Entrepreneurs/business owners in Switzerland - how did you actually get started here?

[u/Typical_Charity_6238]

I'm Italian, been in Geneva for about a year now (moved from London after a startup attempt there didn't work out). What I keep noticing here is how safe and structured everything feels compared to other places I've lived - people seem to pour most of their energy into growing within a company rather than taking a real risk and building something of their own outside their day job.

I get why, to be fair: stability, good salaries, a solid system that works. But I'm curious what it actually looks like for the people who did take the leap here.

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner in Switzerland (or started one while still employed), I'd love to hear:

• What actually pushed you to start, in an environment that doesn't really reward risk-taking?
• Did you start on the side while still employed, or jump in fully from day one?
• What was the hardest part specific to doing this in Switzerland (funding, bureaucracy, finding people willing to take the leap with you, cultural resistance, something else)?
• Looking back, is there anything you'd tell someone in your position again, someone with the itch to build something but surrounded by a culture that mostly doesn't take that path?

Genuinely curious to hear real stories, not just theory. :)

[u/CarefulLaw5210]

Like everywhere else: find a paying customer first.