Jenny Widén
The oldest of three siblings, he grew up in the Skarphagen area in Norrköping although strongly influenced by entire summers spent at the family’s holiday home Slättö in the St. Anna archipelago. It is no coincidence that his company bears the same name.
Johan Karlsson enjoyed doing his military service as a coastal ranger even more than he had expected. For a while, he envisaged a future in the military. You could say this has come true, but not in the way you might think. When he was back home again, his mother reminded him of the importance of further studies, and he eventually chose the Commercial and Business Law programme at LiU.
Studies became a springboard
He encountered a programme that broadened his horizon, providing a broad base with a language for working life and an understanding of entrepreneurship. It was perfect as a springboard. Actually, it was so perfect that he didn’t even take the time to graduate.
Alongside his studies, he had already started his first company. And since the company was based in Stockholm, and was well underway, it was difficult to combine with studies and commuting to Linköping. Instead, his younger brother Mikael had to take on the responsibility of studying until he had been awarded the family’s first academic diploma.
The road into real estate
Jenny Widén
The second story has to do with changes in the Armed Forces, such as mandatory military service being abolished, and the Coastal Artillery being moved from the northern to the southern Stockholm archipelago. As this became the workplace of employed soldiers, no barracks were built, but normal, civilian housing was needed nearby.
Around the end of the 00s there was a financial crisis – and while others withdrew, Johan saw opportunities, thinking: “if no one else is building, even though they need housing, why shouldn’t I?” Johan says he was probably happily unaware that many people thought this was a bad idea. He cared about the target group, land was easy to get hold of, and cheap, but he had no money. But he had Haninge Municipality with him – and eventually a financier onboard.
Hard work and courage
In a couple of years they built 150 homes and the years that followed were marked by rapid economic growth in the country. Property development had suddenly become an excellent idea for a profitable future. Johan says that a lot comes down to timing – sometimes you are lucky, sometimes you are unlucky. Hard work is always needed and you have to dare take the leap when an opportunity presents itself. This particular leap was the start of Slättö, the company which as of 2013 is the largest in the group of companies that Johan runs together with his brother Mikael.
In addition to real estate, these deal with investments in the energy and defence sectors: energy storage, software for drones and complex service and installation services where customers include European defence forces and others in total defence.
For Johan, entrepreneurship is more than a job – it is a lifestyle. He believes that those of his co-workers who are most comfortable are those who are self-motivated and who find going to work meaningful. That is how he has always felt. At the same time, he says that one must never forget that success is also based on social conditions – on research, education, on other people’s work.
Support for urban development
Jenny Widén
When the opportunity arose to support research and education at Linköping University, in urban development and logistics, being part of this to give something back was a no-brainer. Johan says that both he and his brother have much to thank LiU for. He refers to the programme that gave them the tools that laid the foundation for their entrepreneurship. Contributing to the university’s continued development, the well-being of the cities there, and the entire region, feels like the right thing to do.
Their donations so far amount to SEK 10 million. The collaboration is still in its infancy, but Johan can already see the benefits for both parties. He tells us that they have met with researchers, gained insights and discussed applications.
Their drive to contribute is deeply rooted and has its origins in experiences gained both during military service and at home. Their parents taught their children that work should be meaningful, and preferably for the benefit of others. Life is not just a matter of money, but about responsibility, taking care of something. Building for the future.
Jenny Widén
