TalkBaja.com » Baja Mexico Forums » Working in Baja California / Mexico

From International Living...

Four Tips for Starting a Business in Mexico


By Glynna Prentice | International Living
Posted on January 11, 2011


More and more people who want to move to Mexico say that they can’t afford to stop working. Rather than give up their dream, how about this option: Start a business in Mexico. Mexico welcomes entrepreneurs who can create jobs and fill market niches.

Many expats who move to Mexico start businesses there. Some work at something similar to what they were doing before. Others use the move abroad to turn a long-time hobby or interest into a money-making activity.

Here are some business ideas that have been popular among expats…

Start a B&B in Mexico

When you look for that new home in Mexico, think big…for instance, a home big enough to house a few extra guests. The kind that pay. Move to a destination that tourists want to visit, of course—but in Mexico your options range from modern beach towns to centuries-old colonial cities.

Expats successfully run Bed & Breakfasts and boutique hotels all over Mexico. Expat havens like San Miguel de Allende, Lake Chapala, Puerto Vallarta and Mérida are especially rich in expat-run hotels.

If you target international tourists for your business, you can turn your English-language skills into a plus. But every word of Spanish you learn will help with your day-to-day management: paying bills, managing staff, and dealing with vendors and workmen.

Fill a local market niche

The next time you visit a Mexican city and think, “This place is beautiful, but it could sure use X,” write down that thought. You’ll need to follow it up with solid research, but you may have just identified a local market need.

We’ve seen expats open pizzerias in popular beach towns; start a mail-delivery and messenger service; open website-design centers; offer cooking classes to teach Mexican cooking to tourists (with classes in English, of course); launch sports businesses like sports-fishing tours and scuba shacks; and start language schools.

Open businesses in Mexico to serve other expats

Your fellow expats can be an ideal target market. Offer services that make their lives easier or help them adapt to Mexican life. We’ve seen expats start relocation companies, for instance.

These businesses focus on helping new expats navigate the red tape of moving to and living in Mexico, including visas, house purchase, taxes and more. Others have opened real estate agencies that target expat buyers, or property management firms that rent out and manage properties for absentee owners.

Work as a freelance consultant

If you don’t have deep pockets for setting up a business, a one-man or -woman consulting practice can be an inexpensive way to start. Have prior experience as a freelance photographer or writer? These are both businesses you can easily continue in Mexico, where high-speed Internet connections are available almost everywhere.

Import-export businesses, clothing lines, handicraft shops…expats have done all these things.

In considering your options, keep in mind the following:

* Mexico is happy for you to launch a new business—especially if you create new jobs by hiring locals to help you. But if your goal is to work as an employee for a Mexican company, that’s much harder. Many jobs are limited to nationals; even when they’re not, a company can’t hire you unless it proves that there is no local who can do the job.
* To get a business visa for Mexico, you may have to show credentials, such as diplomas or certificates, which show you have the skills for your business. Talk with your local Mexican immigration department on what credentials it requires.
* Most importantly, you’ll need to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself and your business until it starts turning a profit. Again, immigration officials can tell you what documentation they need.

Overall, though, Mexico is one of the easiest countries in which to set up a business. Thousands of expats have successfully done it. Why not you?

.

Hi.
I was wondering if someone could give me an idea or a list of the smaller businesses in the areas of TJ, Playa de Rosarito and Ensenada. The husband and I are wanting to open a small business in the near future, but am not sure what is there or what is needed as we have alot of interests and hobbies. Mind you, this list need not be given a lot of thought or time on it, just a general idea. I personally love to bake and may want to venture in that direction. ¡Muchissimo Gracias y tienen un gran día!

My wife is Mexican so I don't have that problem and it is her business anyway, We are renting 1 house with a small casita in front next to the road in Punta Banda. My wife has been in the sewing business since she was 14 and is an expert. You bring a picture of a shirt and she will make it for you. Custom clothes and repairs, very good and good prices, you wont be sorry. Also she makes giant Gringo fresh made hamburgers and fries, as I see it if you get hungry we will be alot closer than Sharkeys or some place else. 1 Aug see everyone then

I have not met many foreigners who have had success with business in Baja due partly to the red tape and the fact that other than the babyboomers aged 65 plus most Americans here aren't in the same income category as above which means they don't have $$$ to spend. That is evidenced by the vacant highrises that do the coast from Tijuana to Ensenada. That article makes it seem easy to start a business when in fact it is anything but easy unless you do online and even that is saturated unless you find a very very very specific niche.

My wife's business is her life, it doesn't make a lot of money, she thinks that her people are poor and deserve her service at a reasonable price. All her profits go into her bank not mine, I don't need it but when I am gone she will need this to provide for herself, she is good and enjoys the company and business. You will love her work and you will love her, come take advantage and enjoy