Inês Jales
From designing sports events in Portugal to growing a business through art and nature
Inês Jales, an illustrator and creative entrepreneur, moved to Finland at the end of February 2020. “I arrived just a few weeks before the lockdown,” she recalled. It was a massive transition; she relocated from Portugal alongside her husband, who had received a job offer here. Moving abroad had always been at the back of Inês’s mind, making this the perfect opportunity to take the plunge. She currently lives in Espoo, finding inspiration in the natural landscapes that surround her.
Before her move, Inês worked as a graphic designer in the sports industry, utilizing her design education to bring massive public events to life.
Inês was worried about how her skills would translate to Finland’s job market. “I had hoped it would be easier to enter the job market here,” she admitted. “I was worried about how working as a graphic designer would be different.” It turned out to be a valid concern, as she quickly noticed that local design roles require a completely different blend of tasks and multi-disciplinary skills.
Mother and baby Anna’s hummingbirds by Inês.
While trying to find her footing, an acquaintance told her about the Startup Refugees Business Programme. At the time, Inês was playing with the idea of turning her creative hobbies into a business. “Having a program that would teach me how to open a business, what to take into consideration, and how I could make it work was essential for me to feel confident enough to take the risk,” she explained. Additionally, the continuous support she received afterward opened up incredible new possibilities.
The catalyst for launching her business came during the pandemic, when Inês suddenly had extra time on her hands. She returned to drawing—something she had always loved—and with her husband’s encouragement began selling her work at small markets. For two years, she balanced both careers before making the leap to focus entirely on illustration.
Today, Inês runs her business part-time while caring for her two young daughters. “I feel that my work and business are growing into a more sustainable form,” she responded when asked about her current situation. By branching out into multiple areas—ranging from art prints, postcards, and pins to custom B2B illustrations—she has built a solid creative direction.
Cover of a digital guide to Bali featuring a Rhinoceros Hornbill. B2B illustration by Inês.
Despite her steady progress, being an entrepreneur comes with hurdles. The biggest barrier was internal. “It was myself and my fear of failing,” she reflected. “I had to learn how to accept criticism and change when I thought I had it all figured out.” Externally, navigating the local retail space as a newcomer also presented challenges, particularly with stores that prefer a traditional Finnish name attached to the products they sell.
Yet, the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Inês has found that Finland is the perfect canvas for her work, which focuses heavily on bird appreciation. “People here value nature and art,” she said, noting how deeply meaningful it is to connect with locals.
Looking ahead, Inês feels hopeful about expanding her work into physical spaces like boutique shops, zoos, and natural parks.
When asked what advice she would pass on to aspiring entrepreneurs in Finland, she emphasized the importance of passion. “Do something you love, which I know is a painful cliché,” she said. “Having your own business involves a lot of work, including all the admin tasks you might dread. If you love what you do, it gives you that extra boost to face those things. It is liberating, but also demanding.”