Expert on entrepreneurship
Information about the interviewee
- Profession: Manager of an IT company
- Organisation: J&CO Digital
- Country: Finland
- E-mail: monica@jco.fi
- Website: https://jco.fi/en/
CV
Monica has a solid background in marketing, specialising in digital marketing. To further develop her skills, she currently combines her MBA studies at the University of Northampton with her work. Her interest in board work inspired her to undertake the Certified Board Member (CBM) programme, which gave her deeper insight into professional board work. This training, together with her passion for digital solutions, has laid the foundation for her career as an entrepreneur and business leader.
Monica’s journey as an entrepreneur started at the age of 19 when she founded her first company. Previously, she worked in marketing agencies where she specialised in UI/UX design and project management, giving her a foundation in the digital world. In addition to her career in marketing, Monica has also been a musician and singer. Today, Monica is the CEO of J&Co Digital, a company she founded with her husband in 2008. The company currently employs 13 people and specialises in web development and gamification.
Monica has dedicated her life to entrepreneurship and is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs. As the former chair of the Raseborg Entrepreneurs’ Association, she has been instrumental in developing the local entrepreneurs’ association. In 2023, together with her husband, she was named Raseborg Entrepreneur of the Year for their work with J&Co Digital. She also acts as a mentor for young entrepreneurs and enjoys giving lectures on entrepreneurship, sharing her experiences and advice.
Despite a strong career drive, Monica makes sure to find time for hobbies. She runs regularly, plays tennis and loves to go on sailing trips when she can.
Summary
Monica Janavainen, manager at J&CO Digital in Finland, has been using AI actively for a year and believes that female entrepreneurs need concrete and understandable support measures to start using AI effectively. She believes there is a need for hands-on explanations, simple instructions, and examples of good practices that help to demystify the technology surrounding AI. Monica emphasizes the importance of educating female entrepreneurs on the critical assessment of AI outputs to ensure accuracy and authenticity. She also highlights the need for clear information on safety, rights, and the implications of using AI as this can help diminish fears and encourage more women to adopt AI tools in their business ventures.
Monica recommends EmpowerAI to develop step-by-step guides or tutorials that help new users to get the courage to start using AI, implement it in their businesses, and critically evaluate the results created by AI. She also suggests developing a tool that recommends suitable AI applications based on the user’s specific needs. By making AI more accessible and understandable, Monica believes that female entrepreneurs can save time, enhance their marketing efforts, and ultimately empower themselves to achieve greater success for their business.
