story
Tomi: I began my journey with Valmista in the spring of 2020, during a time when I was juggling my 9 to 5 job, pursuing my MBA, and preparing for the arrival of my first child with my wife. Long story short, we desperately needed our windows cleaned to create a brighter future for our child. With us expecting, leading busy lives, and not being well-versed in window cleaning, we decided to find a window cleaning company to hire for the job. I thought it should be simple since we have Google. Yet, the challenge was more difficult than I expected. Living in Lappeenranta, a small city in a small country, it took me about an hour to locate a service. Out of the four companies I contacted, only one responded, and that too after several days. This frustrating experience highlighted a gap in the market for reliable and quality service providers. I thought there should be a better way.
Around this time, Tero, a friend from my MBA class, and I were exploring business ideas. We both recognized similar difficulties in the service sector and began brainstorming solutions. We noted that the nature of work, whether in IT or other fields, is shifting towards project-based models rather than lifelong employment at a single company. This observation further fueled our desire to innovate and led to the conceptualization of Valmista.
Tero: Reflecting on my own story, I grew up as a farmer’s boy and did a lot of different handyman jobs while growing up. I quite enjoyed my side hustle, but when I started corporate life, I stopped doing such work.
However, while working in the corporate world, I engaged in a lot of intrapreneurship for the companies I worked for. Now that I think about it, I still had that desire for a money-making side hustle. Out of curiosity, I searched online: was it possible to do this online? I couldn’t think of a Finnish platform that catered to that, especially for gig work and handyman-type stuff.
After our discussions with Tomi about the idea of creating a Service Provider platform, I thought that I would use such a platform! Why not? I would be happy to use it both as a Service Provider and a Customer. I thought I would be happy to also provide others with the same opportunity, especially young people.
That brought us closer to the Valmista idea. Along the way, we wondered why, until this time, Finland did not have such well-known platforms. We thought it could be due to our culture of doing things ourselves, which is not problematic; that is something we are proud of. But at the same time, we saw nothing wrong with receiving a service, as it contributes to the economy and one’s well-being.
Then our mind was set. We were going to continue with Valmista and take it where it goes. One of my dreams is to create a world-known Finnish company, and I think Valmista can be that company. I would be happy to see that.
Armida: My collaboration with Valmista began when I embarked on my Masters’ thesis and sought a company to conduct it with. My thesis supervisor suggested immediately Totemi investment and provided me with their contact information. Intrigued, I researched both the company and Valmista itself. Eager to learn more, I reached out to Tero and Tomi, sparking the beginning of a promising journey.
Together with Tero and Tomi, we made the decision for me to conduct my thesis and research for them. The focus? Customer experience- an important aspect in today’s service-oriented landscape.
Now after my graduation, I am thrilled to announce that I have become a partner and a marketing specialist here in Valmista. My confidence in Valmista’s success is unwavering, and I firmly believe that this platform will not only thrive but also become synonymous with excellence. As I look ahead, I am filled with anticipation for the boundless opportunities that lie ahead.
Vuong: Hi everyone! Continuing the story, I’m Vuong, the Marketing Specialist here at Valmista. Originally from Vietnam, I’ve called Finland home for the past four years. While I miss the bustling energy of Vietnamese cities, I’ve grown to love the peacefulness and efficiency of life here.
Coming from a different cultural background, I bring a unique perspective to the Valmista marketing strategy. I’m passionate about using my marketing skills to bridge the gap between service providers and customers, making it easier for everyone to connect and get the services they need.
Hearing Tomi’s story about his struggles finding a window cleaner really resonated with me. It’s these kinds of everyday frustrations that Valmista aims to solve. I’m excited to be a part of this journey and contribute to building a platform that empowers both service providers and customers in Finland and beyond!
