From learning to leading: my journey from an expert to a CEO

Splended wasn’t originally my company. It was founded by another CEO who stepped down after ten months. I took over the role and have been developing the company ever since. My initial position was Chief Learning Officer, focusing on creating impactful learning interventions that help companies transform.

There is a constant need in the tech space to invest in skills and knowledge, especially now with AI reshaping industries. What drives me is the vision of democratizing skill development—becoming a true learning partner for organizations and strengthening Finland’s competitive edge in tech. I want people to feel confident in their skills and thrive in their roles. When teams work well together, they generate real impact for the business.

Coming from a background in learning and business development, stepping into the CEO role was both daunting and exciting. The learning curve was steep—suddenly, I had to master contracts, sales pipelines, service productization, stakeholder engagement, and the endless bureaucracy of running a business.

There were many firsts, and I often struggled with my evolving identity and responsibilities. Fortunately, I had an incredible support system—at one point, I counted five mentors, each guiding me in different areas where I needed to grow.

When I took over, we had a few customers, but scaling quickly was essential. Through relentless effort, I was able to increase our revenue by 78% and make the company profitable in its second full year of operations. One of my best decisions was hiring a business partner, Merri Leino, whose skills complement mine—our collaboration has been effortless, and working together is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.

I firmly believe that everything truly meaningful requires struggle and learning. Splended has been the best workplace of my career, and in hindsight, I think entrepreneurship was always part of me—I just needed the right outlet for it to emerge.

Building a company that relies on trust and collaboration as its primary value proposition isn’t easy, but I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created. Within Fusion, we’ve all grown together, constantly improving our services alongside our customers.

I’ve studied leadership and organizational development, but this is the first time I’ve truly put those theories into practice. Stakeholder management, communication skills, and a high tolerance for ambiguity have proven invaluable in this role. I’ve also learned to take calculated risks—and seen those risks pay off.

Curiosity and a service-oriented mindset are, in my opinion, the most seminal qualities for success. I strongly recommend surrounding yourself with a network of supportive people—you will need them. The biggest challenges often exist inside our own heads, shaped by the stories we tell ourselves. But when you have someone to reflect with, suddenly, the world presents more opportunities than threats.

Business development is tough—I won’t sugarcoat it. You learn to accept setbacks quickly and move forward even faster. The word “company” exists for a reason—you need a team that grows together, much like a close-knit friendship or marriage where mutual support is key.

I love leading, but leadership isn’t about personal recognition—it’s about empowering others. When you give people freedom and trust, they rise to their full potential.

Splended’s values—partnership, trust, and quality—guide everything we do. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how we help customers solve complex challenges, even when the problem seems unclear at first.

Looking ahead, I want to take Splended to the next level—expanding internationally and growing a team of exceptional people. This is a pivotal time for learning and development, with technology in constant flux.

For those considering entrepreneurship, my advice is to have as many honest conversations as possible with startup founders. Avoid the overblown success stories—seek real insights into the challenges and realities of building a business. If the idea excites you, go for it. Even if it doesn’t work out, you’ll walk away one experience wiser.