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I was born in Siberia, Russia, for the last 15 years I'd been living in Haifa, Israel. Now I am living in Rovaniemi, doing my Master Degree and working as a tourist guide.
My educational background is in Industrial Design, Ceramic Art and Painting. I have an experience of running a small business for two years, with a partner (artist Moshe Ron), in the field of art and design. In our small "Studio Wetwo" we created ceramic and wooden objects for everyday use, mostly tableware. Due to the small size of the studio, my enterprenuer knowledge is very basic.
For 4 years, I'd been working as a guide in the Museum of Arts, in Haifa, organizing and running guided tours and hands-on workshops for children and adults.
In ten years I see myself living in Finland and having my own art-ceramic studio, teaching and running various workshops for all ages, and selling my art pieces all over the world. In the link you can find some of my art works... http://tanyakravtsov.wixsite.com/taide

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Few weeks ago I was on my way to Israel to visit my family and friends.  During the flight, I read a magazine "Blue wings", one of the articles has inspired me and touched my heart. The heading "BEANIE POWER"  and a colorful picture with five knitting grannies aroused my curiosity, and also reminded me of my dear Granny, who loved knitting so much, and was very good in it. Unfotunately, I was too young to appreciate this skill and knowlege, and to wish learning from her.
The article told a story about Myssyfarmi, which is an organic farm and ambitious design company from Pöytyä, Finland. The company produces  Finnsheep wool as well as organic food products and sells them in 13 countries.

The company believes that "things are done better slowly". Nowadays, in the world of mass-production, it is not easy to promote and sell hand-made products. I know it from my own experience of selling handmade ceramics. However, I believe there's a place also for small companies based on hand made production. In compare to mass-produced goodies, the hand made objects have a special meaning and personal touch, according to the article, "when you buy one of their woolly hats, you always know who made it and where the material came from".

In Myssyfarmi the organic Finnsheep wool is produced in the farm, each lamb is called by name; the yarn is hand-washed and colored by natural colors, what makes the wool extra soft. The woolen products are knitted and signed by local grannies, once a month they are gather for a knitting session with coffee and talks. I think it gives an additional value for the whole process.

The story began in 2006 in Switzerland mountains, where one Finnish man Janne fell in love with a hand-made knitted beanie of his friend, that was not for sale, what encouraged him to learn knitting by himself...and actually the business started in Davos, Switzerland, and after few years Janne moved to Finland.
Myssyfarmi was established in 2009, by Anna and Janne: "We believe in what we are doing and that we can change, if not the world, at least a little bit of the Finnish farming culture." I think that small changes can lead to a big change, and step by step make our world more sustainable and human, changing the attitude and actions.

I am inspired of this kind of stories, which begin with a little dream and grow to a succesful business. These stories make me happy and motivate to follow the dream. From the article, the company's website and social media I learned few inportant things, that I'll summarize below. First, one sholdn't be scared to start a business far away from home, when you are out of your comfort zone, many unexpected and interesting things can happen. One can learn a lot and by experimenting create innovative and creative ideas. Of course, you should be familiar with the environment and specifity of the place and local communitites, but it shouldn't be an obstacle to achieve a dream. Second,  the company uses social media to promote their products, creating online projects and sellings, what keeps the customets involved and updated. In addition, the company's website is well designed, and represented in three langages (EN, DE and FI). In a clear and simple way it tells the story, shows the products and process of creation, and the shop. Through the website I can feel the atmosphere and follow the vision and attitude of the company. By showing the pictures of the place, the people and animals, by telling the story, the company creates very personal connection with the customers. Third, it is importatnt to make a great team, and involve other people in work. I appreciate the fact, that the company involves local grannies in the hand-made production, what makes them feel pround and their products more valuable.
In conclusion, the story of the farm difenetly inspires and encourages me to follow my dream. And I wish it will inspire other people to buy handmade products and support small companies.

Company's website:
https://www.myssyfarmi.fi/

link to the "Blue Wings" magazine:
https://issuu.com/finnair_bluewings/docs/bluewings_01_2018

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https://coggle.it/diagram/Wp7N4NMJtAmxMICa/t/tanya/3ab8157a878fdd4f1a0c3a45364ce4c89d26441df7b96062908074531408e4b7

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From my own experience I know how networking is important, especially if you are running your own business. My partner for the ceramic studio was also my best friend, and I learned from him the importance of meeting people from different backgrounds and create new contacts. When we had a question or looked for a solution for some problem or situation, he always could find a person to contact from his network. Since he was local and older than me, he had decades of working and living in different places in Israel, during the life he created a great networking connections with people from various fields. Today, due to some personal and surrounding circumstances, I am not active enough in developing my networking. Although, during my stay in Rovaniemi, I've met so many people from different backgrounds, that difenetly can become a part of my networking.

The article and the blog were insiping, and I'd like to summarize few important points, as an advice to myself.
According to Dorie Clark, "narrow network limits the options in case of career change." Nowadays many people work in various fields during their life, therefore expanding the network brings opportunities for new jobs and changes in career. From the article I've found few useful strategies to diversify the network. First, "inventory your existing connections", it means, one should make a list of the contacts and friends in his surroundings and "evaluate the professioanl diversity". Second, "put networking on your schedule", in order to enlarge the network, one should make it as routine, and meet people on a regular basis. Third, "ask for recommendations", it might be easier and more effective to ask for recommendations, and be introduced to other people by friends and colleagues. And finally, don't look for immediate returns", sometimes people miss the opportunity, because they don't get immediate results or potential, however we can't predict the future changes in our or other's careers. In conclusion, it is important to be curious, open minded and like in any kind of relationship with other people involved, it is important to identify what you can give as a person and how you can help to others.
According to Susan Ward, there are few inortant benefits of the business networking: "new contacts and refferals, visibility, staying current, problem soving, sharing knoledge and experience, confidence and morale." It is important to participate in various networking events, where you can meet business partners and potential cusotmers. I agree with the author, that meeting people face-to-face is more efficent and personal, then communicate through social media.
Both article and blog were helpful for me to understand the importance of networking, and I will definitely follow the advices.

Article:
https://hbr.org/2016/10/start-networking-with-people-outside-your-industry

Blog:
https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-business-networking-and-what-are-the-benefits-2947183

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The results for the personal characteristics: "you have good personal abilities for starting a career as an entrepreneur. You know your weaknesses and are able to deal with them and work on them, if necessary. You have more information than average and thereby also the ability to develop yourself. You may need the support of skilled people both in your company and outside it, but you do have what it takes to succeed in business." I agree with the results, I know some of my weaknesses,  which I observed and experienced running my own little business few years ago. In my future business, I will look for a support of skilled, professional people, to avoid same mistakes and improve my abilities in weak points.

In the sector of competence and experience my results are: "You have good skills and some knowledge and experience in the various sectors of business life. You can recognise your weaknesses and know how to work on them. A strong network and a good team will help you to deal with your tasks well." I agree, that: my "educational background does not provide much support for entrepreneurship. Knowledge of commercial matters is important as is knowing how the company´s revenue and costs are formed." Although I have some experience in running a business, it is not enough. Before I will plan a new business, I need to collect more professional knowledge in commercial metters, and specifity of running a business in Finland.

The market: "You have a very clear picture of the market and your customers and competitors. You can adapt your product/service to fit the needs of various customer groups and in relation to your competitors. You have what is needed to succeed in sales." Probably this field is not exactly correct. I know who can be my potential customers, I know some of the competitors, however I need to make a deeper research regarding the market, to understand the need of the customers from the region, and evaluate possible competitors.
The last sector is the goals: "You set yourself hard and challenging goals. You believe in yourself and you want your business to succeed. You are ready for long-term, determined work. You will probably succeed very well." Somehow I always set to myself challenging goals, however not always achieve them. At this point, I believe in my business idea and I am ready for determined work. From my own experience, running a business means to be available for work 24/7, it is a dedication, although it also includes flexibility, choice, and freedom, that is so important for creative people.

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I enjoyed reading the articles and stories of different companies in Finland. First, I'd like to mention few inspiring ideas and sayings from the arcticles.
I agree with the GoSleep idea of a team work: "You can't solve problems by yourself. There's an expert for each area". It is important to keep the network updated, digital world gives us the opportunity to do it fast and in global level. I believe that a team work leads to creative and innovative ideas; no one can be an expert in everything, developing the expertize in one or few arear leads to better results.
Finnjävel's follows these three points: "trying new things, working together, and creating comprehensive experience." The company believes that it is important to "take care of partners", when everyone can benefit - things work better and motivation grows.
Food Camp Finland believes that "collaboration and openness are the key elements for success." Nothing can be done by one person.
Flow Festival believes that "you should be able to adapt to new situations", what is relevant today with the digitalisation of the world.

According to Tommi Rissanen, "digitalisation affects companies in three levels: consumers, stakeholders, and the company itself." Digitalisation has changed the consumer behaviour and habits,  the companies should be aware of this change and adapt to the situation. Althoug the interaction between stakeholders become easier and more available, for some companies it can be challanging. "The competition becomes tougher", when the international market is available from any placein the world, it is important to stay updated and constantly develop the professional skills and create values.

Thinking about my possible future business, I will try to answer five question from the article.
1. What is valuable to your end customer?
- My company creates products and services that are more individual and meaningful.
2. How can you deliver value to your customer in the most efficent way possible?
- it is a bit challanging question, if I understant it correct, using certain visual language and creating more personal attitude, being available for the customers in various social media can be some of the possible ways in delivering a value...
3. How can you develop your key partnership?
- Digitalisation creates opportunities in finding relevant people and events, where you can meet other people who might be your potential partner or customer. As well, it gives opportunities to make yourself visible for others.
4.  How can you make the value creation process more efficent?
- Digitalisation can save time, for example it allows to do some of paper work online. As well communicate with the customers, partners and other stakeholders. For example, in my ceramic studio I was buying the raw materials online, and sending all the relevant documents for the tax offices using an app, which saved a lot of my time. In addition, I was selling the products in online shop, using paypal account - what made the financial issues easier for me and for the customers.
5.  How do we retain our ability to react quickly to changes?
- Since I am not an expert in digital world, in my future company I will need to find an expert to help me with these issues, although I always try to follow new changes and innovations in the digital world.

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While reading the cards, I realized that some of the trends had happended in the past, and some of the them are happening already. Future is an abstract concept, it is hard to define, however we can make it more concrete by defining the time, for example in five or ten years from today...But the future is also tomorrow and changes are happening all the time. Robotisation, virtualisation, and digitalisation of data - in my opinion are more relevant and discussed globally. Sustainability crisis isn't surprising...in my opinion - that trend should have been predicted long time ago...

1. CULTURE OF  EXPERIMENTATION
More and more products, services and methods are developed in an agile manner and by experimentation. The direction can be quickly changed, and incompleteness is no longer regarded as a vice.
- I believe that experimentation can lead to more creative and innovative ideas. While making an experiment, there's more chance for mistakes and unexpected situations, which can bring brilliant solutions.
- I feel that in my own life and studies I am bit scared to experiment more...Due to my educational backgroung in Soviet Union, we were teached to "to follow the book", what means to follow the instructions, which of course limits the imagiantion and cancels any possibility for creativity and innovation. I was lucky, that my parent decided to move to Israel, where I faced many new cultures, and new way of education...I was surprised when the art teacher told me to forget everything what I learned, take a pensil and just make abstract lines without trying to draw any concrete object. It took me few years to go out of the frame, to be able to experiment...and I am still working on this obstacle, trying to make myself totally free of these limitations and a fear of making a mistake.
In addition to innivation, experimenting brings fun and new experiences to our life.

2. CREATIVITY BEGETS WORK AND WELL-BEING As work becomes digitised, more jobs emerge in the creative areas where machines cannot be used as substitutes. Arts and experiences are areas in which most people look for meaningfulness.
- For me as an artist and designer this trend is relevant. I believe that today and in future, people will need more and more experiences which are based on creative work and artistic attitude. Some very basic human needs can't be changed, such as drinking, eating, sleeping or feeling, as well creating things...
- I believe, that art and creativity are essential components of people's everyday life. From the antient times people were drawing in caves to express something, this need hasn't dissapeared. Human beings are creatures who need creation and experiences which are connected with feelings.

3. STRENGTHENING LOCAL PRESENCE Along with globalisation, local presence will become stronger with the help of new technological applications. Internet applications also enable the fortification of a physical sense of community. For example, 3D printing and improvements in food and farming technology could in the future completely revitalise rural areas.
- While another trend says: " Urbanisation is a global megatrend. In 2050 almost 70 per cent of the world’s people will live in cities." I believe that developing rural areas using technology and innovations can change the situation with overpopulated cities. There will be always people who would love to live in rural areas...although the situation now is not promissing, young people are leaving to big cities, where the job possibilities are better. A big change and investment should be done by governments to develop the rural areas, causing the young people stay there. I can easily imagine myself living in a rural area, quiteness, closeness to nature, and safety are main factors for the decision. I think, as a young, creative person I can contribute to local communities, and find new ways of improving the well-being of local people, who choose to stay in rural areas.

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Business plan by Tanya Kravtsov and Maiko Ike

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Business plan by Tanya Kravtsov and Maiko Ike