The Germany Expat Business Show

Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text?

From opera singer to bureaucracy expert, Kathleen Parker shares her unconventional story of building Red Tape Translation—a business she started by showing up at Berlin's immigration office at 7 AM and asking strangers if they needed help. 

In this episode, she breaks down the real costs of freelancing in Germany (hint: multiply your employee salary by 2.5-3x), explains why the Künstlersozialkasse is a game-changer for creative professionals, and reveals what actually goes into getting a freelance visa. 

If you've ever wondered whether your international client base will help you get residency, or why that €20/hour freelance rate won't cut it long-term, this conversation delivers honest answers.

Kathleen gets refreshingly candid about the messy reality of growing a business in Germany—from the steep learning curve of German employment law to surviving her first tax office encounter (complete with yelling and threats), to why she wouldn't change her slow-growth approach despite never getting rich. 

Whether you're considering the move to Germany as a freelancer, already navigating the system, or wondering if you should convert from freelancer to UG, this episode is packed with practical wisdom from someone who's spent 15 years helping immigrants crack the code of German bureaucracy while building her own business alongside motherhood and an opera career.

You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/

Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.

Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text?

Polish-born Paulina moved to Munich for love nearly eight years ago and ended up finding herself. After being laid off from her corporate data analyst role during the pandemic, she transformed into a somatic wellness coach who built a thriving membership business and retreat community through authentic connection rather than aggressive marketing. Paulina discusses transitioning from yoga teaching to emotional healing work, the challenges of finding affordable event spaces in Munich, and why community building beats competition every time.

Connect with Paulina:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/with.paulina/
Website: https://www.withpaulina.com/

You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/

Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.

Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text?

When Katie Rustler moved to Munich in 2016, her therapy credentials weren't recognized - a crushing blow for any licensed professional. But instead of starting over in the German system, she got creative. 

Today, she runs a thriving online practice serving high-achieving international couples from Japan to Dubai, has written two books, appeared on 80+ podcasts, and built communities that have helped hundreds of expat women rebuild their professional confidence.

In this episode, Katie shares her blueprint for turning professional obstacles into opportunities, the Facebook group strategy that built her client base before she officially launched, and why she wishes she'd ignored her German husband's Excel spreadsheet approach to starting her podcast. 

Plus: the cultural clash every American entrepreneur in Germany will recognize, and Katie's upcoming venture supporting women navigating perimenopause while living abroad.

You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/

Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.

Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text?

From corporate burnout to 11,000+ newsletter subscribers – Igor Ranc built his Handpicked Berlin newsletter starting with just 20 friends. 

In this episode, he reveals why he ditched Substack for better business tools, how he's monetizing without paywalls in the German market, and why human curation beats AI every time. 

Plus: navigating German bureaucracy as a newsletter entrepreneur, the distribution problem that kills most startups, and why authenticity trumps copying other creators' formulas. 

Essential listening for anyone building a creator business in Germany.

You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/

Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.

Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text?

From student exchange to successful event business serving clients prominent Berlin clients like Lingoda, Moss, Hello Fresh and more. Rachel Wright's Berlin entrepreneurship story is one of persistence, smart pivots, and systematic growth.

Originally planning just one semester in Germany, Rachel has spent 15+ years building a thriving event design company serving international tech scale-ups. She shares the real story behind navigating German visa bureaucracy, using design thinking to find product-market fit, and why she dissolved her agency to rebuild as a solo consultant.

Packed with practical insights on B2B networking, strategic content marketing, and the mindset shifts that turn obstacles into opportunities. Plus: why Rachel treats apartment hunting like a numbers game and her best advice for expat entrepreneurs ready to bet on themselves in Germany.

Topics covered: Immigration & visas • Design thinking methodology • B2B client acquisition • Business model pivots • Berlin startup ecosystem • Expat entrepreneurship

Perfect for entrepreneurs, expats/Ausländers/immigrants and anyone curious about building a business in Germany's international market.

You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/

Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.

Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text?

What happens when you delete 3,500 LinkedIn connections and start over?

Sanjeev Thapa, a three-time founder from Nepal, reveals the unexpected strategy that transformed his consulting business in Germany. From burning through €700,000 in 15 months by over-engineering a startup to discovering why German language skills matter more than a stellar resume, his journey is packed with hard-won lessons about building companies in one of Europe's most regulated markets.

In this very candid conversation, Sanjeev shares how he went from student visa struggles to German citizenship in record time (hint: organization is everything), why he chose Munich's mountains over Berlin's startup scene, and the daily networking system that finally cracked the code to landing international clients. 

Whether you're navigating German bureaucracy, building your first startup, or wondering if you should wipe your own LinkedIn network clean, this episode delivers the unfiltered truth about succeeding as an expat entrepreneur in Germany.

You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/

Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.

Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text?

Jordan Beck Wagner - American expat entrepreneur who built a successful digital marketing agency in Germany after transitioning from politics to marketing through travel blogging.

Episode Highlights:

The Unexpected Path to Germany

• Started with a rebellious high school decision: choosing German over Spanish
• Led to Germanic languages degree, study abroad, and eventually 12+ years in Germany
• Classic expat story: "18 months" turned into a permanent move
• Met future husband at a ball in Heidelberg

From Travel Blog to Digital Marketing Career

• Started "Wayfaring with Wagner" blog in 2013 (originally "Beer Time with Wagner")
• Used blogging experience to land job at Hamburg digital marketing agency
• Worked on major campaigns including Ritter Sport's US/Canada marketing
• Leveraged unique position as native English speaker in German market

COVID Pivot and Community Building

• Shifted travel blog focus to northern Germany content with "Hamburg and Beyond"
• Discovered SEO goldmine in niche German locations
• Created Facebook women's group in Kiel that grew to 1,000+ members
• Organic community spin-offs: yoga classes, book clubs, art groups

Launching Jordan Beck Media (2022)

• Went solo after getting Niederlassungserlaubnis
• Celebrates 3-year business anniversary next week
• Specializes in B2B social media strategy (LinkedIn, Facebook)
• "Work smarter, not harder" content philosophy

Business Reality Check

• Interesting insight: sustainability content consistently underperforms across all clients
• Client acquisition: 100% word-of-mouth and networking
• operates as selbstständig in Germany (above Kleinunternehmer threshold)
• Uses Accountable for bookkeeping, MyExpat Taxes for US compliance

Future Plans

• Exploring Substack for premium content monetization
• Combining expat expertise with northern Germany travel content
• Planning point-hacking guides and destination content behind paywall
• Timing coincides with Booking.com affiliate program cancellation

Key Business Takeaways

1. Networking beats everything - Start before you quit your job
2. Niche content can outperform big players in SEO
3. Solve your own problems - personal needs can become business opportunities
4. Repurpose successful content - don't reinvent the wheel
5. Join Künstlersozialkasse if you qualify for significant savings
6. Research tax software thoroughly before committing

Guest Contact Information

• LinkedIn: Jordan Beck Wagner
• Instagram: @jordanbwagner
• Company: Jordan Beck Media

You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/

Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.

Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text?

In this episode of the Germany Expat Business Show, I caught up with a  friend, and sort-of-former-colleague, Gray Dawdy. I met Gray while I was contracting at a service design agency, where he often enjoyed a friendly chat while making a coffee in the agency Teeküche and bonded over our mutual Californian backgrounds.

Gray is an industrial designer and expat solopreneur who’s built a successful freelance career in Munich, Germany. He talked about his journey from California to Germany, his experiences in the industrial design field, and the ectasy and the agony of freelancing here in Deutschland.

This conversation will be very instructive for anyone considering a move to Germany, thinking about leaving a full time job or looking to start a business in Germany.

You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/

Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.

Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text?

In this episode I talk to Tarek  Abousamra, an inspiring entrepreneur who journeyed from Syria to Germany. Tarek's story is one of resilience and determination, culminating in the founding of Co-Tasker, a platform that connects people with service providers for various tasks.

Tarek fled Syria due to the war, eventually making a home in Germany. Despite starting from scratch, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Co-tasker, a platform designed to make finding help for tasks easy and safe. His story highlights the power of resilience and community support.

Episode Highlights

• 🌍 Resilient Journey: Tarek's path from Syria to Germany, overcoming challenges to start from scratch.
• 🏢 Co-tasker's origin story: The creation of a platform connecting users with service providers for diverse tasks.
• 🤝 Co-Founder Dynamics: The importance of complementary skills and mental support in a business partnership.
• 📈 Funding Strategies: Insights into securing funding and the role of accelerator programs.
• 🗣️ Language and AI: How AI tools have transformed communication across language barriers.

More about Co-Tasker here: http://bit.ly/Co-Tasker_

You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/

Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.

Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text?

Gelyn, a mom who moved to Germany at the height of the pandemic in 2020, found herself jobless and very pregnant. Inspired by her daughter (and probably a few hormones), she wrote her first children’s book, "Most of All, You Are Loved," a response to the pandemic, divisiveness, demonstrations, the Ukraine war, rising stories of bullying and increase in suicide rates amongst teens. She started asking herself "What can I do to protect my child?" 

So, she created her company called Polkaducks and started creating stories and products that promote kindness, hoping they might make a difference. In less than two years, Gelyn diversified her efforts by creating a supportive mama network, expanding her business to custom book printing and stuffed toy services, and fostering a community where moms can find encouragement and inspiration.

Originally from Manila, Philippines, Gelyn isn't a stranger to stepping out of her comfort zone. After nearly a decade in finance, she randomly chose Shanghai from a map, enrolled in language school, and never looked back. She's lived in China and Mexico and now calls Munich home, where she lives with her husband and daughter. 

This year, Gelyn embarks on her latest ambitious project, Mama macht Markt, an event celebrating women by inviting them to showcase their creations.

You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/

Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.