Is anyone in Berlin interested in getting together to help each other out with getting through the maze of bureaucracy and getting over the sometimes pessimistic "this will never work" attitudes?
I am trying to put together a group of people who would like to support each other in starting a business.
The first meeting will take place in January (exactly when is still undetermined) where I hope we can sit down and brainstorm in what ways we could help each other. This may involve just sharing knowledge about processes and regulations, helping with business planning, networking, or offering advice or feedback on ideas. Of course that is not all that we could do. It is up to us to make it what we want it to be. Who's in?
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Small business support network
Meet ups at "Sala del Popolo", Prenzlauer Berg
i remember whien i started, my business it took me so long with the berlin ampte, nearly bankrupt before i started, so yep we should do this, i learnt a lot the hard way Learn geld and it sucks
Hi allison, I've recently moved to Potsdam (just outside of Berlin) and run my own business - I'd definitely be interested in a small business network. Let me know if you get anything off the ground.
Dear Irish Berlin and SallyP and anyone else who may be interested,
Thank you for responding to this post and I am sorry for not being quicker in responding. I have been in italy without internet access for the past two weeks (not planned, broken computer!)
Anyway, I am back now and would like to make a proposal to meet up and talk about this small business group.
How does either Jan 17th or 24th in the evening work? I would like everyone who is interested in meeting up to be able to come so would need to know which day works better for you guys or if wednesday is out completely. We could meet at my yet to be opened due to bureaucratic nightmare cafe in Prenzlauerberg near the Schoenhauserallee Sbahn. How does that sound?
Hope to see you soon!
allison
Thank you for responding to this post and I am sorry for not being quicker in responding. I have been in italy without internet access for the past two weeks (not planned, broken computer!)
Anyway, I am back now and would like to make a proposal to meet up and talk about this small business group.
How does either Jan 17th or 24th in the evening work? I would like everyone who is interested in meeting up to be able to come so would need to know which day works better for you guys or if wednesday is out completely. We could meet at my yet to be opened due to bureaucratic nightmare cafe in Prenzlauerberg near the Schoenhauserallee Sbahn. How does that sound?
Hope to see you soon!
allison
Not exactly sure how this works...
You propose forming a group whereby persons could assist other persons in their own businesses?
Or, you propose a group of people with varied talents get together to create a business?
Or, you propose a group of people representing businesses get together, like a chamber of commerce?
Either or, I may have interest in this, although might not be able to make a meeting, as I'll be travelling to Krakow on business at the end 'o' the month.
My CV:
http://www.supercollage.com/cv/
You propose forming a group whereby persons could assist other persons in their own businesses?
Or, you propose a group of people with varied talents get together to create a business?
Or, you propose a group of people representing businesses get together, like a chamber of commerce?
Either or, I may have interest in this, although might not be able to make a meeting, as I'll be travelling to Krakow on business at the end 'o' the month.
My CV:
http://www.supercollage.com/cv/
Hi Artist aus Seattle,
Let me try to explain a little further. Basically, the idea was born out of my own frustrations in trying to open our cafe (one year now since we started and still not open) and the general lack of information, support, available to foreigners. Information seems to be treasured here and highly protected.
Anyway, the first idea is to share info. I figure that there must be others out there like me who now have alot of valuable information they could share with others who are at the beginning of the process. Perhaps my experience will help others to avoid some of my mistakes. Perhaps others have been through similar situations and have some advice for me. Perhaps we could share contacts for competent architects, builders, accountants, lawyers etc.
The second idea is just to offer support to each other in relation to concepts and ideas. It really helps alot when you have other people who you can bounce ideas off of. I am a firm believer that many heads are better than one.
The third is to be able to have others who you can bitch to who understand and are perhaps interested in your struggles. My friends, as wonderful and patient as they are, are perhaps a little sick of trying to help me navigate the through the reason why the bureaucracy is the way it is. We have gotten ourselves into a real mess and sometimes i just need to explain new developments to people and ask for advice as to which direction to go in. The problem is that my friends are not trying to open businesses so really dont know where to turn for help or how to support me when I have had yet another hard day of dealing with harsh bureaucrats hurling racists comments at me.
These are my initial thoughts. Of course what I would like to see happen is that as a group, we could come up with a more concrete structure that may involve creating a verein or something. The only support i see for foreigners was created by the turkish community (who I plan to contact to see what they do) so I figured why not start one for english speakers?
I hope that clarifies things a little and sparks some interest for others.
allison
Let me try to explain a little further. Basically, the idea was born out of my own frustrations in trying to open our cafe (one year now since we started and still not open) and the general lack of information, support, available to foreigners. Information seems to be treasured here and highly protected.
Anyway, the first idea is to share info. I figure that there must be others out there like me who now have alot of valuable information they could share with others who are at the beginning of the process. Perhaps my experience will help others to avoid some of my mistakes. Perhaps others have been through similar situations and have some advice for me. Perhaps we could share contacts for competent architects, builders, accountants, lawyers etc.
The second idea is just to offer support to each other in relation to concepts and ideas. It really helps alot when you have other people who you can bounce ideas off of. I am a firm believer that many heads are better than one.
The third is to be able to have others who you can bitch to who understand and are perhaps interested in your struggles. My friends, as wonderful and patient as they are, are perhaps a little sick of trying to help me navigate the through the reason why the bureaucracy is the way it is. We have gotten ourselves into a real mess and sometimes i just need to explain new developments to people and ask for advice as to which direction to go in. The problem is that my friends are not trying to open businesses so really dont know where to turn for help or how to support me when I have had yet another hard day of dealing with harsh bureaucrats hurling racists comments at me.
These are my initial thoughts. Of course what I would like to see happen is that as a group, we could come up with a more concrete structure that may involve creating a verein or something. The only support i see for foreigners was created by the turkish community (who I plan to contact to see what they do) so I figured why not start one for english speakers?
I hope that clarifies things a little and sparks some interest for others.
allison
FYI:
Anyone who is interested in meeting up this Wednesday (17.01) to talk about small business and to have a drink can come to "Fellas" on Stargarderstr very near to Schoenhauserallee at 20:00.
Anyone who cant make this meeting but who is still interested can let me know and I will keep you informed about what we came up with.
Hope to see you on Wednesday!
Anyone who is interested in meeting up this Wednesday (17.01) to talk about small business and to have a drink can come to "Fellas" on Stargarderstr very near to Schoenhauserallee at 20:00.
Anyone who cant make this meeting but who is still interested can let me know and I will keep you informed about what we came up with.
Hope to see you on Wednesday!
apparently, I've missed it.
What did you come up with?
What did you come up with?
Hi Allison
Sorry I wasn't able to make your first get together last week I was in London working. I would be interested to know how it went, and if you have any others planned...
Sorry I wasn't able to make your first get together last week I was in London working. I would be interested to know how it went, and if you have any others planned...
Great to hear from you both again and sorry for my delay in responding.
Let me fill you in on our meeting.
We met last week and decided to look into what it takes to be come official: either an eV or a buergergesellschaft.
After our consultation with a lawyer this week, we will have a clearer idea of exactly what we can and cannot do with an organization like this. From there we can start to figure out how we want this group to work and what we want to personally contribute and get out of this arrangement.
I feel quite positve and enthusiastic about the direction this is heading and think something like this is long overdue. We will call for another meeting probably within the next few weeks and I hope that this time we can get all those who are interested to meet each other. I will post the next date on this forum.
Until then!
allison
Let me fill you in on our meeting.
We met last week and decided to look into what it takes to be come official: either an eV or a buergergesellschaft.
After our consultation with a lawyer this week, we will have a clearer idea of exactly what we can and cannot do with an organization like this. From there we can start to figure out how we want this group to work and what we want to personally contribute and get out of this arrangement.
I feel quite positve and enthusiastic about the direction this is heading and think something like this is long overdue. We will call for another meeting probably within the next few weeks and I hope that this time we can get all those who are interested to meet each other. I will post the next date on this forum.
Until then!
allison
hi,
are you planning on having any more meetings? i'm a newbie to berlin but have been mulling around potential business ideas. would love to meet up with some similar minded people.
lauren
are you planning on having any more meetings? i'm a newbie to berlin but have been mulling around potential business ideas. would love to meet up with some similar minded people.
lauren
Hello,
Is anything happening further on this? Would love to get involved
Is anything happening further on this? Would love to get involved
Hi, is anything more happening with this? I'm also thinking about the pros and cons of setting up a business here and would love to get involved!
Hello everyone,
I am happy to hear there is still some interet in this group. Here is an update: legal issues have basically been sorted out, working now on the election of the board (in order to officially become a verein) and then we want to have a party of sorts. But, this will not likely happen until the beginning of June.
Would you like to come by my cafe for a coffee and a chat? That way we can talk more about what we have planned and you can tell me about what your needs are.
How's that sound?
allison
I am happy to hear there is still some interet in this group. Here is an update: legal issues have basically been sorted out, working now on the election of the board (in order to officially become a verein) and then we want to have a party of sorts. But, this will not likely happen until the beginning of June.
Would you like to come by my cafe for a coffee and a chat? That way we can talk more about what we have planned and you can tell me about what your needs are.
How's that sound?
allison
Well, I may be on a different level here, as I'm running a web startup, but would love to meet up and discuss business type things also. Please keep me abreast as well.
Where is your cafe? in P-burg? i'm on stubbenkammer strasse.
Travis
Where is your cafe? in P-burg? i'm on stubbenkammer strasse.
Travis
Hi Travis,
Nice to hear from you. The intention of this group is to gather people together from all sides of the small business spectrum who can share both general and specific, industry related knowledge. Although I personally know a lot more about gastronomy than web-start ups, there are certain cultural issues that apply to us all;like how to effectively deal with bureaucrats.
My place Sala del Popolo, not far from the Schoenhauser allee S/Ubahn station. The address is
Kuglerstr 31 (on the corner of Greifenhagener)
Berlin 10439
If you'd like to come by then just let me know. Afternoons work well for me.
Take care
Allison
Nice to hear from you. The intention of this group is to gather people together from all sides of the small business spectrum who can share both general and specific, industry related knowledge. Although I personally know a lot more about gastronomy than web-start ups, there are certain cultural issues that apply to us all;like how to effectively deal with bureaucrats.
My place Sala del Popolo, not far from the Schoenhauser allee S/Ubahn station. The address is
Kuglerstr 31 (on the corner of Greifenhagener)
Berlin 10439
If you'd like to come by then just let me know. Afternoons work well for me.
Take care
Allison
I'm aiming for an online fair-trade business within the next few years, and I'm exploring a lot of options - I've been in Berlin for about a year now and am trying to figure out if this is the best place to start my business. Do you think you have relevant experience that may be helpful?
Hi Solagratia,
I think it would be best for you to come to an event or meeting. That way you can meet people who may also be interested/experienced in your field who may be able to help you in a more significant way. Nevertheless, you are always welcome to come by my place for a coffee and a chat!
Take care,
allison
I think it would be best for you to come to an event or meeting. That way you can meet people who may also be interested/experienced in your field who may be able to help you in a more significant way. Nevertheless, you are always welcome to come by my place for a coffee and a chat!
Take care,
allison
Hi, I'm new to the Berlin and new to the forum as well. I'm a web developer seeking to get a residency permit for one year minimum as a freelancer. I have work from the US and my lawyer tells me the residency shouldn't be a problem, but I would like to get involved with the Toytown community to share some ideas and experiences as I'm seeking clients here in Berlin as well because I plan to stay in Germany.
Foreign Entrepreneurs Support Network
On Friday June 8th we are having a get together for those interested in meeting, sharing ideas and information or just socializing .
The goal is to support each other in overcoming the barriers that many non-Germans feel when it comes to starting/running small/micro businesses here.
The environment is friendly, casual and informative. Come with your questions and your answers as well as your optimism and we’ll see what we can do for each other.
Friday, June 8th
19:30
Sala del Popolo
Kuglerstr 31
10439, Berlin
S/U Bahn Schoenhauser allee
Prenzlauerberg
Wine and appetizers will be served.
Donations are appreciated!
Please let us know you are coming
On Friday June 8th we are having a get together for those interested in meeting, sharing ideas and information or just socializing .
The goal is to support each other in overcoming the barriers that many non-Germans feel when it comes to starting/running small/micro businesses here.
The environment is friendly, casual and informative. Come with your questions and your answers as well as your optimism and we’ll see what we can do for each other.
Friday, June 8th
19:30
Sala del Popolo
Kuglerstr 31
10439, Berlin
S/U Bahn Schoenhauser allee
Prenzlauerberg
Wine and appetizers will be served.
Donations are appreciated!
Please let us know you are coming
Wine and appetizers, sounds good! But optimism? A delicacy. Count me in
Great! I look forward to meeting you!
allison
allison
Ahh, sorry I didn't make it yesterday. I had planned on it, but spent the better half of the day pedaling back and forth to Mitte, trying to get my Visa wrapped up. Took a long nap, woke up a little late, and was stuck in low gear for the remainder of the evening. I'll try to make it next time.
Hi Krostitzer,
I am sorry you didnt make it on Friday. It turned out really nice. About 25 showed up and we managed to legally create a e.V. There will be other opportunities to meet up though and if you are ever around kugler str, please stop in for a coffee. If you want to give me your email address i can add you to the mailing list so you will be informed of activities.
Take care,
allison
I am sorry you didnt make it on Friday. It turned out really nice. About 25 showed up and we managed to legally create a e.V. There will be other opportunities to meet up though and if you are ever around kugler str, please stop in for a coffee. If you want to give me your email address i can add you to the mailing list so you will be informed of activities.
Take care,
allison
Hi Alison,
Excellent idea with the support group. I'm also planning on starting a cafe in Berlin and any practical advice would be greatly appreciated. Are you planning any more meetings anytime soon, or is there a time when I could drop by your cafe and have a chat?
All the best.
Excellent idea with the support group. I'm also planning on starting a cafe in Berlin and any practical advice would be greatly appreciated. Are you planning any more meetings anytime soon, or is there a time when I could drop by your cafe and have a chat?
All the best.
Hello,
Since it is summer (or so they tell me) we dont have anything planned until September. I'll post the next get together on here when we know the date. The group has grown and we are now roughly 50 people! The more who join, the more we can offer each other.
I look forward to meeting you,
Allison
Since it is summer (or so they tell me) we dont have anything planned until September. I'll post the next get together on here when we know the date. The group has grown and we are now roughly 50 people! The more who join, the more we can offer each other.
I look forward to meeting you,
Allison
September?? Why not organize something sooner and see who shows up. Or perhaps something more specific, like, people with great ideas that work well on the web, meet with me
Seriously, it'd be nice to have something before September ... I'm interested if anyone else is.
Seriously, it'd be nice to have something before September ... I'm interested if anyone else is.
I am also starting a new business up in Berlin this fall so would love to get together before September if possible. Is anyone else interested in meeting up?
Dear Krostitzer and Beauty in Berlin
I have been completely overwhelmed with this project for the past few months and have been spending practically all my time organizing and meeting with people, legally founding this project, working on the website, putting together info packages, networking, and coordinating. What would be great is if people would like to help put this e.V together as there is a lot of work to get done before September:)
I organized a big event in June and we had a great turnout...krostitzer, you said you were coming but did not. We had about 30 people turn up. I have always made myself available to meet with anyone but I am not able to manage another event before september. If either of you would like to pop by my cafe for a chat, i am up for it, but right now my husband is in italy with our other business and I am alone running our cafe.
Drop me a line if you would like to pop in...
I have been completely overwhelmed with this project for the past few months and have been spending practically all my time organizing and meeting with people, legally founding this project, working on the website, putting together info packages, networking, and coordinating. What would be great is if people would like to help put this e.V together as there is a lot of work to get done before September:)
I organized a big event in June and we had a great turnout...krostitzer, you said you were coming but did not. We had about 30 people turn up. I have always made myself available to meet with anyone but I am not able to manage another event before september. If either of you would like to pop by my cafe for a chat, i am up for it, but right now my husband is in italy with our other business and I am alone running our cafe.
Drop me a line if you would like to pop in...
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