A typical day for Marjaana may include office work, various meetings, presentations or customer visits, sometimes even driving model furniture to project sites. Marjaana lists the projects currently underway: “a few offices, a couple of churches and schools, a few restaurants, to name just a few.” While effortlessly dealing with everything on her plate, Marjaana notes that the most important part of her work involves attentiveness, that is, the ability to listen with a sensitive ear to the customer’s needs and requirements, and to know exactly which options to suggest from the Nikari product range. In fact, the most rewarding moment is when the customer is satisfied with the proposed solution and products.

Marjaana notes that the most important part of her work involves attentiveness, that is, the ability to listen with a sensitive ear to the customer’s needs and requirements, and to know exactly which options to suggest from the Nikari product range.

For Marjaana, it feels vitally important to work for a company that represents a value-based choice for the customer. “Our customers know what kind of company they are dealing with — one that practises what it preaches. It’s truly a pleasure to be able to sell products that are made of carefully thought out, high-quality materials combined with a skillful, innovative carpentry,” says Marjaana. Over the years, she has also noticed that Nikari’s growing international recognition has had a positive impact on domestic sales. “It is only after a Finnish company is being noticed outside Finland, that we ourselves understand its value. We don’t necessarily always see the goodness of things until the appreciation comes from the outside,” Marjaana reflects.

Marjaana, who once studied carpentry, has always been fascinated by wood as a material, in its many forms and with its various qualities, as well as the hand craft required to transform it into a piece of furniture. Her time at Nikari has taught her even more about wood and craftsmanship, as well as structures, joints and shapes. In this way, Marjaana has arrived at the heart of carpentry and craft — perhaps not using the initial route, but still arriving exactly where she needs to be.