Photographer: Aleksi Kokora – Editor: Sems Erik
Finland is one of the European countries that has become known for accelerating its growth and development in various areas, such as the culture, society, economy, and businesses. With an increasing number of companies developing in the country, Finland has shown support for young people’s enterprises by granting concessions to promote innovative and non-circulating ideas. While there are many young people with diverse cultural backgrounds, their desire to enter the field of entrepreneurship is a positive phenomenon that has never existed before. For many, it is the best way to enter the labor market, especially if they do not have access to the right opportunities. And for some, they are awarded at an event for their hard work.
With Suomen Yrittäjät as the event’s sponser, a referendum or competition is held annually to select the best-emerging enterprises on a national scale. Entrepreneurs hold this event in high regard because it highlights and publicizes the quality of their work.
The most significant aspect of this event is recognizing an entrepreneur in the field of public health business, which is regarded as a great precedent due to the high potential and efficiency. The winner this year was the HOIWA company and its founder Fadumo Ali, a 35-year-old Finnish woman with Somali origins. While she currently resides in the Uusimaa region’s “Espoo” area, she moved to Finland in 1990 as a refugee child with her family. Not only does she have a bachelor’s degree in Public Health Nursing from Metropolia University, but she’s also been in the healthcare industry for nearly 15 years.
An Entrepreneur & Mum
Being a mother of four children is difficult as it entails several obligations, but I strive to make time for my family and the everyday activities that require my physical presence. AlthoughI gave up some of my interests,my profession has become my passion. As a result, I do not feel like I am working when I am at Hoiwa.
” My difference is my strength. For me, I use it as a power. “
The Story of Hoiwa
Since Hoiwa was founded two years ago, circumstances have been brought about that none of us could have predicted. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to the healthcare industry, raising concerns about the health of the workers in this field. Furthermore, the current global situation is frightening and creates uncertainty for all of us.
Despite these difficult times, we’re happy and grateful that through Hoiwa, we’ve been able to play our part and create faith in the healthcare industry. Resilient and caring healthcare professionals are needed, and the value of Hoiwa’s work is reflected in the company’s growth.
Career
My background in the healthcare industry and work experience as a self-employed nurse have been huge assets in building my company. With all of the challenges I’ve faced in my professional life, I founded Hoiwa and solved these issues through my company, which values nurses and their employees.
As I further developed Hoiwa, I began to see how meaningful my work was as an entrepreneur and the CEO of Hoiwa. By being a part of the bigger solution, I knew that I wanted to make a positive impact on Finland’s unemployment rate.Ultimately, I want Finland to become an attractive, welcoming place to work and live in, especially for immigrants. Speaking out on this topic has allowed me to aid organizations in navigating this issue as they learn how to keep great employees.
Spotlight on HOIWA
I established the company in 2020 when I was a full-time public health nurse at a health care centre. At the time, I put so much effort into Hoiwa that I was running the business alone. Nonetheless, I had a big vision.The more I saw how different Hoiwa was from other companies, the more I got motivated.
As a nurse, I wanted Hoiwa to be the best technically innovative company for nurses. Thus, I recruited a Bangladeshi IT engineer who worked remotely from Bangladesh. And in 2020, Hoiwa was warmly welcomed by the nursing community in Uusimaa.
I work as a recruiter, nurse, payroll clerk, and salesperson for Hoiwa. As the creator of Hoiwa, I recognize what is wrong in the healthcare industry. We intend to be at the forefront in both leadership and technology. Fundamentally, Hoiwa will impact the entire healthcare industry by improving the working conditions, giving a better salary, and appreciating the employees.
The company values
We value our employees, we care about them, and we are a credible workplace. Our values can be seen in the way we work. Instead of examining the candidates’ backgrounds, we consider their skills and attitudes. Naturally, our working style attracts and motivates people from diverse backgrounds to join Hoiwa.
While Finland requires more professionals, we must select individuals from various backgrounds. I want Hoiwa to be a model for providing opportunities to prospective employees with diverse backgrounds. By having a diverse team, we have grown into such a large corporation in such a short amount of time. This is why we have such a good reputation.
My way of integration
I am always involved with the Finnish community. In my opinion, people should integrate better by being a part of mixed groups where the majority is Finnish. In the mixed groups, Finnish people will learn more about minorities, and minorities will learn more about Finnish culture. We are all shaping our futures in Finland together, so we have to be included at every level.
A first HIJABI woman that shined up on Finland’s business industry
That is accurate! I hadn’t considered it before (in the whole of Finland). I proudly wear my hijab. In fact, I want to show my fellow hijabis that you can achieve anything with hard work. Maintain your core beliefs and values. People will always respect you more if you are truly yourself. In 2005, I worked as a cashier in Perehdytysvuoro. Six hours into the 8-hour shift, the supermarket manager approached me and asked me to remove my hijab. “I’d rather quit my job right now than take off my hijab,” I declared proudly. That is an experience I will always remember fondly.
“ I got used to being the only black, the only hijabi, the only woman, and the only minority. I don’t consider my background unique in a bad way. “
The winner of the company/entrepreneur of the year 2022 Espoo raision
I first heard about my selection at the beginning of 2022. The Espoon Yrittäjien board members selected me mutually for the award, which was a total surprise.
Awarded entrepreneur Fadumo Ali is aiming at international markets and going public | City of Espoo
I have also been selected by the Business Forum Group and an external jury as one of Northern Europe’s 35 most influential young business owners [1]. The candidates for this initiative were chosen by representatives. Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
As one of Finland’s Top 10 finalists in the JCI Competition for Outstanding Young Person, I think my hard work has been acknowledged now. I can influence more people by being more active.
Being different
The competition in Finland is not difficult. We have a population of fewer than 6 million people. People and businesses are frequently very similar. You can compete simply by being unique and outshining the competition. Young entrepreneurs must have the courage to embrace their ideas and be more innovative.
Those who have different backgrounds should use their differences as a strength; that’s your superpower.
” I encourage everyone to develop strong self-confidence and self-awareness, as well as to be curious and observe what is going on around them and the world. Always attempt to network.”
