“Vicoland enables you to take on projects that you would not normally have the staff for.”
Web developer Alexander Schell discusses the possibility of scaling up your business with Vicoland.
Alexander, you have been self-employed for 15 years. What do you like about it? What motivated you to choose self-employment over a more secure job?
I was unexpectedly laid off back then. This made me realise that I didn’t want to depend on someone else for something as important as a stable income and the influence it has on my life. I want to live life on my own terms.
What is the focus of your service offering? What expertise do you offer through your Vico?
One of the great things about the platform is that you can join several Vicos. The main focus is on web development. We build web applications using programming languages such as PHP, Node.js, Angular, Vue.js and React. On the other hand, we develop store and CMS systems such as Shopify, Shopware, Drupal and WordPress.
While you may not be able to mention client names, what extent are you currently involved in Vicoland projects? What are they about?
We are currently involved in several projects. The first is primarily focused on providing support, further development, and ensuring the ongoing operation of a project within a complex software landscape. The second project involves pure Drupal development.
Vicoland provides you with project opportunities and enables you to manage them through the platform. What does the platform offer your Vicos?
It allows us to present a team as a Vico. It doesn't matter if they are our own employees, employees from other companies or self-employed individuals. Everything from creating offers and drafting contracts to invoicing and money transfers is handled through the platform. This may seem unusual at first, but you will find it very convenient and time-saving.
What is the biggest advantage of working with Vicoland?
As a manager, you can take on projects for which you wouldn’t normally have the personnel. I can only execute projects if I have the right personnel with the appropriate expertise and skills available. This is often not the case. With Vicoland, however, I can bring together my own team and external individuals to efficiently meet all project requirements.
What prospects do you see in cooperating with Vicoland?
Vicoland provides an opportunity to implement large-scale projects, bringing together the necessary experts on the platform. This creates many opportunities for agencies with project experience and experienced freelancers alike. Currently, both the candidates and the projects are of a very high professional standard. If Vicoland manages to maintain this level, the platform will remain an important strategic partner for us.
What advice would you give to professionals who want to become self-employed? What were your most important lessons?
Starting a business in Germany is labour-intensive and time-consuming. You have to master many tasks outside your area of expertise, particularly legal and tax issues, which can be critical in Germany and cause many start-ups to fail. Therefore, it is advisable to hire a competent tax advisor and lawyer right from the outset.