Agree! That applies no matter where you operate though. With unemployment what is is, is finding good people that difficult? If so why?

If that seems like an obvious question, please forgive, I'm on the outside looking in.



Yeah about that...I'd like to work a little less and enjoy life a little more. I used to change the oil in my car for years. I finally figured out that for a couple bucks more there was a whole industry willing to do it for me. This is kinda like that.

Again, I just trying to figure out what those barriers to sucess are. As a Risk Managment friend always says, it's not about risk elimination, it's about risk managment.

Pick your poison: no work ethic, poor education/abilities, "anti-slave" mentality, "island time", alcoholism/drugs, and the list goes on. There are a few good people out there but they're all employed.


When I write it's a lifestyle, I mean it is just that 8 days a week. So find a business you love. There are business owners clamoring for someone trustworthy they can leave manage their business for a week or two just to get a break. Now there's a job for you.


Come visit. It won't take you long to figure it out.

Wow, that's quite an indictment.



Just left actually, but that's a visitor/tourist. Which doesn't really lend itself into the insight of the locals, or people that actually live there. The underbelly if you will. Hence my questions.

Glenn,
Glad to hear I am not the only person that will attempt such a venture. I am retiring from my current job in 5 years and will move to Belize. Like yourself I plan on keeping busy by investing in a business. I did look at a few that were for sale and even contacted Hugo Miguel, Vista Realty to further my interest nationwide.
I did accept from the beginning that as long as I broke even while "Observing" from the states I would be satisfied. Lots of great advice from the folks on this website.
I came to these conclusions, I am not buying a business there until I retire. I will start my own business when I get there, this will maximize my water time.
I have id'd several potential business ventures for the area, My advice is for you to research the area and determine a niche that needs filling and go for it.

What brought you to that conclusion?

As stated above the reliability of the person I leave there to run the business. I am not a micro manager but I do want visibility of the on goings, not sure if I would have the trust.
Secondly; it allows me to visit repeatedly and determine the business I think will make a good fit for Belize and myself. I have some ideas, but I need to build the pesonal relationships with ex-pats that live full time in Belize. I have no doubt what I want to do will succeed but as we both know location location location.
If I am lucky and find that ex-pat or local that would be a good partner then I will make a move, but again I need to make sure I have done my homework.

OOPs as far as maximizing the water time: The business I will choose to opporate is not to fund my living in Belize, I have enough for that. It is to keep me occupied and to help the local economy.
When I retire it is to enjoy the fruits of my labor and travel.

Thanks John, that clarifies.

Many people get off of the airplane and develop Caribbean Fever. They then buy a business that they could have started on their own for 1/3rd as much.
Make afew more trips down and speak with as many ex-pat business people that are willing to lend advice as you can.

And then there was this guy who took a chance and pursued a wild dream like bringing a bunch of people to Belize to jump out of airplanes. And lots of people told him he was nuts ......
:-)