Janne Kataja opens up about life after bankruptcy: 'I still owe thousands' – His famous spice is still selling

Most people know Janne Kataja from their TV screens – the energetic host, actor, and entertainer who's been a familiar face making Finns laugh for the best part of a decade. But while the cameras are rolling and the audience is applauding, life behind the scenes for Kataja has recently had a very different feel. The bankruptcy of his company has been a hot topic, and now Kataja is speaking directly about what this period has truly felt like.

When news of his company's collapse broke, many people were bound to wonder what it meant for Kataja's personal life. Has he been defeated by it? What's happening with the Janne Kataja 250g spice product that's found its way into so many Finnish kitchens? Well, Kataja himself has been surprisingly open and honest throughout the whole process. He hasn't hidden away; on the contrary, he's shared on his social media channels and in interviews that yes, it's been tough, but it's by no means the end of the world.

In debt, but not ashamed

In a recent interview, Kataja got down to specifics, revealing exactly how much debt he still has to pay off. According to him, it's a sum of several thousand euros, but it's not an insurmountable obstacle. "Of course it stings, and as someone with an entrepreneurial background, you're always wondering what you could have done differently. But when it comes to a small business bankruptcy, it's all too often tied up with personal loans, and you just chip away at those month by month," Kataja states.

It's clear from what Kataja says that he hasn't let himself get bogged down by the failure. On the contrary, he's focused on the things that put food on the table and bring joy to life. One of those things is undoubtedly his own spice brand.

The spice is still selling, even though the company folded

You can still spot Janne Kataja 250g spice jars on supermarket shelves, and Kataja confirms that sales are continuing as normal. "That's a different company, and it's doing its own thing. Thankfully, because I've had so much positive feedback from it. People like having an easy spice to give their everyday meals a bit of a kick," he laughs.

• The spice is still selling – the bankruptcy hasn't affected its availability.
• Kataja is still appearing on TV – new programmes are in the pipeline.
• Debt is being paid off bit by bit – Kataja is just grateful to be working.

Kataja's attitude is infectious: even though the company went under, the man himself hasn't gone anywhere. He's still the same warm and funny personality, loved by TV viewers and social media followers alike. And if anyone thought this would silence him, they'd be sorely mistaken. Kataja has already mentioned he's planning new TV projects and is thinking about what fun things he could come up with next.

Perhaps that's the very lesson Janne Kataja wants to share with us: sometimes you take a hit, but that doesn't mean you should stay down. You get up, you look ahead, and you carry on. And while you're at it, you spice up everyday life with some good food.