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Miniworld's journey to 22 years
Suomen Minimaailma 22 years: Small Dreams Grew into a Great Story
It's hard to believe that over two decades have passed since the first steps were taken on this miniature journey. This year, Suomen Minimaailma celebrates its respectable 22nd anniversary. It's a long time in a world built on tiny things, but one whose significance to us and to you, our enthusiasts, is immense.
When we pause to look back, we see a journey filled with passion, perseverance, and above all, the genuine joy of creation. Our story is not just a business story; it's a tale of how a hobby and a dream can grow into something that connects people across the country and the world.
It all began with love and a 40th wedding anniversary gift
The roots of Minimaailma date back to April 2004. It all started with a very personal and beautiful moment when the company's founder, Terttu Kurki-Suonio, received a small nest egg as a 40th wedding anniversary gift from her husband Tuomo. That gift was not just money; it was a sign of trust and an impetus to create something of her own. Terttu didn't yet know what kind of business she would establish with it.
At that time, the dollhouse hobby in Finland was very different from what it is today. Enthusiasts often had to choose between children's plastic toys or very expensive, hard-to-acquire collector's items. The "golden middle road" – high-quality miniatures aimed at adult enthusiasts but at an affordable price – was almost entirely missing from the market. Terttu saw this void and decided that Finnish enthusiasts deserved more. The vision for Suomen Minimaailma was born: a place where everyone could find a piece of a dream for their own dollhouse.
The atmosphere of a brick-and-mortar store and digital courage
The first Minimaailma premises was a small and atmospheric brick-and-mortar shop on Uudenmaankatu in Helsinki. It was a place where enthusiasts could for the first time properly examine products, admire details, and exchange ideas. This direct contact with customers has always been close to our hearts – it's a luxury to see the sparkle in an enthusiast's eyes when they find just the right small item for their house.
At the same time as we built the atmosphere of the store, we took a bold step into the unknown: we established an online store. Nowadays, it feels self-evident, but in 2004, the situation was different. Many doubted whether such aesthetic and atmosphere-based products could be sold online. The inspiration for the online store came from within the family, from daughter Satu, who was living in England at the time and saw the rapid growth of digital commerce firsthand. Thus, Minimaailma reportedly opened Finland's first online store specializing in dollhouses, serving enthusiasts from Hanko to Nuorgam and later also abroad.
Everyday life full of miniatures: From the kitchen table to the world
The early days were full of work and required the whole family's contribution. Due to limited space, the entrepreneurs' home gradually turned into a warehouse. Every corner was filled with boxes, tiny furniture, and building materials. Workdays often stretched late into the evening, and their own kitchen table served as the logistics center. There, packages were carefully wrapped and sent off to waiting customers.
Dollhouses were assembled at home, and there are vivid and significant memories of passersby stopping to admire and wonder at the assembled houses being carried to the store. Whenever a dollhouse found a new home, the entrepreneurs celebrated the success with coffee and pastries. It was then, and still is today, a very significant source of income for a small entrepreneur. That same festive feeling has remained in our work to this day.
2018, a year of changes
In 2018, a generational change took place at Suomen Minimaailma, and daughter Satu began to continue her mother's miniature shop. In this context, the online store was renewed, payment options were added, and all online store functions were generally improved and modernized. In addition, tens of thousands of new product images were taken, measurements and texts were added, the selection was expanded, and the customer experience was improved to make ordering easier. At the same time, we opened a new brick-and-mortar store on Liisankatu in Helsinki, from which we have since moved to the other side of the street.
22 years of passion and community
Now, on Minimaailma's 22nd birthday, my beloved mother, who founded this wonderful Minimaailma, is naturally at the forefront of my mind. She passed away in September 2025 💔. I am extremely grateful and proud to be able to continue my mother's life's work. Every day, I would have a question for her, because she was a true expert in the field and also a passionate enthusiast herself. I don't have all the same knowledge or network, but I try my best and I know that Minimaailma's journey will continue for a long time.
Now, 22 years later, the world has changed, but the fundamental idea of Minimaailma has remained unwavering. We have witnessed the spread of the dollhouse hobby and the availability of wonderful miniatures to everyone. It has been an honor for us to support enthusiasts and provide inspiration at different stages of the hobby to very different target groups.
A warm thank you to all of you – our customers, partners, and fellow enthusiasts. Without you, Minimaailma would not be what it is today. Let's make the next years just as memorable, one tiny item at a time!
Social media – a new meeting place for enthusiasts
Although our roots are strongly in physical dollhouse products, along our journey, communication has increasingly moved to where enthusiasts are: social media. It has been a great pleasure for us to see how lively and supportive the dollhouse community has become online and on social media.
On Facebook and Instagram, we can share pictures and inspiration with those who cannot visit our brick-and-mortar store in Helsinki. This continuous interaction gives us a lot of energy. Social media has made hobbies less solitary – even if you are building your house alone at the kitchen table, you can instantly share the joy of success with thousands of others.
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