Thriv talent spotlight: Juhani Kumara

In this blog post series, you will get to know the stories behind our talents. Why did they become entrepreneurs, how have their experiences with Thriv been, and where do they want to be in the future? Without further ado, let’s get familiar with Juhani Kumara, a fullstack developer with over three years of experience in cooperating with Thriv.

How did you become interested in entrepreneurship?

I have always been interested in entrepreneurship. Already during my studies, I worked as a part-time sole trader, helping some small businesses with their software development projects. After my graduation, I still wanted to gain experience from big consulting houses before trying my wings as a full-time entrepreneur. But one thing was for sure, one day I would make my dream about entrepreneurship a reality.

How did you know when it was your time to become an entrepreneur?

Before becoming an entrepreneur, I had worked many years in diverse roles in different consulting firms. Over those years, I started to believe that I had the skills and experience necessary to venture out on my own as a full-time entrepreneur.

I also had a strong desire to break free from the conventional corporate career path: as a freelance consultant, I could better define my own role while enjoying the freedom and independence linked to entrepreneurship. So, I could either take the leap, or limit myself to the career growth options offered by my employer.

How did your path cross with Thriv?

When I decided to become a full-time entrepreneur, I reached out to a close friend who had previously made a similar transition. I wanted to know everything about entrepreneurship. My friend kindly provided me with a list of agencies, and Thriv was one of them.

From the very beginning, I knew that I wanted to work with a freelance agency as I believed it was a very good contact to have. In addition, the agency could handle aspects of the business where I felt less confident, such as sales, marketing and client negotiations.

How would you describe the service you have received from Thriv?

If I would describe the service I have received from Thriv with only one word, the word would be personal. It is this personalised touch that sets the service of Thriv apart from its competitors. Since the very first interview, I have had a good feeling about our cooperation.

It's not just about playing a game with CVs: it's about offering real support and guidance in finding the right projects. Thriv really feels like a dedicated agent who is genuinely invested in my success and always has my back. The relationships formed with the team at Thriv go beyond mere business transactions, creating a sense of trust and partnership that has made the entire experience very positive.

How would you describe your financial situation as an entrepreneur?

The finances of an entrepreneur are different to the finances of an employee, which makes the comparison a bit difficult. As an entrepreneur, you have expenses that you don’t have to worry about as an employee, and you don’t get paid when on sick leave or on vacation. On the other hand, when you have a steady flow of work, it is possible to build a solid financial buffer for the future, for example through investing your company’s funds.

I believe that the ability to plan is a good characteristic for any entrepreneur. As an organised person, planning my personal and my company’s finances comes naturally to me and it’s something that I enjoy. I have managed to achieve financial stability that allows me to keep calm even under more demanding market conditions.

How would you describe the value of Thriv’s developer community?

Thriv’s developer community has been especially valuable during longer projects where I might have been the only external consultant. Attending the events of Thriv has offered me an opportunity to get to know other consultants and get peer support. Many projects have also been fully remote and working from home has sometimes felt lonely. Thriv's developer community has been a valuable resource in overcoming that sense of solitude, offering connections, shared experiences, and a supportive network.

What would you tell someone dreaming about entrepreneurship?

Personally, I have enjoyed freelancing a lot and I would encourage everyone else interested in entrepreneurship to give it a try. My advice is that even though you would be working as an independent contractor, it doesn’t mean that you have to be alone. Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs and get in touch with freelancing agencies, such as Thriv. I can’t stress the value of networks enough.

Ready to discover the future of work? Apply to our tech talent network and get one step closer to your dreams.