Alumnistories: 5 stories about success and tips for overcoming fear

Jenni Ahokas
Creator of the Smuuti Skin brand and CEO of Beautyko Import Oy

Jenni Ahokas, who specializes in Korean cosmetics in her business, created a turnover of millions in a couple of years in the highly competitive cosmetics industry. Ahokas is the CEO and creator of the cosmetics import company Beautyko Import Oy and Smuuti Skin skin care line which has become something of a phenomenon in grocery stores and social media.

Jenni Ahokas has studied economics at the University of Oulu. She has learned the following about success:

"It starts with sales. For example, I have sold Smuuti to the shelves of Prisma stores even before the entire brand even existed or products were ready! The first thing I did, was that I recruit a salesperson."

Overcoming fears is related to believing in one's own dreams and products and daring to speak up for them – out loud. Ahokas' message is that you should not wait to be found – but go for it.

"In Finland, we don't invest in sales and marketing but rather polish products. Even a good product doesn't matter if it doesn't sell."

Jukka Aalho
Speaker, Writer and Marketing Expert

Jukka Aalho has worked with many well-known and successful brands, including as a marketing specialist at the health technology company Nucu. He has been involved in creating several international Health Tech success stories, including at Polar and Oura. Now, Aalho works as a marketing manager at Vire Health and helps especially internationalizing startups as a consultant.

Aalho studied English philology (now English), marketing and Finnish.

Aalho encourages people to approach success by examining themselves.

"You should be careful with success. As you strive for success, ask yourself these two things: Do I enjoy doing this thing now? And what will my life look like if I succeed in this perfectly? If you enjoy doing things now, success is secondary. If life doesn't look attractive after complete success, then success is secondary."

There is a concrete way to overcome fears: try it.

"The most important thing is to do, experiment and create. Success cannot be controlled, but it can be given a chance."

Anu Soikkeli
D.Sc. (Tech.), PhD, Architect and Professor of Architecture

Anu Soikkeli says that she is in her dream job. The professorship focuses on Arctic architecture and environmental adaptation, and in teaching, for example, the history of architecture and renovation planning. Soikkeli has more than 20 years of experience in research and research project management. She was selected as a researcher in the Fulbright Arctic Initiative III programme for the years 2021–2022, which provided an opportunity to examine the significance of the built environment as a means of strengthening well-being and supporting the identity of communities in the Arctic region in an international network of researchers.

Soikkeli has learned the following from success:

"My former supervisor gave me valuable advice: boldly step outside your comfort zone, because the best insights are born where the ground feels foreign and uncertain. I have learned that curiosity and the desire to learn carry you forward, even if the path is sometimes bumpy. In concrete terms, success means the opportunity to do a job that I enjoy."

Soikkeli's teachings bring a new, communal angle to fears, uncertainties or moments of hesitation – success does not come alone.

"The best achievements are achieved when you gather a team around you that represents different perspectives – working together enriches the journey more than walking alone ever could. Meeting young students reminds us that the future is built on courage, curiosity and shared growth."

Ahnaf Ahmad
Engineer, Nokia

Ahnaf Ahmad works in a top position as a senior engineer at Nokia. Working with wireless technologies and communication sounds like a success, but Ahmad links success above all to a good life, of which the working career is a part.

"For me, success means a balance that allows you to grow in your career and live a full, happy life. As I grew up, I saw my parents succeed in their careers and still make time for family, resting, and each other. That example seemed right. Already at the beginning of my career, I set a goal that I would work hard, take on challenges and grow, but not forget the rest of my life. Career and well-being must not be in conflict."

Pitfalls, uncertainty, learning. Ahmad has also learned to set limits for himself and his time management.

"I've also worked in environments where there is a lack of work-life balance, and while I learned a lot, I didn't feel that inner spark, the happiness that fuels true growth. It made me understand that when I have to have space to live a full life outside of work, too."

Ahmad considers Finland to be a good place to succeed, as well-being is part of many work cultures in Finland.

"I have learned to deeply appreciate Finnish culture. Here, time outside work, rest, family and life are respected. Work is not done at the expense of performance, but people have the opportunity to work with good energy," Ahmad says.

At the end of the day, success is simple: being able to look back and feel proud not only of what I achieved in my career, but also of how I was present to my loved ones."

Mirja Vehkaperä
Politician, former Member of Parliament

You must have a dream, a goal and a passion to move towards. This is how Mirja Vehkaperä, a long-time municipal politician and decision-maker from Oulu and former Member of Parliament, thinks about success. Success requires work and cooperation.

"You have to be able to work, push forward, seek trust and be cooperative. I have overcome failures and setbacks when I have accepted what has happened quickly, tried to be solution-oriented and kept the goal clearly in mind."

Vehkaperä graduated from the University of Oulu to her dream job as a class teacher. A study place did not open up on the first try.

"I worked for a year to achieve my goal: I studied at the Open University, worked as a substitute teacher and prepared carefully for the entrance exams."

The last few years as a professional politician have also taught Mirja Vehkaperä a lot about disappointments.

"I have been a professional politician for the past twenty years. I have received trust from the voters in the positions, but I have also not been elected. Success in politics comes through joint success. With a long-term commitment."

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