Starting a business in Germany

There’s a saying in German “selbständig ist selbst und ständig” meaning you’re always working and you’re alone. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Starting a business requires discipline, structure and a lot of grit. So if you’re doing this, kudos to you! Work-life balance is key here. I remember when I first started out, I worked all the time, including evenings after my daughter was in bed and weekends. This led to me falling severely ill after which I realised I needed to change. So I fixed a work schedule and stuck to it. I keep working on organising my work better.

It is FUN! You have so much flexibility, all the decisions are in your hands and you can take the business into any direction you want! I learned so many things, so if you enjoy learning, then this is the right career path! 

It’s not always easy: you will make plans and then so many things will come in your way and force you to change your plans. You might even fail at some things, people might not buy your products/services. But don’t lose hope! Take a look at your strategy and make the necessary changes. Maybe even work with a coach if you need clarity. So you need to stay flexible and keep an open mind.

It doesn’t have to be lonely: there are so many options to network, Facebook groups and offline events. There are also business groups for female founders to attend workshops, offline events and connect with other women like you. If you’re a coach and looking to connect with other coaches, then join the Coaches Community Facebook Group.

It’s all about the customer: When doing anything, keep your ideal customer in mind. Talk to them, plan for them, learn from them and give them what they need to solve their problems and make their lives easier. Do some of it for free to earn money, but also think about your prices, so that you’re not running a free charity! And the money will start coming in.

It’s not all on your shoulders: You can delegate tasks, especially the ones that you don’t enjoy or aren’t good at. I paid for an expert to make this beautiful website, I have a specialist doing my accounts and taxes, and even found a virtual assistant who helps me with some small tasks here and there when I need her. Think about this in the beginning of your journey and delegate tasks so that you can do the work that you actually enjoy.

It’s all about the work-life balance: You probably want to start a business to have more flexibility to spend time with your family. This is really been very advantageous for me too, managing the sick days, the days on which the kita is shut, I don’t plan appointments and can freely plan the day with my child. It’s easy to get caught up in the work, because it’s fun, you’re passionate about it, you’re trying to create a sustainable business. So you might end up working many long hours, when your children are asleep, and maybe even on weekends. I did that too initially, because I was in such a hurry to get started. But I learned that is not healthy or sustainable. And I ended up spending less time with my family! So I took a step back, reflected on my time management and made some serious changes!