Finn of the month - Kathy Pulkkinen
The owner of Arktik Design - a designer gift and homewares store that specialises in Scandinavian designed products - Kathy Pulkkinen is one of the champions of Scandinavian design in Australia.
With a vision to cater for those who love beautifully designed and unique products, Kathy established Arktik Design in 2004 and has since run and managed the store.
The store carries a large array of products - from jewellery, watches and clocks to glassware, linen, cookware, bags and bathware. Manufacturers include Iittala, Aarikka, Marrimeko and Kalevala; Swedish Boda Nova, Kikki K and Ekelund; Norwegian Tripp Trapp High Chairs; and Danish Rosendahl, Pilgrim and Skagen Watches.
Kathy was born in Australia to Finnish parents who arrived in Australia in the late 50s. Her older sister Anita was also born in Australia, and now resides with her family in Melbourne.
Although the family has established their lives in Australia, they still hold on to Finnish traditions. Every year the family gets together to celebrate Joulu (Christmas) in traditional Finnish manner.
Together with her Finnish partner Jari, Kathy has a three year old son named Mika. The family still speaks Finnish at home (with the occasional "Finnglish" thrown in) and Mika attends the Finnish School in Sydney.
What did you do before you founded Arktik Design?
I have worked in various types of positions from the corporate environment to sourcing products for Segaworld and Disney. I have traveled the world extensively and finally found myself best suited working for myself in my own shop, surrounded by beautifully designed products from Scandinavia.
How did you end up starting the business?
I have worked in various types of positions from the corporate environment to sourcing products for Segaworld and Disney. I have traveled the world extensively and finally found myself best suited working for myself in my own shop, surrounded by beautifully designed products from Scandinavia.
After the demise of several Scandinavian stores in the eighties I found it virtually impossible to buy Iittala, Marimekko and Aarikka anywhere. Having researched the market extensively I found there was a niche that needed to be filled.
Why do you think Finnish/Scandinavian design appeals to Australians?
From the feedback that I have received from my customers there seems to be a lack of beautifully designed products that have clean fresh lines. They absolutely love the aesthetic appeal and sophistication of well designed Scandinavian products.
Who are your customers?
Our customers are predominantly Finnish and Australian, with a lot of interest from Scandophiles [those people who have a passion for Scandinavian Designs products] and with the occasional Swede, Dane and Norwegian coming in.
What is a typical day for you?
In the mornings I usually check all my emails and get the shop ready for the day. During the course of the day, should I have a quiet spell between serving customers, I take to the internet to source for new and unusual products.
What do you do when you're not working?
My priority after hours is to spend as much time as possible with my son Mika. We go to the park, have a swim, read or draw - basically whatever he is in the mood for. Once Mika has gone to bed I take to doing paperwork for the shop.
What do you think Australia and Finland have in common?
The strong work ethic and the desire to succeed and enjoy life at the same time.
What are the differences between doing business with Australians and Finns?
At first, the Finns are very weary and closed. Over time they become very welcoming and extremely accommodating. In some cases I have received stock from Finland prior to payment - this is very unusual.
In Australia, as I am not approaching from foreign shores, it is like business as usual, depending on who I am dealing with and the report that is built over time. As with most situations you have the good and the bad.
What things do you miss about Finland?
Snow, sauna and summer holidays by the lake. Mushroom and berry picking.
What is your favorite Australian thing?
The Sydney lifestyle, the beaches, the sun and the Opera House.
Arktik Designs
Shop 2
198 Mona Vale Road
St Ives NSW 2075
Phone: 02 9988 3633
Email arktikdesigns@aol.com
| 
Tarja Halonen (the SDP and Left Alliance candidate) has been re-elected for a second six-year term as Finland's President of the Republic. She secured 51.8% of the votes cast in the runoff, against 48.2% for the challenger Sauli Niinistö of National Coalition. Voter turnout was 77.1%, around 3%-points down on the second round in 2000. Voting is not compulsory in Finland.
Halonen's campaign also got an endorsement of a different sort as the redheaded US late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien promoted Halonen's re-election bid as part of a long-running joke about their supposed physical similarities. His gags and mock campaign ads for Halonen did not go unnoticed in the Finnish press and also received worldwide press coverage. Halonen, 62, who apparently does not mind being compared to the 42-year-old O'Brien is said to be pleased about the positive promotion for Finland. O'Brien recently traveled to Finland and met with the newly re-elected President at the Telvis Awards ("Finnish Golden Globe Awards") held in February 14 in Helsinki. He received an award for being "the most surprising and entertaining TV personality in Finland". His visit to Finland will be featured in his show in the near future. 
Europe makes up 21% of Australia's outbound travel. It is a desirable destination for many Australian travellers as it offers a wide range of cultural and social experiences that are significantly different than in Australia. 
