Self-employment: Challenges and opportunities for founders in Switzerland
Many dream of being their own boss – the freedom to implement their own ideas, set their own working hours, and build something of their own. But behind this dream lie numerous hurdles and challenges. In Helda Unplugged episode 1, "Self-employment – Challenges and Opportunities for Founders in Switzerland," we examine precisely these aspects – with interviews, personal accounts, and practical tips.
In this blog post, I summarize the most important content of the episode and show you what you should pay attention to as a founder in Switzerland – plus a few ideas on how you can best use opportunities.
🎥 Episode Overview
This episode covers, among other things:
- The most common challenges faced by founders in Switzerland
- The opportunities that arise despite (or precisely because of) these challenges
- Concrete examples and experiences of founders
- Practical tips and strategies for overcoming obstacles
If you want to watch the whole episode:
Self-employment: Challenges and opportunities for founders in Switzerland
🧱 The major challenges for founders in Switzerland
1. Bureaucracy, laws, regulation
One of the first stumbling blocks: the administrative requirements. Business registration, tax obligations, social security, permits – all of this can be very complex, especially if you have no prior experience. Many founders underestimate the time and complexity of these processes.
2. Financing & Cash Flow
Raising capital is one of the biggest hurdles. Banks are often hesitant – collateral is lacking – grants come with conditions, and investors scrutinize applications carefully. At the same time, ongoing cash flow must be secured: paying bills, generating revenue, and building reserves.
3. Market entry & customer acquisition
Having a product or service doesn't automatically mean customers will come. Positioning oneself in an often saturated market and winning customers – especially in Switzerland with its linguistic, cultural, and regional differences – is difficult.
4. Competition & Differentiation
Especially in established industries, there are many competitors. Standing out, occupying a clear niche, or finding a unique selling proposition (USP) is crucial. Many founders struggle with why someone should choose their product or service.
5. Time and resource management / Work-life balance
Numerous tasks at once: product development, marketing, finance, customer service… the workload is often high, especially in the start-up phase. The risk of burnout, overwork, and the feeling of not having enough time are real risks.
🌱 The opportunities – and how you can use them
1. Innovation potential & flexibility
Precisely because you don't yet have large structures, you are agile. You can react faster, adapt, and try new approaches. Innovation, new business models, and digital solutions offer opportunities that established companies often struggle to realize.
2. Networks & Community
Switzerland boasts numerous startup ecosystems, co-working spaces, startup networks, accelerator programs, and funding initiatives. Connecting with like-minded individuals, mentors , or experienced founders can open doors, share knowledge, and create synergies.
3. Grants & Subsidies
The Swiss state, cantonal and private institutions offer funding programs, grants, advice or subsidized loans specifically for start-ups and founders.
4. Digital Tools & Scalability
Thanks to digital technologies, you can plan for scalability right from the start. Online presence, automation (marketing, accounting, etc.), platform solutions, and e-business enable reach and efficiency – even beyond the borders of Switzerland.
5. Increase in “purpose orientation” and sustainability
More and more customers value principles, sustainability, regionality, and ethical practices. Building your business with purpose, transparency, and responsibility gives you an additional differentiating factor that can be very effective.
Practical tips & strategies (from the episode & my additions)
|
Theme |
Tip / Strategy |
|
Law & Administration |
Get expert advice early on (taxes, legal structure, insurance). Use tools and templates to standardize processes. |
|
Finances |
Open a separate business account from the start, monitor liquidity weekly, and plan pessimistically. Also, look for alternative sources of financing (crowdfunding, business angels, public funds). |
|
positioning |
Define your target groups very clearly. Identify your added value. Create personas and find the appropriate way to address them. |
|
Marketing & Visibility |
Start with low-budget measures such as content marketing, social media, and partnerships. Test different channels, measure what works, and focus on that. |
|
Using networks |
Be active in founders' groups, networks, and events. Utilize feedback, collaborations, and mentoring. Online communities can also be helpful. |
|
Scaling & Automation |
Automate repetitive tasks (accounting, email automation, onboarding). Use tools that can grow with your business. Plan processes so they can be scaled later. |
|
Self-care & balance |
Set clear priorities. Schedule downtime and short breaks. Learn to delegate; outsource parts of the work where possible. Take care of your energy and your health. |
Focus on Switzerland: What you should pay particular attention to
- Multilingualism and regionality : In Switzerland, German, French, Italian, and English are often relevant. In Graubünden or the city of Zurich, Romansh is also used ;-) Your communication and offers should be adapted linguistically and culturally.
- Differences between cantons : Taxes, permits, and regulations vary greatly between cantons – find out the specific regulations for your location.
- Cost structure & wages : Wages, rents, and insurance premiums in Switzerland are high compared to many other countries. This must be taken into account in your calculations.
- Reputation & Trust : Especially in a country with high standards for quality and reliability, your brand image, your service, and your trustworthiness are crucial.
Conclusion
Self-employment in Switzerland is not an easy path – but a very rewarding one. The challenges are concrete and real (bureaucracy, financing, customer acquisition, etc.), but those who start strategically and deliberately can seize many opportunities (innovation, networks, tools, purpose).
The Helda Unplugged episode "Self-Employment – Challenges and Opportunities for Founders in Switzerland" provides valuable insights, concrete experiences, and practical recommendations. If you're exploring this topic – whether you're just starting out or already well underway – this episode is a great resource.
If you are currently in a similar situation or have already had similar experiences, I would appreciate a comment from you!
If you want to see where your company stands in terms of sales and marketing, I recommend taking advantage of our free initial consultation . Here you'll receive a personal assessment of your situation, including a report with concrete measures that you can implement immediately.