Entrepreneurship and integration in rural areas

Moving to a new country can make entrepreneurship seem like a major challenge. You need to learn a new language, understand the legal system, get to know your customers and adapt to a different business culture.

Many people also believe that a business has to be located in a large city to succeed. History, however, tells a different story. Many well-known companies started in a small garage, and there are plenty of garages in rural areas too 🙂

Your customers don’t have to live next door

A successful business needs two things above all: a good business idea and customers. But do those customers have to live in the same town? An experienced entrepreneur once told me: ”I didn’t start my business thinking that my customers would be in my home town.” More than 30 years later, that business is still operating from the same small town. Its products are sold throughout Finland and exported abroad. The company never moved closer to its customers, the customers found the company.

Today, more businesses than ever can operate locally while selling products and services nationally or internationally. Digital tools, e-commerce, social media and artificial intelligence have made this much easier.

I also know an entrepreneur who is rarely recognized while walking through the streets of his hometown. Yet if he visits a Hollywood film studio or a Formula 1 team, almost everyone knows him. That’s where his customers are.

Rural areas offer many business opportunities

Rural areas need a wide range of skills and businesses. There is demand for people to continue farming, maintain machinery, run metal workshops, work as carpenters, build and renovate homes and develop businesses related to berry production.

There is also a need for everyday services such as hairdressers, massage therapists, accounting services, care services, gyms, photographers and businesses that manufacture or repair musical instruments. Restaurants also enrich local food culture by introducing new flavours and traditions.

In other words, there are business opportunities in rural areas across many different sectors.

Entrepreneurship can also support integration

By meeting customers, working with other businesses and taking part in local events, entrepreneurs naturally build new networks. They improve their language skills through everyday situations, become familiar with local customs and strengthen their connection with the surrounding community.

In rural communities, people often get to know one another. This can make it easier to build trust, find business partners and customers and make new friends. For many immigrants, these everyday interactions are an important part of successful integration.

Kotona maaseudulla – pitovoimaa yrittäjyydestä project

The At home in rural areas – retaining talent through entrepreneurship project supports immigrants who are interested in entrepreneurship in rural Finland. The project’s goal is to increase awareness of entrepreneurship, provide practical guidance, strengthen networks and help participants identify opportunities to start or develop a business.

Entrepreneurship is not the only path to integration and it is not the right choice for everyone. For many people, however, it can offer an opportunity to build a future, make use of their skills and find their place in Finnish societ – including in rural areas.

Could this be your path?

For some people, the ideal combination is to live in a rural area: close to nature, with more space and often lower living costs, while serving customers across Finland or around the world.

Do you know an entrepreneur who has built a successful business this way? We’d love to hear their story.

Or perhaps you have been thinking about starting a business in a rural area yourself. Tell us about your idea and together we can explore what kind of support is available.

Jiuliano Prisada