Starting an enterprise in Finland from scratch: Business plan for a family café

The aim of this thesis is to introduce and describe the stages of making an adequate and coherent business plan, implementable for bringing into life. In particular, this plan is intended for a new small family café and hence, a related theory will be expounded on this matter. Firstly, the paper will give a general theoretical framework on what entrepreneurship and business plan are. The theory in it describes different common sections that a thorough business plan usually has to have. Then it gives the general information on what a basic financial planning is and how it supports the business idea. Secondly, the work gives brief description of the main highlights of this project’s findings. The business plan is detailed enough to provide sufficient understanding of what it takes to open a new business in Finland. The SWOT analysis and estimation of costs will graphically indicate the project’s possible challenges and difficulties. Thirdly, the paper will preliminarily estimate the financial credibility of the project. In the final, conclusive part of the thesis the overall feasibility of the business idea will be evaluated, as well as the personal readiness of the author and her family for opening and running a business. During the whole process the project was backed up by the relevant literature and consultation with the business advisor at Cursor Oy, Kotka-Hamina Regional Development Company

Evidence of presence of HBCD in the environment and its health effects : literature review

HBCD, or hexabromocyclododecane, is one of many brominated flame retardants, that has been raising concerns as being potentially persistent and toxic. The data is, however, quite scarce and there is no research available on its effects on Finnish ecosystems. This literature review is presenting research from around the world that has been done regarding HBCD and its presence in the environment and in biota. The evidence shows that HBCD can be found in indoor and outdoor air, soil and sediment, plants, fish, marine mammals and other aquatic organisms, birds and also in humans. Main sources for its leakage into environment are identified to be construction and demolition waste, e-waste, and other types of trash in landfills, as well as polystyrene manufacturing facilities. However, more research on the presence of HBCD in Finnish environment, particularly its toxic effects, would be recommended