Our alumna Noora Hyttinen: I want to be part of developing a sustainable and humane working life

In her final year at Proakatemia, Hyttinen was awarded a scholarship to participate in the Tiimiakatemia Global Oy's Tiimiimestari® training. The same training was also attended by Jussi Haavisto, who had already experienced one career as a marketing consultant. As both of them lived in Tampere, they ended up sharing the same journey to the coaching sessions. 

- During the trips we got to know each other better and quickly noticed that we had very similar ideas about working life and its challenges. We also shared the same passion for developing working life through dialogue and coaching. 

During the training, the idea of entrepreneurship crystallised, and Kasvussa Oy was founded immediately after Hyttinen's graduation in January 2024. 

From dance coach to workplace coach

Originally from a North Karelian town of Liperi, Hyttinen taught partner dancing through her own company.  She studied partner dance coaching in Huittinen, from where her journey continued to Tampere after a year.

- During my year in Huittinen, I fell in love with Tampere. I applied to study at Proakatemia to deepen my entrepreneurial skills. I was particularly attracted by the practical side of my studies and learning by trying together as a team. 

Hyttinen got into Proakatemia on her second attempt, but already on her first attempt, the entrance exam left a strong impression of the sense of community that exists at Proakatemia. The best memories of her studies, Hyttinen says, are the team projects she worked on. The dialogue circles, where the team met twice a week to discuss, were also important for Hyttinen in finding her own way. 

- When I started at Proakatemia, I was still thinking about continuing my dance business. I also had dreams of opening my own dance school. However, during my studies I developed a passion for development and dialogue.

Studies at Proakatemia gave Hyttinen a new direction, and the couple dance coach turned into a dialogue coach for work communities.

Alumni activities bridge the gap between studies and working life

Proakatemia is known for its lively alumni activities, and according to Hyttinen there is a close contact between former and current students. 

- As a company, we cooperate a lot with universities. As a Proakatemia alumni and entrepreneur, I want to share my expertise and also serve as an inspiration to students about what it is like to work as an entrepreneur with their own strengths and values.

According to Hyttinen, building bridges between working life and studies is central to alumni activities. This is something she also wants to promote through her own company. Kasvussa Oy is one of the corporate partners of the HUBS Sprint Innovation Festival in March, which offers entrepreneurship studies for students at Tampere universities. 

Continuous learning and development was important to Hyttinen already during her studies. Curiosity, building networks and working together with different people are also topics that she, as an alumna, wants to emphasise to current and future university students. 

- It is worth being curious and giving yourself a chance to achieve something together with others that you could not even think of yourself.

Long-term development for the benefit of Finnish working life

The company has now been in operation for a year. After six months of operation, the partners refined the focus of the business and it has paid off. 

- We both realised that we wanted to focus specifically on dialogue and long-term development. It has paid off, as we have already been able to do long-term work with companies such as Lerøy Finland, which wholesales and retails fish products, and the confectionery company Cloetta. 

The development of our own company is also supported by an advisory board, whose members were recruited from the Future Board network of young government experts. As an entrepreneur, Hyttinen not only wants to help her clients grow, but also to grow herself. 

- I want to be part of the change and contribute to the Finnish working life. Together with Jussi, we want to make Kasvussa Oy a significant player in the development of Finnish working life.