Piia Vaehaesalo

Entrepreneur, lead designer
An inexhaustible source of creativity, the spirit and soul of Utua. Piia is inspired by anything and everything, and as a skilled artistic personality, she gets to work immediately, and soon a new project is underway. And they don't get left unfinished; reaching the finish line is more the rule than the exception. Utua grows and develops under Piia's firm leadership: new collections are created, the online store is developed, and the sky's the limit!

Marja-Kaisa Linna

Collection Coordinator
There's nothing in Utua's shop or office that this industrious and efficient jack-of-all-trades can't handle. And if she can't, just wait a minute and she'll have it sorted. "Maika" is a girl from Kokkola who has traveled the world in her previous jobs. She has solid expertise in both purchasing and sales. The world of bags has captivated her, and she has a firm grasp of leather types and properties. Maika is skilled in Excel, Canva, and Shopify, and as a powerhouse, she keeps the entire Utua operation running smoothly.
under control.

Merja Hammar

Sales and Marketing Coordinator
Most often, this former advertising agency entrepreneur can be found at the computer working on graphic design and content creation, but sometimes also...
from the store side. Blogs, newsletters, social media updates and other necessary texts are a pleasant task, but also newspaper advertisements, brochures, labels and other printable leaflets and flyers that require a graphic designer's touch are part of the job description. Utua needs a wide range of skills and versatility is Merja's trump card. It is pulled out of the sleeve whenever a suitable wordsmith or a stylish advertisement is needed.

Kati Kastelli

Seller
Kati's gentle voice is recognizable both from the Utua shop and from the Langin Kauppahuone phone. This sovereign of service, a true delight, tells the story of Utua with equal enthusiasm to both new and old customers. Her favorite encounters involve chatting with admiring tourists and the Old...
Introducing the sights of Raahe. Hearty laughter echoes from the shop over there.
Even then, Kati manages to draw visitors into engaging conversations. And when there are no customers in sight, she effortlessly creates fascinating social media updates about life at Langin.

Oona Simila

Chief Operating Officer / Langin Kauppahuone
Piia's daughter has inherited a busy nature and organizational skills. Oona juggles dozens of things a day.
I run between Lang's kitchen, café, event spaces, and office. Utua's bags are as familiar to me as the recipe for cinnamon buns, and I fill in for the Utua staff in the shop when needed. Oona has also served admirably as a mannequin for Utua. No task is foreign to her in managing this manor complex. Sometimes she throws on an 1800s-style shop assistant's dress and presents Lang's history to groups. A real powerhouse, but she's young and has the energy!

Pasi Siipola - photo coming soon

The master and the farmhand
If something is broken or a hinge needs oiling, or if a sleeping nook needs to be built for Santa's elf by the window, or if the captain's adventure sauna needs heating for the guests of Langin Kauppahuone, Pasi is already on his way. Piia's husband's job description includes all repair, restoration, construction, and entertainment work. He stops by daily to crack a joke or two for the amusement of the women of Utua, and there is no situation for which the witty Pasi cannot come up with a suitable proverb or lighthearted comment.