More young Finns start businesses as summer jobs become scarce

More young people in Finland are turning to entrepreneurship as traditional summer jobs grow harder to find, according to a report by national broadcaster Yle.

The trend is nationwide, with the number of youth-run businesses under the 4H organization nearly quadrupling over the past decade. In Oulu alone, 86 young entrepreneurs are participating in the city’s summer entrepreneurship program this year, up from 68 just two years ago.

Many are drawn to the flexibility of self-employment, where they can set their own schedules and work independently. For some, the venture also serves as a stepping stone to full-time business ownership.

Diverse ventures reflect personal interests
In Oulu, young entrepreneurs are launching businesses in fields like baking, handicrafts, cleaning, gardening, and art. Three local examples highlight the variety:

Topias Sakko, a business student, replaced his internship requirement by founding a company offering household services, including window cleaning, yard work, and moving assistance. He markets his services through social media, flyers, and door-to-door visits, aiming to turn the venture into his primary income source.

Eetu Laitinen and Aaro Latvala run a mobile car wash, now in its second season. The business, born from a school visit by Oulu’s youth entrepreneurship program, has retained customers from last year while attracting new ones through TikTok and Facebook. Laitinen plans to continue after his co-founder enters military service, noting improved customer service skills as a key benefit.

Ella Kangas turned her art hobby into a business, Taiderotta, selling paintings, postcards, pins, and stickers. After struggling to find summer work last year, she now sells at craft fairs and online, though in-person events drive most sales. While she prefers keeping art as a side activity, she remains open to full-time entrepreneurship.

Growth in youth entrepreneurship
Nationally, 4H reported 3,115 youth-led businesses in 2023, up from about 800 a decade ago. Their combined revenue has surged from €700,000 to over €5.3 million, though most operations remain small-scale, with annual turnovers ranging from €50 to €8,000. In Oulu, 86% of last summer’s young entrepreneurs plan to continue, with 95% saying the program encouraged them to keep pursuing business ownership.