Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset in a corporation
Entrepreneurial thinking is often strictly associated with fast-moving start-ups, but it plays an equally important role within larger organisations. This "intrapreneurial" approach is about acting with the ownership and flexibility of a founder, even when you are operating within a structured team. To explore what this mindset looks like in practice, we spoke with Anna Mattila and Alina Seppä from Evli. They shared insights on how curiosity, initiative, and the willingness to speak up can help you grow and create value, regardless of your job title.
Growing through proactiveness and curiosity
“You don’t need to be in a start-up to think like an entrepreneur. It’s about having the courage to try new things and improve yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable.” - Alina Seppä
Entrepreneurial thinking begins at the personal level and shows up in everyday decisions. It is about suggesting improvements, sharing ideas, and taking action before being asked. This mindset requires a shift from doing the bare minimum to constantly thinking about how you can develop your skills or improve a process.
Alina Seppä is a Credit Analyst at Evli, where she started her career as a trainee. With a finance background from LUT University, she enjoys navigating changing market environments with curiosity and a forward-looking mindset.
“If we only did the bare minimum, Evli would not exist. Thinking further than the present moment is essential in any competitive industry.” - Alina Seppä
Staying relevant requires recognising opportunities early and continuously seeking better solutions rather than waiting for instructions. Taking this kind of initiative requires courage, especially when you are new to the workforce. Being willing to step outside your comfort zone and try things that might feel intimidating at first is what helps build confidence. Whether suggesting a new way to handle social media or adapting an investment strategy, the goal is to look beyond the current situation and take the extra step to get better.
Creating space for innovation in organisations
Even in highly regulated industries like finance, creativity and innovation are much needed qualities. A strong company culture supports this by providing psychological safety, where mistakes are treated as shared learning opportunities rather than individual failures. When employees feel that they will not be blamed for trying something new, they are more likely to suggest new ideas and challenge the current processes.
“Kicking the ball towards the same goal is really important, even though we also have our own individual goals.” - Anna Mattila
Diverse perspectives are also very valuable in this context. Organisations benefit significantly when early-career professionals question long-standing routines that more senior employees might take for granted. An openness for questioning ensures that the best ideas rise to the top and that the company remains flexible despite its size.
“From the very beginning, senior colleagues told me: ‘You have the fresh brain, tell us what you think.’ Every opinion is to be respected, no matter how long you’ve been in the industry.” - Anna Mattila
Anna Mattila works in Communications, Marketing and PR at Evli. With a background in comparative literature and marketing agency work, she thrives on shaping new ideas and encouraging a culture of openness and proactiveness.
Advice for students
Adopting an entrepreneurial mindset does not require a certain title, years of experience, or a startup environment. It starts with small, practical steps that anyone can take. One of the most effective habits is self-imposed initiative, which means that instead of waiting for the next assignment, simply asking “What can I do next?” shows engagement and helps the team move forward when time is limited.
You should also use your fresh perspective to question routines. Teams can easily fall into the trap of doing things a certain way simply because they have always been done in that way. Questioning routines is not about being critical but about improvement. By having the courage to ask why something is done a certain way, you bring value that senior employees, who may be used to the current situation, might miss.
It is also important to remember that you are not expected to have the perfect idea before saying it out loud. Growth happens when you accept discomfort, whether that means sharing an unfinished idea or volunteering for a task you have never done before. By consistently choosing courage over comfort and communicating your thoughts, you build the confidence to navigate in any company with the flexibility of an entrepreneur. What is good to keep in mind is that this mindset often makes the biggest impact in places where innovation is least expected.
Three key takeaways for embracing an entrepreneurial mindset
Take initiative. Continuously look for ways to improve processes, develop your skills, and support your team without waiting for someone else to ask.
Question routines. Practices evolve, and asking why things are done a certain way can reveal new and better approaches.
Choose curiousness over comfort. Speak up, suggest improvements, and dare to step into the unknown even when it feels uncomfortable.
