Decided to start a business

welshguy · Post by **welshguy** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:54 am

Having been trying to get a job in Finland for just over 2 years,I have decided to take the brave step of starting a business here. I have had a hard time decided on what to do....but finally decided on importing goods and selling them at a realistic price,well.....compared to other stores anyway. The biggest question was....what products?? I have decided on maybe some well known clothing brands and sportswear and sporting goods.
I am after a few suggestions on what you'd like to have available,and NO....Not going to mention alcohol,lol

Thanks

**Sponsor:**

cfb · Post by **cfb** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 1:05 pm

What did you do in the UK? It will be easier to concentrate on whatever your area of expertise was in the UK, than to start an import company.

And I'm sure that "well known clothing brand" (Finland) would also have something to say about you undercutting them. And tax and customs would also want to know what and how much you're importing.

Just because a line of products is cheaper in the UK or Germany, doesn't mean that the Finnish market is comparatively expensive if it costs an additional 50% in the shops.

welshguy · Post by **welshguy** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 1:10 pm

Hi, I was a maintenance manager in the food industry. I have a vast knowledge of importing,customs,vat,import duty etc,so that wouldn't be a problem. The cost of importing would be worth it.

cfb · Post by **cfb** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 1:17 pm

In which case, I'd suggest trying to sell a few things on huuto to test the market.

welshguy · Post by **welshguy** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 1:21 pm

have done that already,and it went ok

Mölkky-Fan · Post by **Mölkky-Fan** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 4:12 pm

Following on from my attempt at starting a business some 8 years ago, my advice is to make sure that you understand the Finnish market.

Finns do not spend their money on the same items as other countries might; most women do not go shopping while hubby is at work; the summer holiday periods are dead in the cities; fashion is not as big in Finland as in some other countries etc etc. You really have to do your homework.

Also web shopping is already quite common here, and many people are used to buying cheap on the web.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 4:35 pm

Mölkky-Fan wrote:Also web shopping is already quite common here, and many people are used to buying cheap on the web.

And especially if you only serve in English, then there potential customers are more likely to use English services such as amazon or ebay to undercut your prices.

welshguy · Post by **welshguy** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:21 pm

the website I'd develop would be in english and finnish,thanks to my finnish girlfriend,lol

onkko · Post by **onkko** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:26 pm

welshguy wrote:the website I'd develop would be in english and finnish,thanks to my finnish girlfriend,lol

For what i have red from problems what local had when he started to import food from thailand, remember that you have to have "ingredients, manuals and stuff" in finnish and swedish so translator and printer ready

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:51 pm

onkko wrote:
welshguy wrote:the website I'd develop would be in english and finnish,thanks to my finnish girlfriend,lol
For what i have red from problems what local had when he started to import food from thailand, remember that you have to have "ingredients, manuals and stuff" in finnish and swedish so translator and printer ready

Unless they are "professional" stuff, compared to "consumer" stuff.

welshguy · Post by **welshguy** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 8:49 am

I have things covered liked manuals instructions etc

Mölkky-Fan · Post by **Mölkky-Fan** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:43 am

welshguy wrote:the website I'd develop would be in english and finnish,thanks to my finnish girlfriend,lol

Not in Welsh? You could increase your market in Finland by two or three people!

chriscross · Post by **chriscross** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 12:04 pm

find a job ,and do the import thing as well

its hard to find work here ,i only speak english and a few words in finnish

but i found a job,and im sure if i can find a job then you can find a job

chris

flyingyellowpig · Post by **flyingyellowpig** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 8:57 pm

Have you guys tried really hard ? There are many Brits, Yankees and a few Aussies working in Helsinki Postikeskus, well at list when I've worked there, and most of them just speak a basic Finnish. Maybe you guys should to try Itella's site.
I have been working for the Finnish Post for many years and language skill wasn't a barrier.
Well, now I can sort of speak Finnish almost fluent but I have also delivered the post w/o speaking much Finnish before.

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