Good Practice - Project
Jätkä-Juho – A success story from the Finnish wilderness
Social media helps young entrepreneur build successful timber processing business.
General information
RDP Priority
- P6. Social inclusion and local development
RDP Focus Area
- 6A: Diversification & job creation
RDP Measure
- M06: Farm & business development
Beneficiary type
- Small-Micro Enterprise
Summary
Juho Kemppainen, from Finland’s Kainuu region, established the Jätkä-Juho timber company to realise his long-term ambitions of working in the forestry sector. The Rural Development Programme support from the CAP helped him invest in new equipment, which allowed him to build a strong customer base. During the RDP project, production volumes surged, and the product range diversified.
His company made effective use of social media from its inception. The young entrepreneur’s videos, infused with Juho’s distinctive personality, gained over 12 million views on TikTok, sparking international interest. As a result, Jätkä-Juho’s products are now sold nationwide in Finland.
Results
Outcomes from the RDP’s business development funds supported the company in adding value to basic timber products which helped:
- contribute to a five-fold business growth (increasing from 80 000 to 450 000 EUR); and
- the company employ two full-time staff, in addition to three part-time positions.
Promoter
Jätkä-Juho Oy
Funding
Total budget: 104 310 (EUR)
EAFRD: 8 762 (EUR)
National/Regional: 12 100 (EUR)
Private/own: 83 448 (EUR)
Keywords
Ressources
Documents
Good practice report : Jätkä-Juho – A success story from the Finnish wilderness
(PDF – 2.03 Mo)
Context
Kainuu region in Northeastern Finland is a forest-dominated area. Hyrynsalmi is a part of the Kehys-Kainuu subregion, which has suffered from low productivity in forests. In addition, the area faces a decline in population and the ratio of the young and the elderly is unbalanced. Adding value to the raw timber provides opportunities in the local area.
Juho Kemppainen is a young entrepreneur from the region who established a timber processing company called Jätkä-Juho. He and his company aim to create a positive image of the wood processing industry. The young entrepreneur serves as an example of how the forest sector and wood processing industry offer opportunities for young people. Juho’s own example shows that the region produces success stories of which the locals can be proud. Juho’s sister is the company’s co-owner, and she is also a role model for younger generations of local entrepreneurs. The company received RDP co-funding for business support promoting social inclusion and economic development in rural areas.
Objectives
Juho’s RDP project had goals focused on:
- Business growth;
- Improved efficiency and diversified production;
- Reusing by-product sawdust from sawmills in heating plants; and
Supporting jobs for younger people in the region.
Activities
RDP funding helped to cover a proportion of the costs involved with investing in a:
- Log packing machine to allow an extended range and volume of business activities;
- Log splitter and accessories to also help increase business capacity for increased volumes; and
- Forklift tractor to enhance production and improve work ergonomics.
Local and online marketing have been important business activities during the RDP project. Juho teaches his social media followers about wood processing through storytelling based on the company’s entrepreneurial passion for this industry.
Main results
Outcomes from the RDP’s business development funds supported the company in adding value to basic timber products, which helped contribute to:
- A five-fold business growth - increasing from EUR 80 000 to 450 000;
- The company employing two full-time employees in addition to having three part-time employees; and
- Community benefits, including inspiration for other like-minded young entrepreneurs.
His company made effective use of social media from its inception. The young entrepreneur’s videos, infused with Juho’s distinctive personality, gained over 12 million views on TikTok, sparking international interest. As a result, Jätkä-Juho’s products are now sold nationwide in Finland.
Key lessons
Jätkä-Juho’s success is an example of how a small, local business can create national and even international hype by believing in its business idea and using social media skillfully. The community of Hyrynsalmi is proud of this company’s achievements, reinforcing the faith of the locals in the future.
I unload the loads, saw, carry, supervise the drying, drill and pack - the work doesn't get too boring.
Contact Information
Email: taru.kemppainen@me.com