In spring 2016 I was at a crossroads in my career. I was about to graduate from Aalto University of Business with former work experience in the financial services sector, but ever since my early childhood interior designing had been my greatest passion and calling. Surely, the safe and logical choice would have been to dive into the business world, but I realized that I couldn’t stop dreaming about starting an interior design agency myself.

So with no previous working experience nor studies in interior designing, but with tons of determination and faith in myself, I founded Outsidein Interior (nowadays Verdeco Oy) after graduation. When drafting a concept design for my agency I came across studies that showed how natural elements can enhance wellbeing when incorporating them with interior design. Biophilic design felt like the perfect design approach for my agency, since I’ve always loved nature and believed that is has some restorative superpowers also indoors. What’s more, especially office workers benefit from biophilic design, so focusing on workspaces was a clear direction for me, since I felt like I can help more people at the same time.

Despite all the careful business planning, jumping into the blue was still somewhat scary in the beginning of the journey. What made me convinced, was listening to Steve Job’s inspirational speeches: “You’ve got to find what you love — your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” And that’s what still keeps me going every day.