Starting a business in Germany

I have lived in Germany for almost 5 years and I really love it, but sometimes it's so hard for me to understand the reasoning behind the laws here.  For example, I've been teaching English since I got here and I really love teaching.  The schools here don't pay anything and I think I can do a better job on my own without having to abide by their rules.  My boyfriend asked me why I didn't teach privately and the idea to start my own school was born. 

It's pretty easy to get started teaching but it's not easy to abide by all of the laws here.  If you are a foreigner from a non-EU country you have a few hurtles to jump through first.  Please keep in mind that I am one person and not a major multinational organization.  First you have to apply for a visa then after getting your visa you have to get permission to open a business and you can only do this if it's economically beneficial to the area where you want to open it.  Okay, so far, so good.

Then, let's say, you want to advertise online.  That's a great idea, right?  In theory, yes.  The thing you have to be aware of is that there are lawyers in Germany that earn their money by surfing the net and finding websites that advertise to German customers.  They are looking to see if you have everything the German law requires.  If you don't have every I dotted and every t crossed, they will file suit against you and the fines are not small ones.  I think this is absolutely absurd. 

There isn't really any one place that will tell you everything you need to know to get started here.  There is, however, a place to start.

http://www.existenzgruender.de/englisch/self_employment/start/law/index.php

Take a look at this link, hopefully it will provide a few answers to the slew of questions you will have about doing business in Germany.  If that one doesn't help, here's another one that gives a lot of needed information. http://www.expatica.com/de/essentials_moving_to/essentials/setting-up-your-own-business-in-germany-27408.html 

Good luck.