“The Skill of Listening is Even More Important Than Selling” – Avosorsa Provides Strong Expertise in Online Services
27.10.2025
Avosorsa Oy, now celebrating its tenth anniversary, has found its own niche as a specialist in websites and online shops. The company actively shares knowledge and expertise within business networks in the Lahti region.
In 2015, a company was being established in the Lahti region offering services in WordPress website and WooCommerce online shop development, along with server hosting.
Although the idea and services of Avosorsa Oy were clear, Lahti Region Development LADEC recommended refining the business idea further.
“In our first business plan, we had three pages, but at Ladec we were told to think things through more thoroughly. We withdrew to Spain and rewrote the plan. It became a 12 page document, and that convinced the people at Ladec,” recalls Avosorsa’s CEO Kati Palm with a smile.
“The business plan helped us make our services customer oriented and adaptable already in the early stages.”
The name Avosorsa is a pun on the words open source – combining open source technology and Finnishness.
Strong Experience Put to New Use
The two entrepreneur team consists of Kati Palm and Keijo Mämmi. Palm is responsible for communications and content: a clear spoken perfectionist who ensures everything is presented in an understandable way. Mämmi has long experience as an entrepreneur and broad expertise in web technologies.
“Although we had entrepreneurial experience, the early stages always bring the same challenges. You have to find the first customer from scratch – the one to whom you can write the first invoice,” Mämmi says.
Palm’s challenges in the beginning were different:
“I have a strong background in buyer organisations, and now I had to start selling my own expertise. I had to flip my mindset,” Palm says.
Signs of success appeared quickly. The most important factor was word of mouth and positive feedback about Avosorsa’s services.
“Recommendations started carrying us right from the start. Customers liked our way of working and told their friends. Many customers have been with us from the beginning until today,” Mämmi says.
Deep Collaboration With Ladec
Ladec has been involved in Avosorsa’s journey from the start. The company received support in the founding phase as well as coaching and assistance in launching operations.
Avosorsa has also actively taken part in events organised by Ladec. The cooperation has been reciprocal.
“Avosorsa is a small company with high quality work and a clear vision. I’ve used them as speakers in several seminars within the Verkkokauppa kiitoon (Boost Your Online Shop) project,” says Ladec’s Business Developer Kimmo Seppänen.
At these events, Avosorsa has shared hands on experiences on building, maintaining, and securing digital services from the perspective of practical work and small entrepreneurship.
“We have a good symbiosis. Avosorsa gains visibility, and we gain insight into technical matters. There will certainly be cooperation in AI services, where Ladec has several projects together with LAB University of Applied Sciences, and in cybersecurity we aim to deepen collaboration for the benefit of companies in our region.”
According to Seppänen, Avosorsa’s entrepreneurial duo complement each other well.
“Kati is a service designer and marketing professional, while Keijo is a nerd – in a good way. They are deep experts with a bright future on their chosen path.”
Long Term Partnerships With Customers
Avosorsa’s service offering has evolved by listening to customer needs. One of the most popular services is their maintenance agreement, which ensures that customers’ WordPress sites and WooCommerce shops stay up to date, secure, and fully operational.
AI has a significant impact on the industry, and Avosorsa is closely following developments. AI is helpful, but human expertise is still needed, for example in analysing and interpreting online shop analytics.
Avosorsa does not want to be just a technical provider but a comprehensive partner in business development.
“The most important thing is to keep your promises. The skill of listening is an even better skill than selling,” Mämmi says.
This year, Avosorsa Oy celebrates ten years in business. It serves customers throughout Finland, including companies and associations of various sizes and sectors. What they share is the desire to outsource technical matters to a reliable partner who speaks their language and replies on time.
Avosorsa works when needed and when it makes sense for customers.
“Certain updates are done on Sundays when customer websites and online shops have less traffic. That way we cause as little disturbance as possible,” says Kati Palm.
Over ten years, the core of operations has remained the same.
“We have flexible working hours, fixed prices, and cheerful entrepreneurs.”
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Text: Sami Turunen
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Photo above is of Avosorsa Oy entrepreneurs Keijo Mämmi and Kati Palm.
Photo: Petri Koivisto