Investing all your energy into your concept
The Oulu-based company’s success is rooted in a passion for learning and continuous improvement. However, doing everything for oneself isn’t always the best choice for an entrepreneur.
Ari Putaala grew up in an entrepreneurial family, so it’s no wonder that growing up, he always wanted to take the same route. He launched his company, Lattiapalvelu Royal flooring service, in 2021, after his wife Minna Putaala said that the time was right. The company provides customers in northern Finland with comprehensive installation of floor coatings, also selling flooring materials and related special products. Putaala’s clientele consists mainly of companies, main contractors and real estate companies, but also includes households.
Individualised service is the company’s bread and butter. Focusing on a clearly defined sector ensures that quality is exactly what it should be and that schedules are always met. The company’s customer relationships are long-term, which is guaranteed by scrupulous attention to details like reliable deliveries and first-class workmanship.
Becoming a better entrepreneur
The husband and wife team have run the business together since the beginning, with Ari as managing director and Minna in the background. Minna also has her own business as a psychotherapist.
Although he already knew a lot due to his family background and the experience that came with it, Ari also chose to contact to be the local New Enterprise Agency before starting a business. Ari says the advice he received on his business plan and other matters at the outset was very helpful.
Business advisor Jarmo Siipola from the Oulu region New Enterprise Agency says that the business advisory process was also very smooth from his point of view:
“Ari genuinely wanted to become an even better entrepreneur and to understand the bigger picture in terms of what’s involved. He had great attention to detail with everything, and always kept to schedule. He also asked incisive questions about anything that was on his mind and things that were unclear to him.”
Jarmo is especially impressed with how Ari and Minna have focused on their self-development with Lattiapalvelu Royal. Even at the consultation stage, Ari wanted to know everything about how the business should best be grown. And it has grown every year, despite tough times in the construction sector in particular.
“Ari has a great risk-taking and entrepreneurial mindset, and a strong drive to transform his plans into reality. Minna brings her own much-needed dynamic to the business, and provides an essential balance between it and everyday life.”
Focus on your own expertise
When it comes to giving startup advice based on his own experience, Ari is quick to reply: focus on your skills and channel your energy into your business idea.
“It’s important to focus on your expertise and to acquiring more knowledge right from the start. Even if outsourcing costs a bit, doing everything yourself isn’t the wisest choice. In other words, don’t be afraid to outsource whatever is not at the core of your own skills. Put all your energy into your business idea. Even if you have some understanding of accounting, it’s likely to play only a marginal role in your business and take up unnecessary energy. Hand it over to someone who can do it faster and better.”
Ari also highlights the importance of competitive tendering:
“This is a sensible approach to take before starting your business for all insurance and banking matters and other services. This frees up time at the beginning for running the business itself.”
