Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature Saila Järvi, an entrepreneur, investor, and chairman of Aie Cosmetics, whose journey reflects innovation, resilience, and a deep commitment to empowering women. From building successful businesses to mentoring aspiring founders, her story highlights the power of collaboration, belief, and persistence. Through sharing her experiences, Saila inspires our global community of over 5 million members working toward a shared mission of supporting women through He for She and She for She, encouraging them to pursue their ambitions fearlessly.
Can you share your background and what inspired your journey?
I’ve always been inspired by successful people and their journeys. There isn’t one specific individual — rather, it’s an ongoing path of meeting people who have built businesses from scratch into global organizations.
I come from a family where education was highly valued. I studied computer engineering and earned a Master of Science degree. My parents encouraged intellectual growth, learning, and knowledge, which shaped my mindset from an early age.
I worked at Nokia from 1995 to 2007, where I witnessed firsthand how a global success story is built through teamwork, innovation, and the desire to constantly improve. Later, I joined a medium-sized IT company as a sales director and realized that running a company isn’t “rocket science” — what truly matters is having something valuable to offer.
In 2009, together with former colleagues, I co-founded a company where I became CEO and led it to a successful exit in China in 2012. Since then, I’ve been actively encouraging women to take charge of their investments, start businesses, and pursue leadership roles by mentoring, funding, and supporting them.
What led you to enter the cosmetics industry and build your current business?
The idea emerged unexpectedly during a sailing trip to Croatia. I met a family whose daughter, a pharmacist and chemist, had developed skincare products only for personal use. When I tried the products, I realized their extraordinary potential.
Although I had no background in the cosmetics industry, I began researching, consulting my network, and studying the market. Together with my partners, we discovered a gap in the market for a 100% organic luxury skincare brand.
We combined our strengths — funding, product expertise, and market knowledge — to establish the company. We ensured full ownership of our branding and marketing materials and built a strong foundation. Today, the business has grown into a successful venture, and I serve as chairman of the board.
How do you support aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women?
I actively mentor and support entrepreneurs by advising them, serving on boards, providing guidance, and connecting them with the right networks. I believe many people have brilliant ideas but lack the confidence or knowledge to turn them into businesses.
Encouragement, practical guidance, and access to resources can make a huge difference. Supporting others in achieving success has been a central part of my journey.
What does women’s empowerment mean to you?
Women’s empowerment means encouragement, belief, and support. I was fortunate to grow up in an environment where my family believed in my potential and encouraged me to take risks. I want everyone to experience that same support.
People may question your ideas or even laugh at them, but it’s important not to give up. You don’t need to please everyone — you just need to keep moving forward.
Empowerment also means working together. Nobody succeeds alone. We must trust one another, support each other, and celebrate each other’s achievements. I strongly believe that my neighbor’s success will eventually become my success too.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Never give up. Believe in your ideas, keep learning, and gather knowledge before acting. Success comes from persistence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Ask for help when needed and support others in return. When people work together and trust each other, meaningful success becomes possible.
“Never give up — support each other, trust the journey, and success will follow.”
Connect with Saila Järvi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sailalaitinen
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
