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Lifestyle, My Work, Sunday Cafe

Coffee time with Hannu

May 27, 2020

Even though it’s not Sunday, I went for a coffee with Hannu, owner, heart and soul of KOTI apartments. I will attach this lovely interview to my previously published “Sunday Cafe” section for you to enjoy in the future and easily access it.

When I first met Hannu was on our business meeting regarding my collaboration with KOTI apartments about 2,5 months ago. Ever since the first meeting up until this moment, Hannu has been not just an easy person to collaborate with but also very warm and welcoming individual which is very dedicated to what he does and every single client who walks into KOTI apartments matters. I was happy to spend some time interviewing him and I hope that this will bring him closer to you and that you will too consider staying at KOTI apartments in the future. 🙂

Your name and age.

Hannu Junkkaala , Libra 🙂 

Where do you come from and what is your connection to Helsinki? 

I come from Helsinki, I was born here and I’m what’s considered “barefoot” Helsinkian.

Well, almost because you’re supposed to have 5 generations in your family who are from Helsinki, I don’t have that many but almost. That also explains my connection to Helsinki.

What are the advantages of operating a business from Helsinki and what are disadvantages? 

Helsinki is clean, safe and has pure, straight forward people living here. Helsinki is modern and always developing more. To me, it’s much easier to operate my business from Helsinki because there is enough space on the hospitality market for what I’m doing. KOTI apartments are quite unique in that sense and it makes a big advantage for me. 

Disadvantage might be that Helsinki could still have more bigger/ worldwide  known companies their offices here and create more centred point for business traveler who are are also majority of our guests. If you compare Helsinki and Zurich for example, they’re the same size wise but Zurich is still much more advanced in business operations and such vs. Helsinki.

Running small, private business vs. bigger one? What do you like about being a small business owner? 

I used to work before as part of big business and I must say I prefer more running a small business. Decisions are sometimes made in seconds, there is not so much thinking through and having endless sheets or power point documents but rather going by the feeling and knowing what’s the right decision or the next step in the given moment. 

I also like that I have a great and close relationship with my employees and they feel like family members rather than my workers. I don’t think that it’s possible to have that in big business. 

Also, my days are all different. It might sound like a cliche but every day is different. I might have an empty schedule when driving in with my car to work and suddenly it might be that it’s 9 pm and I’m only then going home. That can be good and bad but mostly a  good thing and I like that.

Why name KOTI apartments? 

I used to own KOTI hotel before and I sold my business to Forenom apartments in 2015. I have then lost my “rights” on that specific name so when I was about to open KOTI apartments I chose that name half because I had some melancholic attachment to my previous business and half because KOTI means home in Finnish and that’s exactly the feeling which I wanted to create at KOTI. It can be of course modern design, luxurious  and classy apartments with great equipment but the feeling needs to be the one of “home”. It is nice to see that not many people who visit us know what KOTI means in Finnish but when they come over and get that homey vibes and find out the meaning of “koti” in my language they connect the dots and are pleasantly surprised that the name fits the feeling of the place. 🙂 

What inspires you or makes you happiest the most in your work? 

I can honestly say that I’m the happiest when I interact with my visitors. Due to the current situation I have been “locked up” inside of my office for the past 3 months and I miss the daily interaction with our guests. It is part of our KOTI vibes, to see me or Jasmin and have a smiling face say hi and wish you a nice day. I am also happy when I hear that our clients are happy and that we have met or exceeded the expectations. I’m happy when I hear that somebody had been marketing us in “mouth to mouth” way and they have only good things to say, that is what truly inspires me and gives me motivation to go forward. 

What is the best place you’ve ever stayed at like hotel/ apartment/ etc? 

I would say that the best experience was last Summer in one boutique hotel in Lourdes, France. I went there with my girlfriend because of Tour De France and could easily go each day with car or by bike, from the hotel to see different stages of the Tour de France. I liked the fact that it was ran by elder couple who would also every morning prepare big breakfast table for all of us and each morning you would be seated differently so you get to meet and talk to different people. I liked that. 

When it comes to my benchmark place/ hotel, I always stay at Ett Hem hotel in Stockholm who’s name by chance means home in Swedish just like KOTI does in Finnish. 😀 

What’s your life motto?

Angels live in details. Some people say for the contracts that the devil lives in details and I was thinking that Angels live in details because in my work, you have to have basic ground great but details are what makes the work or place stand out and special. We have lots of little details at KOTI and I think that it is nice touch. But it is true that if basics are not right, then details won’t matter at all. If I put a bowl of candy at your room it won’t make you happy if rooms are not clean or if our staff is not nice.

Recommend a book, movie and song? 

Favorite book is by Simon Sinek, Start With Why 

Texas country music, something like Kenny Chesney.

Michelle Obama – documentary 

Name 3 things everyone should do or see  when staying at KOTI apartments?

I think that if it’s first time someone is visiting Helsinki and staying at KOTI apartments they should go to Loyly, Suomenlinna island and jump on the tram 10 which stops next to KOTI and wonder off. 🙂 

Thank you Hannu for this interview!

Lifestyle, My Work, Sunday Cafe

Sunday Cafe: Meet Magda

November 12, 2017

Sunday!!! It’s time for another Sunday Cafe column in which I’m happy to present you my wonderful, inspiring, charming, beautiful and smart friend Magda. Yep, she’s all of that and much more. 🙂 I thought that she would perfectly “fit the bill” of many inspiring locals I’ve interviewed and presented in my Sunday Cafe series of posts. I’m very happy to see that you’ve been loving reading and finding out about some special Helsinkians.  Continue Reading…

Lifestyle, My Work, Sunday Cafe

Sunday cafe: Meet Jerry

June 4, 2017

It’s not that often that I come across people which strike me immediately upon shaking hands and exchanging couple of sentences. This was the case when I met Jerry for the first time. I did knew a bit about him by checking out his blog and liking his writing style/ whole lifestyle concept but little did I know that I will like him as person and become very good friends once I meet him!

Jerry is one of the most hard working, self-mastered professionals I’ve met in a while. Don’t let his age fool you, this guy is working day and night for his dreams to come true and so far, he’s travelled, accomplished  and experienced more than most of the millennials will until the end of their 30s.

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Lifestyle, My Work, Sunday Cafe

Sunday cafe: Meet Antonia

April 30, 2017

Once upon a time, I have fell in love with the Finnish designer name Samuji. I have bought couple of their clothing pieces and was happily wearing them over and over again. I even had a collaboration with them sometime ago on my blog here . Little did I know that after randomly coming across one Instagram account and being inspired by the photos and person behind it, I was going to meet one of the “Samuji people”, Antonia!  Continue Reading…

Lifestyle, My Work, Sunday Cafe

Sunday cafe : Meet Jad

December 11, 2016

Good Sunday morning my darlings! Seeing that you’ve been loving my “Sunday cafe” column and the idea of introducing you to various young and inspiring individuals living in Finland who’re not originally from here is very flattering and motivating. I’m happy to bring in more posts/ guests to my Sunday cafe.

Everybody, please say hello to Jad! It’s been less than a year ago that I’ve met this precious jewel of a friend! Pretty quickly we’ve realised that we had not only many friends in common, but also a lot of personality, dreams and interests that were in common too. 🙂

I’m truly thankful to have Jad in my life… He’s one of those friends I’d “put my hand in the fire” for! Read on what Jad has to say about himself:

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Lifestyle, My Work, Sunday Cafe

Sunday cafe: IP sound

December 4, 2016

Good Sunday dear readers! I’m back with my Sunday cafe in which I’m happy to present you young and inspiring creative minds which I’ve met here in Finland that aren’t Finnish or in today’s “case” a wonderful persona in form of my brother, somebody who’s been visiting Finland for many years and has been influenced by it in numerous ways.

I have two brothers and I was lucky to have my older brother stay with me for the whole month of November. I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to sit down with this young gentleman and “attack” him with some questions for Sunday cafe. I’m proud of you bro and I love you! This is what he has to say to my “interrogating”:

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Lifestyle, My Work, Sunday Cafe

Sunday cafe: Meet Leo

November 13, 2016

Good Sunday morning my dear readers! It’s time for a third post in my “Sunday cafe” series! I’m happy to introduce you every few weeks to young, inspiring and creative minds which I’m proud to call my friends. After very well accepted posts with two gorgeous girlfriends , Rita and Katherine, it’s turn to balance it all well with a masculine addition – Leo! Leo will present himself properly on his own in the questionnaire below, but I’d like to say a few words as an introduction of this lovely gentleman.

He is one of those people whom I met only short time ago but “hit it off” instantly and feel as if I’ve known him for many years. I feel that as I grow older, I don’t make new friendships that easily anymore, but when I do recognise an alike mind and soul, I will always find “space” for those in my life… So, meet Mr. Leo!

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Lifestyle, My Work

Sunday cafe

October 9, 2016

Good Sunday morning everybody! How are you doing? What are your plans for today? In case that you’re starting your day slowly and have some time to spare, I invite you to meet a new guest on my blog as part of my new section “Sunday cafe” ( read the previous post here ). Meet my lovely friend Rita, a fellow photographer, wonderful young woman with bursting positive energy and an addictive laughter. I call her a Hilary Duff’s twin sister. 😀

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