Finland's family-run businesses often form the economic backbone of small towns, a fact embodied by the 47-year journey of Tilipalvelu Korhonen Ky in Hankasalmi. What began at a makeshift desk in a bedroom corner is now a seven-person expert firm, currently led by the founder's daughters who witnessed its creation firsthand. Their story highlights the resilience of rural entrepreneurship and the personal sacrifices behind a multi-generational enterprise.
The Bedroom Office Beginning
Marjaleena Korhonen made a decisive career change in 1976. She left her job as an agricultural tax preparer at a verification office to become her own boss. Her initial office was a corner of her bedroom, furnished with a writing desk built by her husband and a single cabinet shelf for files. A typewriter and calculator sat on the desk. Her primary motivation was family. 'My family was my priority. As a mother of small children, I thought I could start as an entrepreneur from a home office,' Korhonen recalls. This setup allowed her to blend professional work with domestic life seamlessly during the firm's early years.
Blending Work and Family Life
That integration of work and home became a defining feature of the business's culture. Korhonen's daughters, Marjo Fellows and Heli Pakkanen, who now hold operational leadership roles, have clear memories from their childhood. They note that clients sometimes helped with childcare and would even take baking out of the oven if their mother was occupied. This created a unique, community-supported environment where professional and personal spheres were not rigidly separated. The daughters grew up seeing their mother as both a parent and a professional, a duality that left a lasting impression. 'Mother has been a role model for us,' the sentiment captures the personal inspiration behind the professional succession.
A Gradual Path to Growth
Tilipalvelu Korhonen did not expand overnight. Its growth was incremental, mirroring the steady development of its client base and the increasing complexity of financial regulations. The one-person home office operation slowly evolved, requiring more space and eventually moving from the bedroom to proper business premises. Over the decades, Korhonen navigated economic shifts, technological changes from manual typewriters to digital systems, and the evolving needs of local businesses and individuals in the Hankasalmi region. This gradual scaling allowed the firm to build deep, trust-based relationships within the community, a cornerstone of its longevity.
The Daughters' Takeover
The transition to the second generation was a natural progression rooted in familiarity and respect. Fellows and Pakkanen had observed the business's operations and challenges their entire lives. Their decision to step into leadership roles ensured continuity and preserved the firm's core values while also bringing new energy and perspectives. They understood the foundation their mother had built not just as a business model, but as a lifestyle and a service to the community. Taking over the 'vetovastuu', or primary responsibility, meant committing to both the legacy and the future, balancing traditional accounting practices with modern demands.
Sustaining a Rural Business Model
Operating a specialized service firm in a rural municipality like Hankasalmi presents distinct challenges and opportunities. The clientele is local, and reputation is paramount. The firm's survival and growth over five decades speak to its ability to adapt while maintaining consistent, reliable service. The shift from a solo practitioner to a team of seven specialists indicates a response to growing demand and perhaps a diversification of services, such as consultancy or more complex financial planning. This evolution is critical for rural businesses aiming to retain talent and serve clients who might otherwise look to larger cities for expertise.
The Legacy of Personal Connection
The firm's history underscores a business philosophy where personal connection is a key asset. The early image of clients helping with domestic tasks symbolizes a relationship that transcended a simple service transaction. This deep community embeddedness likely contributed significantly to customer loyalty and referrals. In an age of digital automation and remote services, this personal touch remains a competitive advantage for local firms. It is a model that prioritizes understanding clients' personal circumstances as well as their financial ones, a approach that began when the office was still in the family home.
Looking to the Future
With the second generation now firmly at the helm, Tilipalvelu Korhonen faces a new set of considerations. The daughters must guide the firm through ongoing digital transformation in the financial sector, potential shifts in the local economic landscape, and the perpetual task of attracting young talent to rural areas. Their unique position, having literally grown up with the business, provides them with an intrinsic understanding of its roots while challenging them to innovate. The question becomes how to honour a 47-year legacy of personalised service while ensuring the firm remains viable and competitive for the next generation. Their mother's example of adaptability within the framework of strong family and community values provides their guiding template.