Tuli Success Stories
Edible Cosmetics
The Fresh Cream Company is a great example of how the best ideas can be sparked by the most unlikely circumstances. When Kristiina Jokela, having worked at eg. the European Space Agency, and Johanna Kuorilehti, a marketing professional, met on an MBA course, an idea to develop completely organic cosmetics was born.
Almost every self-respecting cosmetics range includes ‘natural’ products these days, and some ranges are even labeled as ‘fully organic’. When Kristiina Jokela and Johanna Kuorilehto met on an MBA course at the Helsinki School of Economics, they came up with an idea of organic cosmetics that would be developed even further.
The idea was inspired by the fact that nearly 60 percent of all the chemical applied on skin is absorbed into the human body.
“Our fundamental point is that real organic cosmetics can be even eaten. Because it contains no preservatives, it remains usable for approximately two weeks”, says Kristiina Jokela.
The Fresh Cream Company, founded by Jokela and Kuorilehto, has not evolved into a real company yet, because both ladies still have their day jobs. However, because of the Tekes’ TULI funding, the company-to-be already has a working funding and business plan.
The more the merrier
The new business idea got a real boost when the two ladies took part in the Venture Cup business idea competion with their initial idea. LaTiDa, as the idea was called back then, won all the phases of the competition. The best part of the competition, according to Kristiina Jokela, was getting acquainted with the TULI organization.
“The TULI professionals steered us to the right people. This way, we received offers from various funders”.
Jokela says that the TULI organization had a crucial role in providing a working and realistic funding plan. The plan, funded by TULI, was created at Technopolis Ventures, who also helped in developing the business plan. Jokela goes on to add that everyone who is battling with their own ideas should contact TULI.
“If you’re stuck alone, you’ll face dead ends and lose touch of the essential things. Many people try to do everything themselves, even though it’s nearly impossible.”
The right kind of networking is also difficult if one’s alone, adds Jokela. The Fresh Cream Company got some much-needed networking help from TULI, as well as from Technopolis Ventures.
A natural supply chain
Kristiina Jokela and Johanna Kuorilehto see their company’s entry to the markets in a reversed way as compared to what is common: new companies usually start in local markets, but Jokela and Kuorilehto plan to take their business to an international level from the start, mentioning St. Petersburg, Moscow, Sweden and the United States as examples.
“We have found various suitable production partners in Finland, but they demand a large production volume. We plan to start our operations manually”, says Jokela.
This is something the ladies have already experience with. Kristiina Jokela, a trained chemistry engineer, already delights her friends with skin care products that are guaranteed to be organic.
