The 40-year-old from Berger has always had an entrepreneurial dream. Now he's hoping his latest idea can become his new livelihood.
On a daily basis, he works as a digital marketer, something he has done for several years. The 40-year-old has always known what he wanted to be and worked towards it. Yet he has also always been a little restless.
- "I've always had a little entrepreneurial soul in me and I think about things all the time," he says.
Nordengen has already created many different websites and some dating sites, which he has sold. He also runs the website «Egenart», which sells art.
Now, however, he has embarked on a completely new project, which is quite different from what he has done before.
Started by accident
18 years ago, Tine (39) suffered a setback - now she's fought back: - Achieved what I hoped for.
It all started by chance, when his partner and work partner, Tine Gajda, came across a video on social media from the USA. The video showed how you can register and create a prologue that can be used on the gravestone on the day you pass away.
- So we thought we'd do some of the same things, just a little differently," says Nordengen.
That was the start of the idea, which today has become the newly launched website «mimrelink». The idea is that the remains of someone who has passed away can create a profile on the website and write something about the deceased person.
- For example, it can be background, hobbies or professions. In addition, you can add as many photos and videos as you like, as well as various links. In this way, the story of the person will be preserved, because it's all about preserving memories," says Nordengen.
Once the prole has been submitted, the person who created it will automatically receive a QR code that can be attached to the gravestone of the deceased. Anyone visiting the cemetery can then scan the code with the camera on their mobile phone and view the information contained in the person's prole.
- As a visitor, you can also add your own memories. Everything that is sent in is checked by me, so that nothing goes out automatically. I will also notify the person who created the prole to make sure that what is added is correct. So security and privacy are well taken care of," Nordengen assures.
First out in Svelvik
After 12 years, Jorun and her employees have a new everyday life: - It's really nice
Although the idea was launched less than a week ago, he is confident that people can benefit from it.
- When I was a kid, there were albums with photos, but they have gradually disappeared. People nowadays have most of their photos on their phones, as we live in a digital world. That's why I think this can help preserve the memories of those who are no longer here," says the 40-year-old.
He and his brother lost their mother when they were only 16 and 10 years old, which means that his children do not have the same memories and experiences of her as they do. That's why Nordengen has chosen to put a QR code on her gravestone, which is currently also the first and only stone with such a code in Svelvik and throughout the country.
- The pictures we have left of her now are just a few that hang on the wall in our home. I think it's a good thing to be able to pull up the history and memories we have and pass them on to my children via this code," says the 40-year-old.
He also emphasizes that the father will lie in the same place when he passes away.
- Then he will get a profile on the same chip that is already here, so that it is turned into a kind of family prole, without the need for more chips on the stone," explains Nordengen.
Walked quickly
The 40-year-old from Berger is now in full swing with the new project, and says that it didn't take long from when he started until he could launch.
- "It went very quickly because I knew in advance what I was going to do. That's why it didn't take more than a month, but I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing," he says with a laugh.
He emphasizes that the platform he already uses for other projects was a good fit for the new one. So it was easy for him to embark on something new. Nevertheless, Nordengen emphasizes that he is not finished, and points out that the idea will always be under development.
- "Right now, I use a supplier who produces the pieces for me in Sande, but I imagine that in the long term I will do it myself.
Big ambitions
Although Nordengen's mother's gravestone is the first and only stone with a QR code, the 40-year-old has big ambitions to reach a wider audience.
- Norway is the first target group, but I see myself eventually expanding to Denmark and Sweden and having a Scandinavian rma.
He admits that this may be ambitious, but points out that it's important to have goals to strive for.
- I'm confident and so far I've had nothing but good feedback," he says, adding that many people have already registered and started creating proles.
The goal is to be able to do this permanently and quit his current job.
- It may well be that it's meant to be and that this is fate," he says with a smile.
