Once upon a time, there was a girl who, in the early morning dew, tiptoed in her nightgown, barefoot, to the vegetable patch in her yard to admire the dewdrops, sniff the flowers, and pop peas into her mouth.

The girl often adventured in the forest behind her home and in the swamp, climbing trees and paddling across the swamp with a makeshift oar fashioned from a branch. Sometimes she would sit on the roof of her house, wondering about the goings-on of the neighbor's dog.

The girl collected flowers from the yard, the forest, and the swamp, making them into bouquets which she sold from her tiny flower shop set up on the front porch to her grandfather and eldest aunt. Besides her own family, she sold them to the residents of her childhood home.

The girl roamed in her underwear along the edge of the vegetable garden and small field of her grandmother's house, known as Fairytale Land, collecting cornflowers and singing, "I walk along the field's edge without a shirt, no one stops me as I journey on."

She had adventures and played games similar to those of her mother, Marketta, in her own childhood, relying on her imaginary world.

That same girl is me, Minna Metsärinne.
A photographer, photographic artist, and amateur dancer from Kouvola, belonging to the extensive Mänttäri family.

My life's journey has led to work experience in about 50 different places. I have worked longest in film media, as a designer's assistant, and as an entrepreneur.

The MINNA brand was born from my nature photographs. Inspired by the gifts of beautiful nature, I have created patterns for fabrics and designed and produced ecological and unique products from them.

In December 2020, we launched our first collection in collaboration with my mother, Marketta: Metsärinne Original Collection.

In 2024, the Metsärinne Sauna & Spa Zero Waste Collection was created, featuring a 100% waste-free production plan, in collaboration with Sideflow Oy, which utilizes textile industry by-products.

In the summer of 2024, the brand was showcased at the World Sauna Forum in Jyväskylä as a new small entrant among larger brands such as Harvia and Lapuan Kankurit.

In November 2025, the brand was featured at the Finnish-led Nordik House Pop-Up Store in Milan, Italy. At the opening, I made my debut dancing solo and salsa with the piece "La Mia Via".

In February 2026, with a brand change, the name changed from Metsärinne to Minna. The journey now continues under the brand name MINNA Design, with textiles as its main products, complemented by my handmade jewelry of glass and steel.

 Photo: Martino Balestreri. Tuscany, Italy.

Nowadays, I adventure with my loyal friend, Rambo the dog, in Finland and around the world. In forests and fields, by the shores of lakes, rivers, streams, and seas, and in mountainous regions.

Rambo also serves as the animal ambassador and brand guardian for the MINNA brand. His task is to ensure that nature and animals are considered and respected in all activities. And that 5% of the sales price of every product sold is donated in full to animal welfare.

Postcards featuring Rambo have also been printed. 0.50 euros from each card sold is donated to animal welfare.

I plan my days so that both Rambo and I are happy.

I am with Rambo practically constantly. He accompanies me both at work and in my free time.

If work involves a car trip, at some point the wheels turn towards a dog park. If there's an evening event, Rambo waits for his owner, perhaps at a rented cabin. In the evening, we go for a swim.

It's almost impossible to get Rambo out of the water. He loves swimming. Nature adventures and swimming are our top shared activities.

Photo: Sari Wass. Sippola, Kouvola.

In addition to brand building and photography, I enjoy nature, yoga, and dancing. I dance alone or with my four-year-old goddaughter. Or I teach Bailatino dance classes. From February 2026 onwards, I will be a licensed Bailatino® instructor by the Finnish Dance Sport Federation (STUL).

My dance roots are in classical ballet.
In 2013, inspired by Latin American dances, I created the autobiographical dance piece My Way (15 min.) in collaboration with dance teacher and professional dancer Janne Outinen.

Originally, the piece was only meant to be performed at the opening of my My Way photo exhibition at Kuusankoski Art Mill in January 2014. Subsequently, the work, which features seven different dance styles and nine musical pieces, was supplemented with photographs projected onto the background. The piece has been performed at various events, such as the opening of Kouvola Days and the Night of the Arts.

In 2014-2015, the My Way dance piece was part of the City of Kouvola's Cultural Flow for Seniors pilot project, which aimed to promote well-being among the elderly through culture. The performance has adapted from a truck stage to nursing home dining rooms and concert halls.

In 2017, I participated with Outinen as my partner in the ProAm dance competition, which brings together professionals and amateurs, at the Old Student House in Helsinki. The competition categories were cha-cha-cha and tango.

Photo: Timo Tuviala, Tavaton Media.

All MINNA products are handmade in Finland with respect for nature and animals. They are produced in an eco-friendly, planet-friendly, and responsible manner, and only in response to demand, so no surplus is created.

The products are made from high-quality materials, with linen as the primary material—a durable and comfortable natural fiber.

The Association for Finnish Work has awarded the brand the Key Flag symbol from the very beginning as a mark of Finnish craftsmanship.

In addition to the online store, MINNA products are available at the tiny MINNA Shop, which operates in conjunction with City Salon Parturi-Kampaamo, a brick-and-mortar shop run by my mother, Marketta Metsärinne, for 30 years. The shop is located in the heart of Kouvola, on the street level of the Hansa Shopping Center, at Keskikatu 4, 45100 Kouvola, Finland.

The brick-and-mortar store offers a wider selection of samples than the online store. Wallets, pouches, towels, birch-veneer trays, postcards, and decorative canvas prints.

My MINNA brand is guided by the idea that products bring joy and color to people, as well as life and hope to animals.

Drawing inspiration from nature, respecting and enjoying it, and giving good back to nature. From nature, to nature.

Let’s do good together - a warm welcome to our lovely shop!

With joy and love 🌿 Minna & Rambo