Have Your Bread and Butter
This one is particularly important to freelancers just getting started, but bear it in mind regardless. Of course this could be applicable to a multitude of countries, but certainly, is very important in Germany. This is because no matter where you are at within the business itself you will be required to pay certain things every month (not just rent) but insurances , pensions, radio and TV licence - it is not ideal, but it is a reality and it could be an even more expensive one. That is, whatever it is you are focussing on in terms of a good or service that you are offering, having something at the core of your business and skill set that can easily be monetised. This is your bread and butter. For example, you might be an artist who is leaving behind the corporate world to focus more on shows/galleries. But with a background in identity design, you also are able to offer this as a service.
This is the difference in the beginning. Sure, it is not the work you want to be doing but it is also a way to be sustaining yourself for the work you really want to be doing. Networking can be a slow way for work to roll in, at times, so it is important all the bases are covered. Again, seeing yourself as a business is the first strong point and with that comes the bread and butter concept. As long as you have got your bread and butter, you won’t starve. That’s a good point actually, avoid starving if you’re trying to make it as an entrepreneur in Germany. It could make it really hard otherwise… Good thing, Germany is known for its bread and butter.
Hire Help
Most of all, remember the purpose behind why you are here and why you took the plunge to be in business for yourself. You are here to focus on what you are good at. So, are there things in your business that could be better handled by others? For example, getting the right bank account to sort your tax dollars. Getting a translator to make sure you are reading all of your letters and paying your bills on time. What about hiring a lawyer to write a standardised contract you can use for all business in Berlin? And of course, a tax agent who can talk with the tax office on your behalf and even assist you in establishing yourself as a business person in Germany. Hiring the right kind of professional help as you are setting up here can also circumvent language barriers so many new business people and expats face - while still paying respect to the culture and country you are moving to.
Hopefully, this article lays out just a few of the things you need to keep in mind here. It is a country where the results will often reflect the amount of work put in. It therefore, is a place when entrepreneurs can succeed. So, set forth, keep the head straight and go forward with the very best attitude you can, and Germany might just be the place for you.