Meet Ella – Messua’s versatile customer service professional and language talent
Ella Kalliokoski is Messua’s warm-hearted and energetic customer service professional, whose first connection with the family business dates back to her secondary school years as a summer worker. Her diverse career across different fields has given her a broad base of experience, which she now applies to exhibition projects both in Finland and Germany. Although Ella is currently studying full-time and does not yet work at Messua on a permanent basis, she has been involved in numerous projects and brings valuable expertise to the team whenever her schedule allows. We interviewed Ella about her work, background, and what inspires her.
Hi Ella! Could you tell us who you are and what your role is at Messua?
Hello! I’m Ella Kalliokoski, and my Messua story began back in secondary school, when I landed a summer job at the office in Lahti. Back then, my days were filled with making coffee, delivering mail, and doing a variety of office tasks. These days, I study German at Tampere University and work for Messua whenever extra hands are needed for projects. I’ve been involved in both domestic events and trade fairs across Germany – from Hamburg to Munich – assisting the project manager with practical arrangements and customer service.
What’s your background?
I’m now 32, and I only discovered my true calling a little later in life. I began my German studies in 2020 and realised I was finally studying something that genuinely interested me. Before that, I had completed my military service, studied hotel reception, tried physiotherapy studies in Germany, and worked for many years in the restaurant industry. I’ve always had some interest in the trade fair industry, but in recent years, my interest in the family business has grown significantly.
What inspires you in your work?
I’m a customer service person through and through! Meeting new people, sharing life experiences, and personal growth inspire me and bring a smile to my face. Entrepreneurship runs in my family, and as I also work as a light entrepreneur alongside my studies (in the cleaning industry), I’ve become well-acquainted with the “We work it out” attitude. It’s especially rewarding to recognise my own moments of success – and, above all, to see a customer’s satisfaction after a job well done.
What do you do in your free time?
I used to be a very active exerciser (and I still keep it up from time to time), but nowadays I’m more drawn to activities that make everyday life easier and allow me to be creative – such as sewing. In the spring, my brother Emil and I attended a sewing course together! Sustainability is important to me, and I’m always thinking about how I can incorporate it into my daily life. I’ve always been passionate about languages, especially German, and these days I’m reading more and more German-language books to expand my vocabulary.
Do you have a personal motto or life philosophy?
Yes! “Smile at the world, and it will smile back at you.” It’s a surprisingly effective guideline in almost any situation, and it has helped me through many challenges. I love helping people and bringing them joy – even through small gestures. Perhaps it says a lot about me that in my part-time job at Lidl, my favourite task is working at the till and engaging with customers!
What does Messua mean to you?
The family business has always been part of my life and has inspired me in many ways. My first memory of Messua is of the old Lahti office, which had a view of the market square. At that time, the generational change hadn’t yet happened, but many of my family members had already been involved in the business for a long time. Although I’m currently focused on my studies and other work, I believe that at some point I might be interested in joining the Messua team full-time. There would be a lot to learn since my background is in other fields – but practice makes perfect, and nobody is born a master! The best part would be having familiar people around and knowing that asking for help would always be easy.
Thank you for the interview, Ella! Would you like to send a greeting to our readers?
The pleasure was all mine! Wir sehen uns auf der Messe – ich freue mich schon! (See you at the trade fair – I’m already looking forward to it!)
Did you know?
Alongside her studies and part-time jobs, Ella also provides cleaning services in the Tampere and Lahti regions. Learn more: Ella Cleans – ellacleans.fi
Photos: Ella Kalliokoski, Messua Oy
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