Finding work in Germany seems to be a constant theme throughout this forum. The Germans seem very strict on their employment procedures and market is very competitive.
Does any one reading this have experience in being self-employed in Germany?
If so, what did you do?
Why did you choose it?
What were the problems?
What were the successes?
You are viewing a low-graphics version of this page. Click the headline to view full version:
Moving to Germany and starting your own business
Advice for clueless newcomers to the country
Or have you noticed anything that would be a good business idea in Germany...? (that you can't be bothered to set up yourself)
TT isn't designed to be a free business consultancy to people who are completely clueless. If you want that service, go to a professional consultancy firm and pay for it.
Maybe someone here will take time out of their busy day to answer your many questions for free, but most likely anyone who is able to provide decent answers is too preoccupied actually running their business.
Besides, your first four questions could apply equally well to any country. They're not Germany specific.
Given that you even had to ask if we have books and cinemas in Germany, I'd say starting your own business here is a bit ambitous.
Maybe someone here will take time out of their busy day to answer your many questions for free, but most likely anyone who is able to provide decent answers is too preoccupied actually running their business.
Besides, your first four questions could apply equally well to any country. They're not Germany specific.
Given that you even had to ask if we have books and cinemas in Germany, I'd say starting your own business here is a bit ambitous.
A bit harsh I think; he can actually write coherent English sentences, which puts him in the top 10% straight away. Just needs to work on refining his questions.
God Damn it.
I hate being newb.
I hate being newb.
I run my own business. However, it's a very wide-ranging thing to say. What exactly does it mean?
It encompasses everything from, say, employing loads of people and investing significant to (like me and loads of others) largely trading on your knowledge / expertise which a lot of the time is not much different to freelancing or interim management. So I could say, of course, it's easy because I have in demand skills in a field where it was possible to thrive just in English when I first came here etc.
In basic terms, you have to do the same stuff as in England. Decide what to sell. Write a business plan etc. Work out how you will market, get clients etc. Put a lot of work into building networks.
Could you run a successful business in England? Would you even be considering it otherwise? If the answer is no, you probably won't be able to do it in another country. Not everyone is cut out for it and it's a risk to see it as an expedient solution for an immigrant to get round not being German, not speaking the language.
You also have to remember that you will need to function in German (even if you can conduct most business in English). You need it to attract local clients, deal with tax authorities (and take advantage of tax reliefs for selfemployed etc), arrange insurance, seek out new chances, reading business press and a million other things.
It's also hard to hit the ground running with a new business when emigrating. You have a 1001 things to do. Therefore, you have to have the time and resources to support yourself, perhaps for a few years.
It encompasses everything from, say, employing loads of people and investing significant to (like me and loads of others) largely trading on your knowledge / expertise which a lot of the time is not much different to freelancing or interim management. So I could say, of course, it's easy because I have in demand skills in a field where it was possible to thrive just in English when I first came here etc.
In basic terms, you have to do the same stuff as in England. Decide what to sell. Write a business plan etc. Work out how you will market, get clients etc. Put a lot of work into building networks.
Could you run a successful business in England? Would you even be considering it otherwise? If the answer is no, you probably won't be able to do it in another country. Not everyone is cut out for it and it's a risk to see it as an expedient solution for an immigrant to get round not being German, not speaking the language.
You also have to remember that you will need to function in German (even if you can conduct most business in English). You need it to attract local clients, deal with tax authorities (and take advantage of tax reliefs for selfemployed etc), arrange insurance, seek out new chances, reading business press and a million other things.
It's also hard to hit the ground running with a new business when emigrating. You have a 1001 things to do. Therefore, you have to have the time and resources to support yourself, perhaps for a few years.
QUOTE (Small Town Boy @ Sep 2 2008, 11:42 am) 
A bit harsh I think; he can actually write coherent English sentences, which puts him in the top 10% straight away. Just needs to work on refining his questions.
Agreed. Does seem to be a bit arbitrarily harsh considering what is going uncommented in the Berlin section of the forum at the moment:
I am a single mother, how easy is it to go 'benefits shopping' in Berlin?
or
I can't find the Berlin Wall. Did they knock it down or summat?
The other thing I'd add about self-employment is it can depend on your life position. Easy for me to say it's great. I've been working for 20 years, got loads of experience / skills, good CV, capital / pension / house behind me etc. I don't need to "earn a living". All I need a few k to avoid drawing on savings to pay running costs and the rest is fun money.
I'd fancy it far less if I was starting out and still needing to obtain long term financial security, solid job experience.
I'd fancy it far less if I was starting out and still needing to obtain long term financial security, solid job experience.
easy money to be made...if you believe people are giving money away for nothing. just read this:
http://www.dailyreckoning.com/
http://www.dailyreckoning.com/
You need German language skills..
It's not a country that is very friendly to the self-employed.
http://www.hk24.de/produktmarken/unternehm...ndung/index.jsp
takes you to the Hamburg Chamber of Trade's web page on setting up a business.
They try to help you - you need as a minimum a Gewerbeschein, which is a licence to run a business.
(Every area has a similar outfit).
(I need this (Gewerbeschein) even for running a tiny web based part time business that provides me with pin money).
It's not a country that is very friendly to the self-employed.
http://www.hk24.de/produktmarken/unternehm...ndung/index.jsp
takes you to the Hamburg Chamber of Trade's web page on setting up a business.
They try to help you - you need as a minimum a Gewerbeschein, which is a licence to run a business.
(Every area has a similar outfit).
(I need this (Gewerbeschein) even for running a tiny web based part time business that provides me with pin money).
You are viewing a low fidelity version of this page. Click to view the full page.