From unemployment to self-employment as a carpenter

Qillaq-Karl Kristiansen completed his carpentry training in 2018 and today runs his own business, Hanahoq (carpenter, ed.).

– I worked as a carpenter for a few years, but I had never thought about becoming self-employed, Qillaq-Karl Kristiansen tells Sermitsiaq.

The road to independence

He had a job, but was sent home due to a lack of tasks.

– In October, we were exempted from work due to a lack of tasks, and I spent about two months renovating my apartment, says Qillaq-Karl Kristiansen.

After a period without work, he decided to start his own business.

– I had never thought about becoming self-employed, but when I couldn’t find another job, I decided to start my own business, he says.

With support from the Thule Foundation, he was able to realize his plans.

– I applied to the Thule Foundation for support to start a business so that I could use the money to buy equipment, explains Qillaq-Karl Kristiansen.

He started the business in the summer of 2024 and could not get building materials shipped by ship.

– I started with small projects. I renovated a balcony for the first time using materials I could buy in Pilersuisoq, he says.

Challenges when starting

In the beginning, it was difficult to be unknown.

– The hardest thing was getting started because I had no contacts in the companies. That made it difficult to start, says Qillaq-Karl Kristiansen.

He therefore began to actively create networks.

– I have sent emails to companies to tell them about myself. Now I am contacted by several companies offering jobs, he says.

As a self-employed craftsman in Qaanaaq, logistics are a challenge. The ship with supplies calls at Qaanaaq two to three times a year.

– We have to wait for materials. Most of the work is in the summer season, he says.

Recruiting labor Last year there was so much work that he employed four employees from the summer to January or February.

– Now there are fewer jobs again, so I only have one employee, he explains.

It has not always been easy to be self-employed, and at one point he considered giving up.

– Sometimes it is hard and other times it is easier. It is important not to give up, because it helps us to keep going, says Qillaq-Karl Kristiansen.

A support for the local community

He supports local sports clubs and activities – both financially and through his business.

– Since there are so few opportunities for sports in Qaanaaq, I would like to support the athletes who participate. For example, I help with dog sled races, supervise the route and have built a ramp from the ice to land for dog sleds, says Qillaq-Karl Kristiansen.

The future

The company Hanahoq is still small, but its ambitions are bigger.

– I'm not the best at planning, so it's hard to imagine the future. But I certainly hope that the company will grow, he says.

He currently has a workshop in a small, former kiosk and hopes for larger premises.

– I would like to have enough materials in stock for a whole year, says Qillaq-Karl Kristiansen.

According to Qillaq-Karl Kristiansen, there are currently three private craftsmen in Qaanaaq, but he does not see competition as a problem.

– I don't feel that we are competing. There are few of us in town, and it seems as if we divide the tasks between us, says Qillaq-Karl Kristiansen.