Tuomo Niiranen, 36, has strong expertise in the property and construction sector, and he enjoys his work. However, on account of health problems, continuing his career has seemed uncertain a few times.
Niiranen worked on construction sites as a façade plasterer and then as a carpenter. Due to nerve damage caused by a herniated disk, he moved from physically demanding construction work to supervisory duties through apprenticeship training in 2016.
"I underwent the first back surgery ten years ago. The pain was left behind in the operating room. Contrary to all expectations, I returned to full-time work as a carpenter less than three months after the operation, but the nerve pain returned quickly. The doctors recommended a career change," Niiranen says.
He moved from supervisory positions in construction to the property management sector three years ago.
"I completed my vocational qualification as a property manager through apprenticeship training. I graduated in 2023."
In his new occupation, Niiranen worked at two property management offices in Jyväskylä: first as an apprentice administrative property manager and as a technical property manager at REIM Jyväskylä Oy, and then as a permanent employee at Jyvässeudun Kiinteistöpaletti Oy.
However, back problems and related nerve pain were aggravated by sedentary work already six months after completing the vocational qualification as a property manager. Repeated sick leaves interrupted work on several occasions and hampered customer service.
"The stress grew worse. I was worried about how I could manage my work and stay in working life," Niiranen says.
A new back surgery was scheduled for summer 2024. However, the surgery was postponed because his blood sugar was too high. Niiranen has type 1 diabetes.
In November 2024, Niiranen resigned and waited for surgery.
"The employer had been very encouraging all the time, and occupational health care helped me. However, I thought it would be good for the customers, too, that another property manager take over my duties. There was uncertainty over when I would be able to return to work."
Business idea clarified during sick leave
The back surgery was finally carried out in winter 2025. Months of recovery began.
On sick leave, Niiranen’s business idea became clearer. He would be able to continue working as a self-employed property manager, his health permitting. Niiranen and his spouse had established an accounting office in late 2023. The property management company would merge well into the family’s business.
"I doubted whether I could work as a property manager due to my health,” Niiranen says.
There was no doubt about competence. Niiranen did not need any further training. He is familiar with many of a self-employed person’s financial matters, and his wife, who is a financial administration professional, also helps him.
In spring 2025, Niiranen decided to apply for vocational rehabilitation. He called Varma and got advice. The form of support was specified: he received subsidies for a self-employed person’s work trial from Varma. He had already founded a company and did not need to practice entrepreneurship and property management. Ensuring work ability was essential, and it was possible to get support for it.
In addition to financial support, cooperation with Terveystalo’s doctor was important in Niiranen’s work trial. During the six-month subsidy period, Niiranen got to gradually try out how fit he was for work as a property manager and, in general, as a self-employed person. This was crucial for getting his business up and running properly.
Tuomo Niiranen currently works as a self-employed property manager. The most important thing for him is reasonable flexibility: he can work in periods and, if necessary, rest. Niiranen's well-being is better than before.
Less stress and better well-being
Early on, Niiranen’s working days were short. Then the workdays gradually got longer. The trial showed that Niiranen is able to work as a property manager in terms of his health. However, the most important thing is reasonable flexibility, i.e. the ability to work in periods and rest if necessary. The office is at his home.
"If I do not feel good enough to work some day, I go to “on-call” mode with my phone and continue the next day."
With a reasonable workload and flexible working days as a self-employed person, Niiranen feels better than before. However, not every day is as good, so it is important to him that he can still allow himself some rest, for example in the middle of the day, if necessary. This maintains work ability in the long term.
Experience as a builder comes in useful
Niiranen lives in Petäjävesi, Central Finland. As a self-employed person, he specialises in serving local small housing companies, especially in managing renovation projects. Niiranen’s long and diverse work experience in the construction industry is an additional benefit in the planning and supervision of renovation projects.
The business idea has proven to work. Income consists of small streams, but on the other hand, work is flexible in a suitable way.
"A 50 to 60 years old terraced house needs a lot of renovation, and there is plenty of work for the property manager. On the other hand, small housing companies may not be financially prepared for major renovations and cannot afford to hire a professional property manager to take care of all of the housing company’s matters. In this case, project-based professional property management at an hourly rate is a suitable solution," says Niiranen.
Property manager Tuomo Niiranen specialises in serving small housing companies in the Petäjävesi region, especially in leading renovation projects. Diverse work experience is useful in his business.
Sport is also important
Niiranen has been a martial arts enthusiast since he was six. He took up Muay Thai alongside judo. In recent years, he has been coaching junior athletes. He has been involved in the Jyväskylä Muay Thai sports club since the very beginning, 11 years.
In addition to continuing his career, Niiranen has naturally been concerned about his ability to continue coaching and sports in general. The situation now looks promising, as time has passed since the second back surgery and the new kind of work has improved his well-being.
He has been self-employed for about a year now and six months have passed since the end of the work trial. Niiranen has a reasonable amount of work.
"The business keeps running," he says with a laugh.