I started working as a receptionist in 2009 in the same building where Lapland Hotels Kuopio currently operates. At that time, the hotel was called Cumulus. I started as a part-time employee working three shifts and then worked night shifts full-time for about six years. Ten years later, the transition to a new hotel chain and the position of sales coordinator was quite a change in terms of working hours. Nowadays, I work on weekdays, and my preschool-aged child makes sure that my workdays don't drag on. This way, I have a good balance between work and leisure time.

I spend most of my working days in the office dealing with offers. My work includes sales by email, telephone, and face-to-face, managing offers and reservations, and keeping orders up to date. My main responsibilities are meetings, parties and other events, group meals, and group accommodations. I also handle credit applications and act as the main user of our offer management system. Various fairs and events bring a nice change to my daily work, and I am eager to participate in them to spread the joyful message of Lapland's mystique.

My new role has brought a lot of responsibility and greatly developed my professional skills. In sales services, you need to understand how all departments work and have a solid knowledge of products and services, from meeting services to accommodation, food products, and wine expertise. We interact closely with different departments and learn from each other in order to achieve the best possible results. In addition to selling, I also want to ensure that the sale is carried out with high quality. I feel that I now have a comprehensive overview of the entire company. Managing my own area has strengthened my inner entrepreneurship and understanding of each of our responsibilities. I am particularly excited about managing the whole picture in sales service work, and I am interested in taking on additional responsibility in the future if the opportunity arises.

I strive to be genuinely present with customers and, to quote Regional Manager Leena Turunen, to be "open all doorways". I believe that thinking of customers as guests arriving at your home goes a long way, and genuine service comes naturally from that mindset. Our goal is for guests to be greeted by a warm, homely, and calming atmosphere as soon as they walk through the door. A wonderful setting is extremely important, but human interaction is the most important thing. Exceeding expectations and staying one step ahead is a great feeling, and I never tire of hearing our guests rave about the hotel's wonderful breakfast or our excellent service. A good working atmosphere is visible to customers, so it is everyone's job to work towards it.

For me, Lapland means above all nature, wilderness, and freedom. I have enjoyed hiking with a tent and hammock. On these trips, I have also taken advantage of accommodation benefits, as a night in a hotel is wonderful after being out in the wilderness. City hotels I visit on concert trips mainly. I am currently planning to celebrate my round birthday with a road trip in Lapland and perhaps Norway!