We are Broochy - A Finnish startup that created an online clothing marketplace specifically for streetwear. Ask us anything about our company or Finland in general!

Do finnish people drink as much as the rest of the world thinks they do?

YES! I always hide a bottle of vodka under my table.

Proof please

How do I attach a photo?

Are Finns in general aware of the contribution they made to the development of the US?

There is an image of log-cabin frontier life in the US as it spread across the continent. It is usually not appreciated that the culture pictured was brought to this continent by Finns. In the mid-1600's Sweden was hoping to establish a colony along the Delaware River between the Dutch in New Amsterdam and the English in Maryland. They moved a lot of people living in Finland to populate the colony. It turns out that the culture of those people were a very good match for life in the New World and had a lot in common with that of the Native Americans. It was Finland that taught everyone else log-cabin construction and living comfortably in the wilderness. All the others were trying to hack out a small-scale version of the normal European life they knew.

Go Finns!

The history education is quite comprehensive in Finnish schools, but I can't really say how many people know of this. A more recent expat wave to the US in 1860-1950 is better remembered, as most finns have relatives who moved to the US and Canada back then.

Eetu - At least I wasn't aware of this! Sounds so cool. It's pretty basic skillset for Finns to know how to ski, make fire etc. For some reason we all like to hide in our summer cottages especially during summer (also during winter sometimes). What you said makes me very proud. I would love to move U.S myself too.. it's a shame that the colonial ages are way gone and I could no longer build my own house wherever I want. :D are you American?

As someone who's knowledge of 'fashion' stops somewhere between slacks and Ugly Christmas Sweaters. What exactly is Street Wear?

Is it like, casual-wear with a brand attached, or...?

Streetwear is really as much of a style-orientation as it is a culture. The roots are in skater and surfer style, but today it's much more than that.

I think that Bobby Hundreds explains this quite well in a article on complex (a great street culture and news source) http://www.complex.com/style/2017/02/what-is-streetwear-by-bobby-hundreds

That only hurt my head a little, but what I gather is that as a style, it's like a big melting pot of 'street' cultures. Wear what makes you feel like both an individual, and being in a culture bigger than yourself.

Or perhaps, I just really need to catch up on my sleep. But thanks for the reply! Best of luck with your startup, (and maintaining your sanity). I hope one day I can say, "Oh crap, I talked to that guy once!".

Aki - I think that your description is quite on point.

Sleep tight Uncle Joe

Bunch of kooks wearing ghetto ass designer jeans rolled up way too far, extra long t-shirts with some mix of big sunglasses, necklaces, rolled up denim across the board, designer tattoos, some yeezies or converses or leather based boots, and probably some ugly ass wide brimmed hat

A culture with shallow roots based on the idea of "wow surfers and skaters look sick as fuck", a fade which will likely pass within 2 years

Signed,

Someone who's lived from SD to the bay his entire life

Eetu - Hahahaha

Are you going to include some kind of mosquito netting for summer wear in Finland?

I visited Finland to see the midnight sun. Could occasionally see it through the clouds of giant voracious mosquito swarms.

We'll have to consider that ;)

Follow-up mosquito question: Why do you never get bitten in a sauna?

I spent an extraordinary amount of time in various saunas...

Aki - We'll I guess that mosquitoes don't like the sauna as much as their human friends ;)

Is finland real or is it just east sweden used by the russians and japanese to get around fishing limitations?

Aki - Feels very real from where I'm sitting!

OP, that comment was inspired by a joke conspiracy theory.

Which actually launched on reddit right?

Yup. /r/Finlandconspiracy

Hilarious :D

What type of fish are you going to eat for dinner tonight?

Aki - I was thinking of a boeuf tartar fish. It's basically a boeuf tartar which you eat with your eyes closed thinking of a big badass fish.

Random fact: the goalie for my favorite hockey team, Tuukka Rask, is Finnish.

Are you guys into hockey? Who's your favorite team in the NHL? Do you guys ship to Boston? Who are you wearing now mostly?

Aki - Cool. Tuukka is a great goalie. We do take part in the occasional hockey game!

The bruins do kick ass, but I'm personally more of a Dallas guy myself ;)

We do ship to Boston. HUF and Stussy have been popular this week at the office!

I love the Bruins, really wish we would have kept Seguin. Fantastic about the shipping information. Stussy is so sick. How do you guys feel about the rise of Supreme and their upcoming collaboration with Lacoste?

I think that Supreme does a lot of cool gear as well as marketing.

I think that we're going to continue seeing a lot of these collabs in the near future. We'll see who makes it ;)

This is cool guys. I'll definitely keep this site in mine. One thing though, you got shoes in a US 15?

You'll find most shoes in a variety of sizes!

Do you know the Will it Press guy?

Press

Eetu - YES! The legendary hydraulic press -guy :)

Got any jobs for a Swede?

Aki - We're always looking for talented people :). Hit me up at [email protected]

You are too chatty to be real Fins. Are you sure you're not Swedish?

Eetu - need to remember that we're behind computer screens at the moment ;)

I saw an interview with verustaleka, a Finnish army surplus store in Helsinki, and they ALL had pictures of Simo Häyhä in their wallets, can you say the same?

Eetu - What do you mean?

What time does the sun go down in helsinki this time of year?

Around 6:30pm! The sun doesn't set at all during midsummer in here though, which is pretty unique :)

Is your job boring?

Aki - Running a startup is never boring. I would definitely not be able to do this if it wasn't exciting.

How many Fins are there in the Land?

Aki - approx. 5,4 million people live in finland out of which 5,36 million are born here.

Do you all carry knives?

Aki - That would be a no. It's a felony to carry one unless you need it for labour ;)

What historical event do you think is most important to the national identity of the Finnish people?

Aki - We declared our independence from the Soviet Union on the 6th of December in 1917.

Have you managed to turn the investments into profit or are you still behind?

We are not yet profitable - and it would be extremely rare for a marketplace business to be after a year of founding :)

How do you feel about making rad sort of mash of semiformal-streetwear clothing? Like a cool button-up shirt to wear under a jacket of some sorts. Also what has been the hardest thing about creating your startup?

Eetu - That's a cool idea! We're actually not making any clothes at Broochy, but instead operate a shopping platform that let's you discover and/or shop products from the best streewear brands/retailers. We're adding new brands & retailers to Broochy all the time, if you know any good ones you'd like to have included feel free to let me know! The hardest thing must be building a product that people absolutely love to use. :)

Thanks for the answer. Sorry I misunderstood your business at first. And unfortunately I don't know of any brands that would be good for Broochy. But good luck though and I'll check it out if I have a chance after work

Yay! enjoy work ;)

How come you started a US and UK platform while based in FInland? Normally you'd think that you'd want to start in your own home turf where it'd be easier to reach local brands...?

The Finnish market is rather small with 5,4 million people. That's the main reason :)

That's a really good question. Normally that's the case, but I think that it's the same thing to get your concept working in Finland, as it is to get it working in the States for example. Why start in a small market if you can start in a big one :)

How popular is Patrik Laine?

Eetu - Well he's playing the Jets, so pretty popular. Nothing compared to Selänne's rampage when he entered NHL tho.. HAHA

Two questions:

1. Name really good Finnish desserts and link to a recipe please

2. Any plans to cater to plus size wear like size xl-xxl (10-16) at least?

1. This is something really weird to other than Finns (but really good): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A4mmi - it's eating on easter :) top that with some cream and its gold!

2. Yeah, the products we've brought on our website they come from other retailers. We're adding more and more streetwear products to the site all the time, but I'm sure the already is plus size clothing :)

Has everyone in Finland seen the northern lights?

Aki - I would say no.

Why is your site down?

Eetu - A really good question! I think we're under attack by some fellow Redditor. Never happened before - working on it :)

Aki - Maybe you can tell me? ;)

GOD ALLU or BOT ALLU?

Eetu - What do you mean?

I don't play CS if that's what you mean ;) Sold my PC a few years ago..

Why?

?

Is it true that personal space in Finland is measured in km?

Eetu - YEP! haha. We're mainly awkward with strangers and want to be left alone in our personal silos of social survival. It's pretty funny, small talk is often more awkward than just being quiet when around people you don't know :D

Ah ok (to my other question)

I hear Finnish people are very racist and dont let many immigrants in (Like Sweden). Is that true?

I wouldn't say that Finns are racist.

Do you have any Finnish brands on your lists like Cloything or Itä?

Eetu - No we don't :'( It's a shame that most of the good streetwear brands are from US!

have you guys tired to go on shark tank?

Eetu - Not yet hahahah! would so fun though. We like pitching with Aki :'D

Do you sell only men's items?

Eetu - yeah, we're opening the site for women in the near future too! But we're staying in streetwear as it's the best ;)

What do people in Finland eat for breakfast?

Eetu - A glass of of juice and OAT PORRIDGE ! It gives you the nutrients to to keep going for the day haha. We're a nation built by physically labouring peasants afterall ;)

Also, how was your education as a child? I study education, and many Americans love to talk about how awesome Finnish schools are. Is it as good as people say, or are Finnish schools overrated?

Also, what is school lunch like at a Finnish public school?!

Thanks!

Also, how was your education as a child? I study education, and many Americans love to talk about how awesome Finnish schools are. Is it as good as people say, or are Finnish schools overrated?

Eetu - education is pretty good. It's difficult to compare as I haven't studied anywhere else haha! But some people say that it's the best in the world? The food gives you all nutrients to keep you going.. so no Pizza Hut / McDonalds / Taco Bell here..damnit

I want to come to Finland to do a PhD.

Here in Utah, people tend to be friendly and outgoing.

If I smile at people in Finland, will I be stabbed?

Aki - Finns are friendly, don't worry. Besides, pretty much all the large cities are quite multicultural these days.

Smile with your own responsibility.

Here in Utah, people tend to be friendly and outgoing.

HAHAH! Come here and you'll see ;) no.. we're pretty calm and trustworthy folk.

What do you think of the Danes? Do you ridicule them just like the Swedish do?

I love Danes! For some reason only Finns and Swedes have this thing going on haha. It's like a little brother-older brother friendly type of stuff.

Is it true that Finnish snipers are the deadliest humans in the world after Chuck Norris? I'm thinking of the White Death. Plus, the clothing line looks great!

Of course, we learn to shoot a gun at a very young age.

DId you do this because you couldn't get a job with Nokia?

:'DD exactly!

Were you involved in developing your website from the beginning? Or did you have other people do it for you? I am curious because I would like to start building my own website and thought about learning how to do it myself rather than contracting someone to do it.

We have developers in our team and we've also had contractor designers helping with the UI. We developed everything pretty much from the ground up without using much existing frameworks. Depending on what kind of website you want to build, always try to use as much existing components as possible. No need to reinvent the wheel :)

A few questions,

• Are you funded?
• How did you convince your first seller to use your platform?
• What kind of marketing do you use to get to your customers?

Thanks and good luck!

Eetu - Yeah, we're funded. We basically signed our initial base of sellers when we were still in something you call "stealth mode". We launched after we had enough sellers to provide inventory for our first customers :)

In general what do the Finnish people think of the UK and what is your opinion of Brexit?

Do you have any black/Asian/ other ethnic minority people in Finland?

Eetu - I think Finns pretty much like and respect English culture. I've got no opinion regarding Brexit, other than it makes my life much more difficult when I want to fly over haha (not yet but in the future I guess).. I visit London quite often :) yeah we have ethnic minority people like all other countries, but I think a lot less than any other European countries.. we've been late laggers in many things except technology after 1950's :D

Do you listen to wintersun?

Eetu - I do not, but Nightwish and some other finnish metal bands sure ;)

Nice.

You know Nightwish? I actually stumbled upon this metal bar/pub in central Helsinki some time ago. Saw Marco Hietala (their basist) and others drinking. I went over to their table and we had a blast that night... lots of hard liquor :thumbsup:

How do you guys compete with companies like Amazon? How do you keep your price points competitive? Are you planning on public stock options? If so, when? What's up with Finland these days? I know Russia is kinda going historical on you but how are things otherwise?

Hey! We're not competing with Amazon or any other retailer so far. We're basically "aggregating" the best streetwear products from from the best retailers. So basically we help people find streetwear in one central location, driving traffic to those retailers. What do you mean Russia is going historical? We're pretty much trying to boost the Finnish economy as we currently have so few big global businesses.. I like to think that the startup scene here is booming :)

Oh you know Russia, whenever something happens they threaten you guys. Great nation you have there, wonderful history. What is Finnish cuisine like?

Yeah they do haha. In general I think the relationships are good. We've won them in war already when they tried coming here and are more than willing to win again in case anything escalates hahah. Our cuisine is pretty much a hybrid of foods from the area of Sweden and Russia. Game is pretty common here as many people love to hunt (myself included)!