Meet Janni Olesen
Please introduce yourself (who are you and what do you do in your life)
My name is Janni and I live on the West Coast of Denmark in Slettestrand. Me and one of my best friends run a local fish shop and eatery in a small coast town called Thorupstrand. We are located on the beach and solely use sustainably caught fish. We get most our fish from the small fishing boats on the beach.
Which team and when did you graduate?
Team 18, 2014.
What have you been doing since you graduated as a Kaospilot?
Right after I graduated, I started working with two of my team members, Rune and Nic, at bespoke. They needed someone in a CEO-ish position. However, as we didn’t really have any costumers it was a bit overkill to keep me onboard. Therefor I soon found myself in 1-year business development project in a company that traded flowers from NL to DK. This, in some weird way, opened the door for me to a software startup called Ascend XYZ. They had just landed a contract with the European Space Agency and were in need of a project manager, and there I was. After 3 years at Ascend XYZ, lastly as Head of Sales, we decided to move from Copenhagen to Nordjylland.
In Nordjylland a good friend told me that a fish shop in Thorupstrand was looking for a new owner, and 2 months later Thorupstrand Fiskehus was born.
What is important for you in your job?
Our team. Our guests. The integrity and quality of our concept.
What major learnings would you point out from your experience that have shaped you as a leader?
Let your passion shine through and whole heartedly trust your concept in the hands of your team – and they will levitate it to a place where you couldn’t go alone.
What is your biggest source for inspiration right now?
Oh so many! Suddenly all my many many dinners at great restaurants pays off as direct inspiration. Svinkløv Badehotel and my many years working there is an everlasting inspiration for me. The untamed nature where we live, it’s raw and honest. My husband, who is very different from me and therefor often see what I don’t.
do what you say you’ll do (I promise, this will put you ahead of 80% of all other people out there)
What would be an example of a learning or an experience from your time at Kaospilot that has been important to you?
Learning 1st hand why it is crucial for the quality of the final product that the team is diverse. It is the most challenging, frustrating and most giving part of being part the Kaospilots.
What is a piece of advice that you would like to give future Kaospilot graduates?
Try not to be too picky about what you work with straight out of school. Instead, concentrate on creating positive impact and change where you are, be curious, follow up and follow through, do what you say you’ll do (I promise, this will put you ahead of 80% of all other people out there) and doors will open for you one at the time.