Life in Norway Show Episode 21: Entrepreneur Torill Wilhelmsen joins us to discuss Norwegian entrepreneurship and the advantages of starting a business in rural Norway.
After many years of lagging behind its Nordic neighbours Sweden and Finland, Norway is finally catching up supporting new business and entrepreneurship. Today’s guest Torill Wilhelmsen talks about the challenges and benefits of working for yourself in rural Norway.
Listen to the show
You can listen to the show using the web player below, or on your podcast player of choice, including: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, YouTube (audio only), and now Spotify. Simply search for ‘life in Norway' on your platform of choice to get started.
Wherever you listen, don't forget to hit ‘subscribe' to ensure you don't miss an episode!
Making a living outside the cities
One issue is that support programs and startup ecosystems tend to be concentrated in and around the cities. So what does a budding entrepreneur who just happens to live in rural Norway do?
Torill believes ordinary people can achieve remarkable things. She started her business Fjellflyt to make it easier to make a living from your passion no matter where in the country you live.
In addition to her work as a business strategist, she founded the BETA coworking space, pictured above, in the centre of Vågå in the Gudbrandsdal region.
On her business Fjellflyt, Torill says: “The name reflects the experience I want entrepreneurs to have when they are out walking their way to success by thinking creatively while they walk.”
Torill studied International Economy & Resource Development before moving to Lom in central Norway to work for the local municipality. “I came into contact with a lot of driven entrepreneurs who were struggling to take care of themselves while starting their own business”.
Doing ‘slow business' in Norway
Once Torill also began to feel the burnout of juggling her career with travelling, being a new mum and other commitments, the idea for Fjellflyt was born. “The mission I am on now is to create community for both rural and urban entrepreneurs who are like-minded in there way they approach their business”, says Torill.
She calls this philosophy where the best of work and best of the outdoors meet, slow business.
“It'a a reaction to what we see in the technology startup world with the emphasis on hustle and growth. I am working with entrepreneurs that value sustainability on both a personal and environmental level. You can replace your computer when it breaks, but can't just order a new body”.
We delve into all these topics and more on today's show:
- Choosing to live in rural Norway
- Everyday life in the national park region
- The kind of businesses that thrive in rural areas
- The benefits of starting a business outside the cities
- The challenges of starting a business outside the cities
Links from the show
- Fjellflyt: Torill's business
- BETA: Coworking office in Vågå
- Slow Business Adventure: International entrepreneurship festival
- How to Find a Job in Norway: The book from the Life in Norway team
To help others discover the tips and advice in this episode, you can share the show on Pinterest:
