Hi all

I have been living near Basel for just over three years and I need advise on how to start up a small business please messaged me back.

Thank you for your help in advance

Damene

Welcome to the forum

I suggest you may want to give a little more in the way of detail and maybe demonstrate that you have done a little research before you post such a demanding type of question

Maybe you'd like to have a look around some of the relevant areas of the forum using the search function first, and then post if there are some specific questions you have?

Welcome to EF.

What're you selling?

Hi

The service that I want to offer is building flatpack items from places like Ikea and stores like that. I only work 2 days per week and I am just wanting to fill my time. I have had plenty of requests for this kind of work but I want to do it in the correct manner and pay the right amount of tax etc...

Thank you for moving the tread to the right place

Speak to an expert in the field of setting up a small business?

Or advertise in the form of a question on an ex-pat forum?

Hmmmm - tough choice

I used a company called IFJ to get advice on how to set up my business in Switzerland. They are really good and not expensive at all, and do the whole setting up process for you.

Do you speak German? I'm not sure, if any of them speak English. Ms Proietto there was and still is my contact, for any help I may need - she is great!

Well done and good luck.

No I only speak english, I would be great if you could send me a private message with the contact details

Sent you their details ;-)

If you only speak English then I would advise against setting up a business in Switzerland. You have to understand what it is you are signing and then deal with things on an ongoing basis. If you need an adviser every time something official arrives in the post then it quickly gets expensive. My wife is Swiss and without her I would be totally lost with all the paperwork etc, and my German is pretty good.

I don't want to be negative, just realistic. Good luck if you go through with it.

You have an interesting business idea that could work. However I wonder how much luck you'll have getting customers if you only speak English. And I second Nigelr's comments. Just go in with your eyes open.

Have you read this thread? How to freelance in Switzerland?

Btw - as a non-German speaker I set up my GmbH over seven years ago. I have an English speaking accountant and insurance adviser. I've never had any problem with the paper work, though occasionally I've asked a Swiss friend to go through it with me. There's not much official that comes through - mainly AHV communication, tax returns and various forms for insurance.

Now my wife and I have reasonable German it is easier, but don't let the lack of German put you off.

__________________
Down with racism. Long live miscegenation!

Really setting up a GmbH without speaking German!! It should be a great inspiration for everybody.

Sure, learning the language of the land has it's advantages...but that should not be a hindrance to your goals and can be achieved while pursuing your goals.