Anna Fatima Sambou, hailing from the Gambia, found her entrepreneurial calling in Oulu, Finland. After a diverse career in marketing and business development across Africa, Asia, and Europe, she pursued her dream of starting a business. Anna Fatima moved to Oulu in 2018 for a master’s degree in economics and business management, driven by the goal of becoming an entrepreneur.
Post-graduation, Anna Fatima embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, founding a company that connects lonely senior citizens with local helpers, targeting international markets. Despite her busy schedule, Anna Fatima remains dedicated to volunteering and occasionally indulges in her love for ice hockey.
“I knew already before coming here that entrepreneurship was what I wanted to do as a career. So I came here with that mindset and intention to start a business after graduation,” says Anna Fatima.
Before launching her own venture, she gained valuable insights through internships in both Finnish and Swedish companies, aiming to understand the working environment and culture. Anna Fatima appreciates the flexibility that entrepreneurship offers, allowing her to shape the organisational culture and find her ideal work-life balance.
Reflecting on the Finnish startup ecosystem, she describes it as “great and friendly,” emphasising the supportive environment created for startups to flourish. Anna Fatima acknowledges the positive changes in Finland’s startup landscape, which is becoming more diverse and inclusive. However, she notes the cultural difference, expressing that Finns, at times, may overlook diverse perspectives.
Despite these differences, Anna Fatima commends Finns for their intelligence, hard work, dedication, and honesty. She believes that the Finnish way of doing things is evolving, becoming more open to diverse options.
Anna Fatima’s professional growth in Finland has been facilitated by her participation in startup accelerator programmes like the Startup Refugees Business Programme and Helsinki Female Tech Founder Frontrunner. These programmes provided support, practical tips, and networking opportunities, aiding her in turning her business idea into reality.
As part of her journey, Anna Fatima also joined the female tech founder mentoring program, gaining visibility and practical skills from successful entrepreneurs. She emphasises the importance of self-belief and action for aspiring entrepreneurs in Finland.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Anna Fatima embraces Finnish hobbies like berry picking, kayaking, swimming, and enjoying the country’s beautiful nature. She continues to find joy in swimming, ice hockey, saunas, running, reading, and engaging in community activities, including mentoring international mothers to transform their passions into scalable businesses.