The Expat Files - Small Business Advice - 10/21/12

-MY JANUARY 2013 LATIN AMERICAN SEMINAR IS NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION: Folks who are interested in my Expat Wisdom “immersion” seminar should go to www.ExpatWisdom.com to get complete details. Its very close to sold out, but there are a few spots left.

-Thinking about starting a small business in Latin America? One big mistake expat wanabees often make is they use hard and fast first world business assumptions and projections that don’t necessarily apply to doing business in Latin America. Once you get started down here there’s really no need to stress out on first world numbers or profits- and here are some examples why…

-A word to wannabees about another very profitable business idea that might be of interest to those looking for a neat-green, high profit/growth concept.

-Many an expat couple’s dream is to take early retirement and move down to a Latin paradise and start a nice low-stress business- to keep them occupied in their golden years. Unfortunately most couples try to fulfill this dream in gringo tourist areas like Costa Rica and Panama. They find that with all the gringo competition around, often their businesses do little more than break even. But even so, many of the owners keep plugging away it... indefinitely. But strangely enough, many of these expats don’t care if the numbers don’t work because (#1) they’ve made it to their paradise (#2) they’ve got a nest egg already, (#3) they collect a monthly social security or pension check, and (#3)the business gives them something to do!

-Some talk about certain first world franchises and expat small businesses that can target the Latin masses

-Lately, I’ve been getting emails from single ladies who are on the fence about coming down to my next Latin American Seminar. They wonder if it’s safe for a single woman to join the next adventure. So to answer that, here is a letter from one of our last seminar attendees- a single female- with her astute observations on the experience.

-I’ve put together a mixed media program specifically for expats and wannabees called the 'New 5 Flags'. Just head over immediately to ExpatWisdom.com and get all the details. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

-Follow the link on the main page at www.expatwisdom.com to schedule a consultation with me. If you want to discuss the details of living, working, playing, doing business and/or retiring in Latin America, now you and I can talk about your situation one on one.