Tuukka Korhonen Discusses How Startups Are Formed

Tuukka Korhonen is currently the Managing Director of Eve Devices, also known as Eve Distributions Ltd. He is originally from Finland but has had the privilege of living in Switzerland and Germany as well. In his early years, Tuukka was very interested in what technology had to offer him, as well as society. Through living and traveling to different places, he has been exposed to various levels of technology.

Tuukka Korhonen has worked with several companies over the years; there have been some he has founded and others he has founded and was running for many years. All his years of experience have molded him towards his career as an entrepreneur. Throughout these years, Tuukka has been able to grow and sell various businesses and believes that his past led him to where he has gotten to today.

Why did you decide to create your own business?

I decided to create my own business, as I saw an opening in the market from my previous employer. I wanted to take advantage of the situation.

What do you love most about the industry you are in?

The thing I love most about the industry is the fact that you get to make physical products. The fact that an idea gets into a 3D model then becomes the first prototype and eventually is shipped out. The fact that you can use the product daily.

What would you tell others looking to get into your industry?

It’s difficult, it will be for a long time. But immensely gratifying also, if you are interested in these types of professions.

What keeps you motivated?

I would say that motivation is a frame of mind. The fact that I can see progress, the underlying mission of getting products that people love to people all around the world.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned managing your business/team?

Business, people, and companies are all very complex. The fact is that you can’t truly predict anything, you just need to work towards an end goal, negotiate the changes in the situation. Adapt and eventually succeed.

How has your company grown from its early days to now?

My company is relatively young. With less than a year of operation, we have managed to grow in shipments month per month and managed to start presales of our new product successfully. The business has grown substantially, and we are able to invest in the future.

If you could change 1 thing you did in the beginning of your career what would it be?

It would be to simplify things. It is important to not make business models or market propositions too complex. The simpler the better; the simpler the faster it is to revenue.

Who has been a role model to you and why?

I really like the approach of Richard Branson as an entrepreneur. He is a brilliant person as an entrepreneur at least. The way he has been able to build his empire around things he is passionate about is inspiring.

How do you maintain a work-life balance?

I think it is important to try and implement a good work-life balance as much as possible. I try to keep a rhythm as best as possible. I try to get enough sleep; I try to go out and about as well. When I have a lot on my plate, I might have meetings on the tennis court or golf course. Work does sometimes take over, nowadays in the connected world we have, it is a blessing and a curse at the same time. But by having the opportunity to take a call or sit down and focus for even 10 minutes on an issue, anywhere in the world, is something that helps.

What traits do you possess that make you a successful leader?

I always try to understand the bigger picture, motivations behind actions and analyze the ongoing issues in order to try and be a successful leader to my team.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment would be being at the factory figuring out issues before the first shipments of Eve V, together with the licensing partners, ODMs and big multinationals involved in the project. Seeing the first devices being packed into boxes and leaving the factory makes everything feel worth it.

 What trends in your industry excite you?

The bigger trends I am excited about our home automation, digitalization, and connectivity, which are big enthusiasm drivers. If you go into the tech realm, currently I am really into the change of TVs and monitors moving into a higher refresh rate realm. On top of that, how they are becoming the center of your home/office with added functionality. This is very interesting to be a part of and observe where the trend will go.

What has been the hardest obstacle you’ve overcome?

I think obstacles come and go, there are many of them all the time. One of the hardest things for me has been overcoming the uncertain times at the beginning of the company. It was very difficult at first, getting to a sustainable point.

What is one piece of advice that you have never forgotten?

Just do it. Not exactly advice. But a very good slogan.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to others?

I would say, the same as my answer above, to “Just do it”. By allowing yourself to get going and begin testing, start small, and then scale it up.

What is the biggest life lesson you have learned?

This might sound simple, but to really embrace it is something that might not be as common as you might expect. Sales are the most important function of a business.

Outside of work, what defines you as a person?

I’m social, I go out and about. I play golf, tennis and in the winter enjoy snowboarding.

Where do you see you and your company in 5 years?

I would want us to be innovating together with the community and having physical meets around the world. I would see the company providing a lifestyle brand for tech enthusiasts globally. We would want to gear up to take on the giants of the tech world! Gradually working towards that goal is what we want to do. The corny thing to say is to disrupt the industry, but that’s what we truly want to do. Changing the way consumer technology is being made.

Explain the proudest day of your professional life.

Probably the proudest day was upon first shipments of the Eve V, last year. Getting all the parts of the company working on a tight schedule, having manufacturer contracts, staff, and product contracts in place. The proudest day of my professional life will be once we ship the first Eve Spectrum monitor. The first product that has been developed and produced under the management of my team. That day I will cherish for the rest of my life, and I am proud of how the team is working in the development despite the global pandemic with the Covid-19.