First step: Why start your own business?
Starting a business requires a great deal of commitment, perseverance, and time investment, especially in the early stages. Long working hours and intense planning phases are common. However, with a clear strategy and consistent execution, these efforts can pay off in the long run.
Despite the motivating aspects of independence, starting your own business can be difficult from a financial perspective. In most cases, during the first year, start-up companies will be in debt. And the second year is spent trying to compensate for this deficit. If all goes well, companies will generally only make a profit in the third year.
To substantially increase your chances of success, the two questions you must first ask are:
- How much money do you need during the start-up phase for yourself and your family?
- Can you retain that money, despite high initial investments?
Anyone who is not intimidated by these risks has an essential prerequisite: self-confidence.
How do you find the capital to start your SME?
Independence comes at a cost
Anyone who wishes to move towards independence must be conscious of the amount of work that will be expected. Long days and short nights are a common feature of the life of young entrepreneurs. However, despite the sacrifices they make in giving up some of their free time, entrepreneurs also experience high levels of satisfaction. Several studies have shown that they are often happier than salaried employees.
It is also important to know that independence is a risky business. Many people who set up their own business go bankrupt in the first few years (Figures on SMEs: survival rates and business closures). According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO), 10,7% of self-employed workers were affected by poverty in 2022, compared with only 2,9% of employees. Self-employed single proprietors with no other employees are particularly affected by this trend (13,4%).*
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the Swiss economy. Over 99% of local companies employ fewer than 250 people full time, which is an encouraging sign for founders of small companies in Switzerland.
*Source: FSO, Poverty of Employed Persons, 2024
Learn more
Self-Employment: Guidelines
From recognition of self-employed status with the compensation office through to registration with the trade register, including checking liability to VAT: here is a checklist of formalities to be completed in order to become your own boss.
Pseudo-independence: what you need to know
The use of freelancers or external service providers is currently trending. However, companies must be careful not to take advantage of situations of "pseudo-independence," or they risk incurring various financial and legal consequences.
A well-planned start-up: Preparing to join the world of entrepreneurs
Future entrepreneurs must meet significant requirements to make the change from salaried work to self-employment.
EasyGov: The online counter for businesses
EasyGov makes the administrative tasks simple, fast and efficient. This secure and reliable platform allows companies to electronically process authorization, application and reporting procedures in a single location. EasyGov relieves and saves costs - for both companies and the authorities.
Key decisions: The essential questions for a future entrepreneur
Anyone planning to start a business must consider its legal personality, operational planning and legal structure.
The business idea: The basis of any company
To set up your business, you don’t necessarily have to wait until you have a completely new idea. Most entrepreneurs start with products or services they are familiar with.