Toivo Sukari speaks frankly: “Things are tough for everyone” – what the Finnish business icon is like now
Toivo Sukari has never been one to mince his words. And now, with the Finnish economy struggling and entrepreneurs gritting their teeth, the local lad from the Turku region has once again stepped forward with comments that make you stop and listen. This isn’t just another press release about Maskun Kalustetalo’s financial results. It’s a straight-talking analysis from a man who built an empire – and saw just how fragile it can be.
“Things are tough for everyone” – Sukari’s stark assessment
I met Sukari last week, and while the same passion still burns within him, there’s a different weight to his presence now. He’s not trying to paint a rosy picture. Quite the opposite. When I asked him what he thought of the current business climate, he dismissed any sugar-coating. “Things are tough for everyone,” he stated bluntly. It wasn’t a complaint, just a statement of fact. It was the same unvarnished Finnish honesty he’s known for – and the kind this country could do with more of.
According to him, the entire entrepreneurial landscape is under strain right now. While major chains and networks seem to be holding their own, Sukari points out that the real work is being done by ordinary people. It’s the kind of work where days stretch out and nights get shorter. This is the reality visible at Ideapark Lempäälä and Ideapark Oulu too: customers are coming through the doors, but their spending power isn’t what it used to be.
Faith, hope, love – and Jouni K. Kemppainen
The old saying “Faith, hope and love” takes on a whole new meaning with Sukari. Although he has now officially stepped back from day-to-day operations, he hasn’t disappeared. And this is precisely where another heavyweight of Finnish business enters the picture: Jouni K. Kemppainen.
Over the years, Kemppainen has been the person with whom Sukari has shared not just business ideas, but also the toughest moments. When Maskun Kalustetalo was in deep waters all those years ago, these two men found each other. It’s not just about business. It’s the kind of mutual understanding that doesn’t happen without that faith, hope and love for what you do. Sukari himself says that without a partner who shares the same vision for the future, none of this would be possible.
- The DNA of Maskun Kalustetalo: Sukari stresses that furniture retail is still at the core. It’s not some “digital social media fad”; it’s tangible goods that people need to see and try out.
- The power of Ideapark: For Sukari, Ideapark Lempäälä and Oulu are more than just shopping centres. They are “living rooms” where Finnish families come to spend time. He knows that if people aren’t coming here, they’re not going anywhere else.
- Speaking plainly: On the current crisis, he has a clear view: “Politicians should keep quiet and let businesses get on with the job.”
What does the future look like?
When it comes to his legacy, Sukari doesn’t beat around the bush. He wants to see the places he built – the Ideaparks, Maskun Kalustetalo – continue to thrive. And while he’s critical of the current situation, he hasn’t lost his sharp eye for opportunities. “Finland still has the people who get things done,” he says, adding that now is the time to take a risk.
One thing is certain: as long as Toivo Sukari is breathing, he’ll say what he thinks. And he won’t leave anyone guessing about his views on the state of entrepreneurship. This is the authenticity we so desperately need up here in the Nordics. You won’t find it in PowerPoint presentations; you find it when a man walks into a room and knows exactly what he’s talking about.