From Montreal to Frankfurt (and an E-Residency Hack) with Afshan Shamani

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02/26/25 • 45 min

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Afshan Samani's journey from Iran to becoming the CEO and co-founder of PinoSell is a masterclass in resilience and innovation. After navigating cultural challenges and personal setbacks, including a broken engagement during her PhD in Canada, Afshan pivoted from academia to a dynamic career in tech and startups. Her relentless pursuit of new opportunities led her to Rocket Internet and eventually to the creation of PinoSell, a company inspired by the burgeoning potential of social media selling. Through her story, Afshan provides a fascinating look at how personal perseverance can drive professional success.
From identifying an unexpected e-commerce trend in the Middle East and Africa to launching a platform that transforms Instagram feeds into shoppable storefronts, Afshan's insights are invaluable for anyone interested in the future of retail and entrepreneurship. She shares her experiences working on a pilot project with L'Oreal and explores how her platform empowers micro-businesses to harness the power of social media effectively. With examples like a Munich-based cake business and a California-based letterpress hobbyist, Afshan demonstrates the platform's versatility and its potential to revolutionize how small businesses connect with their customers.
For those intrigued by the intricacies of setting up a business in Europe, Afshan's discussion of the logistical and financial hurdles in Germany, compared to the advantages of Estonia's e-residency program, offers eye-opening insights. Her experiences highlight the broader trends and challenges within the European startup ecosystem, including the increasing focus on innovation and international collaboration. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, there's much to learn from Afshan's experiences and the ever-evolving landscape of startups and investment in Europe.

[👆The above description was spit out by hosting AI — We're a two woman operation here! Human show notes on the website.]

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.

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[👆The above description was spit out by hosting AI — We're a two woman operation here! Human show notes on the website.]

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Burning thoughts on career transition, solopreneurship and life in Germany with Ricardo Brito

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“The solopreneur journey really is a mirror that reflects your deepest beliefs, fears, doubts, and limitations. It's a process of growth that forces you to confront not only the external and practical challenges but also the internal ones—those that affect how you see yourself, the world around you, and how you make decisions.”

— Roberto Brito, from his Substack Burning Thoughts post ‘Building a Business, Re-Building Yourself,

I really enjoyed this conversation with Ricardo. It was late on a Friday, and I kind of wanted to just go home, but as with every interview - I ended up energized and excited after we talked.

How Ricardo ended up in Germany

Ricardo ended up in Berlin around 2010/2011 during the economic crisis in Portugal. He had a good job in his field, but realized that there wasn't a promising future for him there, so he decided to quit design a better life for himself.

He had a contact in Berlin who offered him a place to stay for a month. He’d previously done an Erasmus program in Hanover, and was somewhat familiar with German culture. With a thousand bucks saved and no job or house, he moved to Germany.

Now Ricardo helps senior tech and creative professionals navigate their next career move, pivot into new roles, or launch their solopreneur ventures.

After 15 years in Design, Product and Innovation a burnout made him rethink about where his life was heading, and decided to face his worst fear: having his own business.

Listen in to get Ricardo's insights, perspectives and unique take on making a career shift, solopreneurship, content creation and building a personal brand.

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Launching an Alpine Yoga Business in Germany with Erin Wilson

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After a decade as a competitive gymnast in South Carolina, Erin found both excitement and uncertainty in shifting her focus. Her college years, filled with new opportunities and inspiring mentors, led her to discover a passion for yoga and fitness—not just as a student, but as a teacher. A six-month study abroad in Italy in 2014 also cemented her love for Europe.
In 2015, Erin moved to Germany after graduating from Clemson University with a degree in veterinary science (which was no longer her passion), driven by a desire to live abroad. After seven years of juggling part-time jobs with the US Army and teaching yoga locally, she took the leap into self-employment.
In April 2024, Erin founded The Third Place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, aiming to grow her yoga and fitness business by hosting European retreats, collaborating with local businesses, and offering more private and group classes. Her goal is to create a space where students can explore their potential, honor their bodies’ boundaries, and feel guided on their journey to reach their goals.
Erin’s teaching emphasizes movement, anatomy, breathwork, and introspection as essential elements of total wellness, and she’s eager to share this with people from all walks of life.

The Germany Expat Business Show - From Montreal to Frankfurt (and an E-Residency Hack) with Afshan Shamani

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:03.105

Hi , I'm Eleanor Meyerhofer , a native Californian designer and digital strategist . In October of 1999 , a few years after graduating from design school , I flew from San Francisco to Munich with a fistful of Deutschmarks , a dial-up connection and an extremely vague plan . Twenty-plus years later , after a 10-year stint at a global agency freelancing and launching two online businesses