Who are we

I’m Jaakko “Jake” Salminen, the founder of JAKE & IPI.

For most of my life, I thought I would pursue a career in finance. But deep down, I always had the feeling that I wanted to build something of my own, to create rather than analyse.

In the summer of 2023, I became chronically ill, which completely shattered my sense of self. For more than a year, I wasn’t able to achieve anything, and life felt like it was on pause. Then, in early 2025, I finally found a treatment that helped manage the chronic pain.

That experience made me rethink everything. What matters, what I want to do, and who I want to be.
I decided to stop postponing my dream and finally start something that reflects my values and creativity.

That’s how Jake & IPI was born. A small step toward doing something meaningful, sustainable, and uniquely ours.

I’m Iiro “Ipi” Havakka, co-owner of JAKE & IPI.

At JAKE & IPI, I work as the product manager. I’m responsible for sourcing products and shaping our selection. I actively keep up with current trends to make sure what we offer always feels fresh and relevant.

Before joining JAKE & IPI, I spent many years as an entrepreneur in the construction industry. Over time, I started to feel that it wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Then in 2025, I was laid off for a longer period, which gave me the space to really think about what I wanted. I decided it was time to follow my own path. Later that year, an opportunity came up to build something I had dreamed about for a long time—together with a close friend.

My interest in clothing and fashion started early. Even as a kid, I was very particular about what I wore and how I put outfits together. I always wanted to have the “coolest” clothes, even back in kindergarten.

That long-standing passion for fashion has now led me to pursue studies in fashion business (Vestonomi), which I’m aiming to start in 2026.