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Behind the scenes of success: how to build a business in Germany from scratch and start living again
It's a bright sunny afternoon in a Stuttgart café. Across from me is a young man with an open smile and no doubt a creative profession. He looks so organic in this environment, as if he has spent his entire life among the artistic community of Stuttgart.
This is Mark Happel. He is 29 years old and from Kharkiv. A little over two years ago, endless devastating bombardments forced him to leave his hometown and his past life and move to Stuttgart.
Today, he is the head of his own dance studio and has managed to build his new life in Germany from scratch in a short time. And so today we will talk to Mark about how this is possible. This is a story about the power of the spirit, hard work and willingness to change your life.
To begin with, tell us a little bit about what you did in Ukraine?
In Ukraine, I worked in a dance group and opened my own dance studio. It was an extremely valuable experience that taught me not only how to develop my creative abilities, but also how to take responsibility for a team. This stage prepared me for my move to Germany by making me realise that I needed to pursue my goals despite the obstacles.
Do you remember your first day in Germany? What was it like? What were your first impressions and thoughts?
I arrived in Germany on 13 May 2022. It was the day when a new chapter in my life began. My first impressions were mixed: it's one thing to come for a visit, and another to move permanently. The first thing that caught my eye was the care and support: friendly people, affordable courses, social structures. It seemed like Germany was the perfect country to live in. But I soon realised that behind this outward comfort there were numerous difficulties that required patience and adaptation.
What kind of difficulties were they? Please tell us more about the most serious ones.
The most difficult thing for me was the language barrier. Of course, many people here understand English, but it is German that is needed to integrate and build a career.
Another difficulty was the prejudice against the work of the self-employed. And, of course, the bureaucracy: it was very difficult to deal with the documents and requirements, as clear instructions were often not given.
When I told people that I was planning to open a dance studio, many people convinced me that it was impossible. It was quite difficult to resist this, especially considering that I was a newcomer to this environment myself. But at the same time, it motivated me and sounded like a challenge.
Now for the most interesting part. HOW TO DO IT: What steps would you highlight for those who want to start their own business in Germany?
If we get down to specifics, I would highlight the following steps:
- Exploring opportunities
I started by immersing myself in the creative life of Stuttgart. At first, I worked on a voluntary basis to understand the opportunities for free artists and creative initiatives.
- Search for premises
After getting a general idea of how the industry works, I started looking for a building that would meet the specific requirements for a dance studio.
- Creating an online presence
At the same time, I launched pages on social media and thought through the structure of the information presentation: from the commercial to the course descriptions. The goal was to make sure that potential students immediately understood what I was offering, who the classes were for, where they were held, and what they cost.
- Registration of self-employment
The next step was to register as self-employed with the tax office (Finanzamt). I declared my activities as a teacher and dance instructor. In fact, it was much easier than it might seem. I simply booked an appointment through the tax office's website. During the conversation, I told them about my goal and how I planned to organise everything: that I was a dance teacher, I wanted to find premises, open my own studio and conduct dance courses.
Since my plan of action was classified as a Freiberufler, I didn't need to bring any additional documents, translated diplomas or anything like that.
I wanted to start working the same day. Fortunately, I was granted this request. I was asked to write down my idea and plan for setting up a dance studio. My written request was registered and I was advised to apply for a tax number via the Elster website.
5. Receiving tax number
To do this, I registered on the Elster portal, where I filled in all the necessary documents. I strongly recommend doing this with the help of a tax advisor (Steuerberater) to avoid mistakes. That's exactly what I did. The services of a consultant are quite affordable, and they save a lot of time and nerves.
- Launching courses
After completing all the formalities and signing an agreement with the landlord, I launched my first course. It was a completely independent project without the support of the city, implemented with borrowed funds. At the beginning, I only had an idea, training, faith in success, and a desire to create a studio as a home for creative people.
- Scaling and plans
Today, I am actively developing the studio and striving to implement the project «House of Creativity» - a unique space for children, youth and adults.
My goal is to create a place that is accessible 24/7, which combines different types of art, inspires joint projects and becomes a point of growth for everyone who wants to fulfil themselves. It is not just a studio, but an ecosystem where creativity becomes part of everyday life and helps everyone find their happiness and place in the world.
And if we turn to something more abstract and personal, what factors, in your opinion, are crucial for success?
- Belief in yourself. Without this, none of the above steps will make sense or bring the desired result.
- Mentoring. It is worth finding people who work in your field and learning from them or asking for advice if necessary.
- Perseverance. Don't be afraid of mistakes, they only make you stronger.
What would you say to yourself on your first day in Germany?
- I would give myself these five tips:
- Start by learning the language. It will open all doors.
- Don't count on privileges. Everything here depends on your hard work.
- Don't be afraid that life will seem too subject to rules and restrictions. You will find a balance over time.
- Be ready to learn and be flexible. Germany has its own rules, and you need to be ready to adapt
- Be patient and hardworking. Rejection is just an incentive to move on.
This story is one of many. And it shows that everything is in our hands. That the path will be overcome by the one who walks. And no matter what, you still have the most important thing - you.
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