Expert Story: Kaisa Porkka

Kaisa Porkka

Tell us a bit about your background? What did you do before entrepreneurship?

I built a 20-year career in the financial industry and gained experience from international product and business development projects, large-scale change programs, and sales management in both professional services organization and frontline customer support.

What made you start an entrepreneurial career?

It was a decision that grew on me gradually as I learned to know professional services entrepreneurs in different settings. What really excited me was the desire to take control of my own professional life: freedom and ability to choose interesting projects and customers as well as better control of work-life balance.

NeXec’s operating model and expert network in their part supported me and gave me confidence in taking the final step – as well as understanding of the risks related to the decision. Or, put differently, NeXec’s network based operating model convinced me that the major entrepreneurial risk – ensuring sufficient workload – could be managed.

In retrospect, what has surprised you positively after becoming an entrepreneur? What challenges did you have to overcome?

I was positively surprised by how easy it was to become an entrepreneur. Establishing a company was just a few clicks online: to me, the most difficult part was coming up with a name. In addition, I have been blessed to find a great accountant who I can rely on to swiftly manage my annual accounts as well as to provide good tools for billing, payroll management and expense handling.

My main challenge has been the flip side of the work-life balance coin: no-one tells me to get back home when I’m immersed in work. So, despite better control of work-life balance, I have to actively pay attention to it, or the pendulum easily swings too far on the work side. Ensuring your own well-being is even more crucial when you are an entrepreneur whose key product is yourself.

What kind of customer engagements have you worked on as an entrepreneur? How has NeXec supported you in this?

My assignments have built on my background and extensive experience in the financial industry. I have worked with large transformation programs related to product and service, operating model and process development.

NeXec’s support to me has been two-fold. Firstly, it is a source for interesting and challenging projects. Knowing that NeXec is taking care of sales and contract management, I can fully focus on the project at hand. Secondly, I can spar ideas and exchange opinions with NeXec’s great network of experienced and competent professionals and hear how to tackle some obstacles I have faced in my projects.

 

What would you like to say to those thinking of becoming entrepreneurs?

Think through the pros and cons from your own perspective – this route isn’t necessarily right for everyone. But don’t over-analyze: if this route is yours, get down with it and get a great accountant! The only thing I regret is that I didn’t become an entrepreneur earlier.