From Life Crisis to Financial Freedom: How to Turn Pain Into Purpose After Toxic Relationship with Heli Katajamäki [Ep. 28]

The Freedom Pivot: Business Intuition & Breaking Cycles to Starting Your Business

What happens when life collapses under you — when the relationship you trusted turns toxic, and the future you imagined disappears overnight?

In today’s episode, Heli Katajamäki shares her powerful story of navigating a life crisis, rebuilding from the ground up, and creating financial freedom through entrepreneurship.

Heli is the founder of Avec Heli Events, a boutique agency producing high-hospitality executive events across Finland, the Nordics, Europe, and the Middle East. But before she built a thriving international business, she faced the painful reality of leaving a toxic relationship, raising a small child alone, and starting over with nearly nothing.

This conversation is about what it really looks like to turn pain into purpose — one honest decision, one client, one act of courage at a time.
Heli opens up about:

• the moment she realized her life was built on lies
• how entrepreneurship became her lifeline out of crisis
• rebuilding self-worth after emotional manipulation
• choosing financial independence as a path to safety and freedom
• the long, nonlinear healing journey after toxic dynamics
• finding purpose through service, connection, and meaningful work

If you’re navigating your own crisis, questioning your worth, or trying to imagine a life beyond survival, this episode is a hopeful reminder that the story isn’t over. Freedom is possible — and you don’t need perfect circumstances to begin.

About Heli Katajamäki:

Heli Katajamäki is the founder of Avec Heli Events, a boutique event agency specialising in high-hospitality executive events across Finland, the Nordics, Europe and the Middle East. After rebuilding her business and financial independence following a toxic relationship, Heli has grown her business to serve companies seeking thoughtful, intimate and commercially impactful customer and leadership events.

Heli has produced events for major Nordic and global companies across multiple industries. Her signature approach blends warm hospitality, strong project management and a deep understanding of how human connection shapes business decisions.

Learn more about Heli:
Avec Heli Events website
LinkedIn
Heli on Instagram

Work with me

If you’re ready for your own freedom pivot to build a business that aligns with who you are, not who you’ve been told to be — I’d love to support you.

• Business Intuition Workshop: A 2-hour deep dive to access your next-level clarity and direction. → More info here
• Connect on Instagram: @curious_hannele

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