Rizah Veseli, the visionary behind Perniön Rullakebabtehdas Oy, has clinched the coveted title of ‘Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year’ in a competition organized by the Finnish Entrepreneurs and pension insurance company Elo. This prestigious honor was unveiled at the Business Unplugged event in Helsinki, where Veseli’s resilience and innovative prowess were celebrated.
Originally from Kosovo, Veseli and his family sought asylum in Finland in the early 1990s. His entrepreneurial journey commenced in 1996 as a restaurateur in Perniö, eventually leading to the establishment of Perniön Rullakebabtehdas in 2006. Specializing in crafting convenient, ready-to-eat food products, the factory’s offerings grace the shelves of major Finnish retail groups. Renowned for their handcrafted quality, including homemade dough, these products feature high-quality local ingredients and have adhered to the same recipe for an impressive 28 years.
Veseli attributes his success to an entrepreneurial spirit, tireless work ethic, honesty, the production of high-quality goods, and a commitment to excellent service. Motivated by positive feedback, he remains focused on enhancing factory efficiency and improving the livelihoods of his employees.
Embracing diversity, Veseli’s company, which achieved a turnover of 1.5 million euros last year, boasts a workforce representing five different cultures, employing 15 individuals.
The ‘Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year’ competition, in its fifth edition by the Finnish Entrepreneurs and Elo, featured 25 nominees from across Finland. Elo honored Veseli with a prize of 5,000 euros. The esteemed jury included Pamela Spokes, chair of the Finnish Entrepreneurs’ network for immigrant entrepreneurs; Anton Goutsoul, the 2022 competition winner; Marianna Ahola, marketing director at Elo; and Jenni Parpala, vice-chair of the Finnish Entrepreneurs board.
In addition to the main prize, the competition awarded two honorary mentions. The ‘One to Watch’ distinction was bestowed upon Bambi Dang, a serial entrepreneur and CEO of Finest Future Oy, originally from Vietnam. The ‘Family Entrepreneurial Spirit’ accolade was conferred upon Myrskylän Savu, founded by Lilia Leps, who migrated from Estonia to Finland, initiating a fish smoking business in 2011 and upholding the tradition in Myrskylä.
This competition not only serves as a platform to celebrate the accomplishments of immigrant entrepreneurs but also underscores their significant contributions to the Finnish economy and society.