This is how Noora Hautakangas and Eero-rakas combine business and love – A quarrel in Paris broke out of nowhere

In February 2007, Noora Hautakkanka’s life is completely turned upside down: a 22-year-old young woman studying to be an assistive technology technician is crowned Miss Finland. He can’t believe what just happened.

– What, is it me? Are you sure it’s me? Noora wonders at the crowning moment.

In her first magazine interviews, the new miss gets to answer journalists’ questions about her recent breakup with her boyfriend and her career dreams. At the same time, eyes are already turning to the Miss Universe competition in Mexico.

The events seem to progress faster than in the movies.

16 years later, Noora is sitting on the pink sofa of her cafe in the heart of Helsinki. Over the course of eight years, he has succeeded in creating the popular Relove store chain that sells second-hand clothes and cafe products.

Nothing has come for free. Moments with friends and family have become fewer, as work has come before the rest of life.

– I try to be kind so as not to beat myself up too much. It takes practice, Noora insists.

There have been enough doubters along the way.

– When I left the position of host of The Voice radio channel, many people warned me that you can’t make a business out of recycling, Noora smiles.

The power of speaking

Noora does not want to take all the credit from her company. He gives a lot of compliments to his spouse, an entrepreneur Eero Ukkonen, who works as Relove’s CEO. The couple met in 2014 and got engaged three years later.

– Everyone warned you not to start a business together. That wouldn’t work. We took that risk and still live together. However, the flame is still raging, although of course work is also being done for it, Noora laughs.

He thought that the couple would hardly be together anymore if they weren’t also workmates.

– Working for the company is such a big part of life. If one did something completely different, the other would hardly be able to understand it. When I’m able to throw ideas around with someone else, that’s our biggest asset.

Marital disputes and disagreements are left outside the workplace by the couple. We can disagree on things, but personal feelings must not come before business decisions. However, the most important asset is talking and open communication.

– We have discussed a lot with Eero, how things could have been done differently. However, that’s a big deal. The choices have been made based on what we have seen as the best.

– I am grateful to Eero that he is ready to open his affairs and discuss. He is not a traditional man with a cupped mouth.

Of course, sometimes emotions also boil over.

– We argued carefully at the Louvre art museum in Paris. We both went to camp in different directions. A dispute arose out of nowhere, but we managed to settle the matter and the rest of the holiday went even better, Noora recalls with amusement.

– Since we are constantly dealing with each other, sometimes you have to twist properly and clear the air.

“Any sense?”

Crisis times have tested both Finnish wage earners and entrepreneurs in recent years. Noora admits that the beginning of the year was even darker than expected financially.

– The spring has been really tough. We have around 100 employees and several offices. The fixed costs remain and if a certain part of the sales goes away, it shows quite harshly. Eero and I haven’t raised our salary for many months. We wanted to show that we do everything we can to survive, because it’s not just about us, it’s about the livelihood of many other people as well.

The difficult situation felt inconsolable. As an employer, he feels that he is also responsible for the livelihood and well-being of all his employees.

– Yes, at a certain point you ask, does this make any sense? Many entrepreneurs and wage earners live with financial hardship, and it eats away at people.

There is still plenty of credit for the future, as the entrepreneurial couple opened a new store at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport this fall. Noora laughs that her working days are largely spent either washing dishes in the cafe or organizing storage facilities.

– It’s been three years here with a heavy heart all the time. You will need your own time now. Although work is a big part of life and meaningful, nothing can last forever.

Next year, Noora turns 40, which has made me think about the choices I’ve made and my dreams for the future.

– If this were my last day, have I lived my life the way I wanted? Have I done things that I have enjoyed?

Noora intends to focus on the things that have been left to fewer people in recent years: her own well-being and presence with her loved ones. Doing business is not going away, but alongside it is meant to be a healthy way to enjoy life.

– Sometimes I have watched as an outsider when my friends are together on some wonderful trip or spending the evening on the terrace. Now I would like to be a part of that life.

Style: Henna Koste. Clothes: Pink shirt and white body/ Anni Ruuth. Red pants/ The FNRM, Liike. Shoes/ Terhi Pölkki. Necklaces/ Aida Impact.

Makeup and hair: Tiina-Maria Valanti.