No matter where you plant roots in this great, wide world, you’ll find expats with a desire to try their

hand at artistic expression. Perhaps you are one yourself. What you might not find in your new overseas home are businesses that showcase art…or studios that have art classes and retreats.

Herein lies an opportunity, especially in towns where tourists frequent and expats live, but which lack museums, galleries, and other opportunities for appreciating art.

When artist Lee Vanderwalker moved to Belize there were only a few retailers selling art in the entire country. “I saw a wide open market. Since opening I’ve had four different locations on Caye Caulker,” she says, referring to a small island off the country’s coast popular with visitors.

Amy Bushnell opened a studio in the colonial city of Granada, Nicaragua and now teaches art five days a week. She worked in real estate back in the U.S. but had always been drawn to art and painting.

“I knew there wasn’t anything like this in town, and it was something I thought I could do,” she says. “Before I opened the studio—which first was in my house—I practiced on my husband and a friend to see if I could teach. After a month or two, they said I was ready.”

By the Staff of Incomes Abroad

IncomesAbroad

INTERNATIONALLIVING’SFebruary 2016

Volume 3, No. 12

FUND YOUR LIFE OVERSEAS

www.InternationalLiving.com

Lease Your Own B&B in Rome See Opportunity Digest on page 17.

Also in This Issue…

Continued on page 4

BRICKS-AND-MORTAR

COVER STORY

Continued on page 2 Continued on page 6

Sound Business Advice From a Sixth-GraderBy Barbara Winter

Pursuing Art for Profit Overseas

Riviera Maya Serves up a Satisfying Semi-RetirementBy Don Murray

My granddaughter, Zoe, who is in the sixth grade, recently instigated a change that is going to have an incredibly positive impact on her life.

Her younger brother has been attending a charter school, but Zoe remained at the traditional elementary school that she’s attended since second grade. I’ve watched her grow into a compliant but never enthusiastic student.

Shortly before Halloween, she spent a day at her brother’s school. It was such a departure from her educational experience that she wanted in. The following Monday she switched schools.

Page 3 Discover an abundance of photo possibilities in Medellín, Colombia

Page 10 Leave your boss and become a roving consultant

Page 11 “How we took a year off to live in France”

Page 12 Bringing Western-style cafés to coffee-loving Vietnam

Page 14 Taking the consignment store idea to new markets

Page 16 Keeping up with global opportunities

Lee Vanderwalker took her artistic talent to Belize to fund her

new life overseas.

Catherine and Jose Luis Pawelek weren’t really ready to retire. It was time to downshift, for sure. But as busy restaurateurs who enjoyed the business, they still

wanted to be active. On Mexico’s Riviera Maya they found both opportunity and an ideal place to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.

“We have warm weather every day, gentle surf, and white-sand beaches along with spectacular clear and warm Caribbean waters. The infrastructure is modern and efficient, and the crime rate is low,” says Catherine.

And now they don’t have to show up at their restaurant until 4:30 or 5 p.m.

With a Playa del Carmen restaurant, Catherine and Jose Luis Pawelek

enjoy a great lifestyle.

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 20162

BARBARA WINTER

Sound Business Advice From a Sixth-Grader

Continued from page 1

February 2016 Volume 3 • Number 12

InternationalLiving.com

© Copyright 2016 by International Living Publishing Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution (electronic or otherwise, including online) is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the Publisher. Incomes Abroad is published monthly. Copies of this e-newsletter are furnished directly by subscription only. Annual subscription is $59. To place an order or make an inquiry, see: www.internationalliving.com/about-il/customer-service. Send address changes to International Living’s Incomes Abroad, International Living Publishing Ltd., Elysium House, Ballytruckle, Waterford, Ireland. For editorial inquiries, see: www.internationalliving.com/about-il/write-for-il. Incomes Abroad presents information and research believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. There may be dangers associated with international travel and investment, and readers should investigate any opportunity fully before committing to it.

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IncomesAbroad

A few weeks later she was visiting me and said, “I’ve got to check my wigs.”

I asked her what she was talking about, and she said, “WIGS…Wildly Important Goals.”

Seems her new school teaches this radical notion. Wildly Important Goals. Isn’t that a great name for a project? For a lifetime project? I am also reminded that no such teaching was included in my formal education even as we were encouraged to pick an occupation.

But an occupation is only one aspect of our lives. How do we want to live? What problems do we want to solve? What creative pursuits call to us? Where do we want to spend our precious time? What does adventure mean to us? What’s our passion and what’s a passing fancy?

Those important questions need to be asked and answered throughout our lives. The answers will change, of course, but we also need tools for bringing our visions to life.

That’s where WIGS come in. Becoming a practicing goal-setter is something you can take up anytime in life. But before you zero in on what those wildly important items on your list are, there are a few basics to put into use from the very start.

It seems that every goal-setting process begins the same way: write them down. As writer Patricia O’Conner points out, “An idea in your head is merely an idle notion. But an idea written down, that’s the beginning of something.”

You can do this on your computer, as Zoe does, or get a special journal to capture your thoughts. Writing things down also helps sharpen your focus and clarity.

Goals fall into three rather different

categories: Having, Doing, and Being. In many ways, the Having goals are the easiest to identify: a faster computer, a cabin in the woods, an annual income from your own business. Tangible items are simple to name and recognize when they are accomplished.

Doing and Being goals are trickier. But a bit of thought can uncover those qualities and experiences that you consider important to a life well lived. As you set each goal, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I choosing this for myself out of fear or out of growth?

• Is this something I can begin working on immediately or save for later?

• Will working towards this goal build character? Integrity?

• Can I enjoy the steps along the way and learn to laugh when I encounter a detour?

Just look at how Joel Duncan, on page 3, became aware that he really wanted to do more creative things than selling phone plans. “I felt I left behind my artistic side when I studied business,” Joel explains. “Therefore, I was always kind of jealous of my sister who pursued her passion (for photography) as her career. When I started taking pictures, I saw it as a new way I could create art.”

He began developing this hobby, which ultimately created an income that allowed him to travel. He discovered the Colombian city of Medellín, made his home there, and now has his own photography business.

In setting any goal for yourself, be as clear as possible about the results you want. In the early stage forget about exactly how you will accomplish it, why it won’t work, and all the perceived obstacles. State as clearly and specifically as you can what

the aim is. Remember, too, that your goals are written on paper, not carved on marble tablets. It’s okay to reset, discard, or eliminate goals as it becomes appropriate.

If you are part of a family, share goals with each other and find ways to support the efforts of those closest to you. Joel got a huge boost from his sister when she gifted him one of her cameras. If you have partners and collaborators in your business, this practice is equally important.

When it comes to building a business, goal-setting is your helper all along the way. Do you want to create a business that can travel from place to place? One that has you interacting with customers and clients in person? One that involves creating beautiful products that you sell to others? One that you can run for several months of the year followed by several months of leisure? What new skills do you want to acquire?

These are not trivial questions. Done with enthusiasm, they’ll lead you to creating the roadmap for your life and your work.

Best of all, it only requires some thoughtful time and a few sheets of paper to get you started on creating a life filled with Wildly Important Goals. What are you waiting for…?

Our editor-at-large Barbara Winter is the author of Making a Living Without a Job (now in print for more than 20 years), Seminar in a Sentence, and Jumpstart Your Entrepreneurial Spirit. She shares her ideas about self-employment through seminars and retreats throughout North America and Europe. She has traveled extensively and lived in six states. She currently makes her home in Valencia, California.

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 2016 3

PORTABLE INCOMES

Discover an Abundance of Photo Possibilities in Medellín, Colombia

By Elizabeth Brown

Joel Duncan turned a photography hobby into an income and now loves living in Medellín.

“I love daily living in Medellín,” says Joel Duncan, who moved to Colombia four years ago. “I think that it is the

possibility in Medellín that I love the most. The fact that anything can happen. You can easily see that this is a great place to live and build a future.”

Joel finds the mountain town fast paced, yet relaxed, “like a small Toronto or Vancouver” with much better weather and extremely friendly people.

Back home in Canada, he worked hard at a stressful corporate job in marketing and design. As a senior manager at Rogers Wireless, Canada’s number one telecommunication company, he was one step away from being a director.

“I was in charge of a huge marketing budget but I felt that this job was really aging me, and I did not feel passionate about helping people get different phone plans,” says Joel.

Instead, he always felt he had an artistic side, and he discovered it through writing, blogging, and photography. Now, after four years in Medellín, he has a photography business that pays well and has expanded into helping hospitality companies market online.

Switching CareersJoel began the process of switching

careers while in Canada. There are hundreds of lakes there and he has a passion for fishing, so he started writing articles for fishing magazines. His sister, a professional portrait photographer, gifted him one of her cameras so that he could take better pictures for his fishing articles.

“I felt I left behind my artistic side when I studied business,” Joel explains. “Therefore, I was always kind of jealous of my sister who pursued her passion as her career. When I started taking pictures, I saw it as a new way I could create art.”

He took photos of fishing…then landscapes…then portraits. While traveling to escape the cold Canadian winters, Joel would take almost 400 pictures a day. “Looking back many of those pictures were trash, but taking so many pictures allowed me to improve my photography skills quickly,” he says.

In 2009, Joel took a travel writing class. One of the key things he learned is that photos really help sell the articles. Joel starting writing a travel blog, Adventurejo.com, hoping through sharing his experiences he may get sponsored to do more travel. In addition, Joel’s first submission to the U.K. magazine Real Travel about traveling to Costa Rica was published.

Then Joel began saving aggressively for a year-long adventure and looking forward to seeing what business ideas he could come up with while traveling.

Travel IncomesJoel started his journey in 2011 in

Mexico and went through Central America in just two months, determined to visit all of South America before the year finished. While traveling through Colombia he found a way to cut his living costs and devised a new business strategy.

Joel presented himself as a writer and blogger who offered to take pictures for a hostel’s website and write about the hostel on his own blog in exchange for board. As he gathered experience he realized he could often ask for board and food, sometimes even a bar tab.

When he got to Medellín, he immediately noticed the beautiful and friendly people…that it was fashionable and modern…had great weather and inexpensive flights to other parts of the country. What was supposed to be a birthday weekend ended up being September, October, November, and part of December. Joel went back to Canada for the holidays feeling like he had unfinished business.

Joel knew he had to develop an income strategy to live in Medellín…specifically the Poblado neighborhood, which is situated on the hills. The views are exquisite, overlooking the valley you catch spectacular sunsets and the night view is also incredible with all of the city’s twinkling lights.

He found the top two furnished apartment rental websites and reached out via email. What resulted was his first break shooting properties for property company The Apartment Medellín and helping to redesign the site.

“It was my first break being paid,” he

recalls. “I had no idea what to charge at that time, and my shoots back then took about three hours. Now they take me only 30 minutes.”

Joel continued to charge for interior photo shoots and kept renewing his tourist visa until he decided to register a company in Colombia, which allowed him to apply for a business visa and stay for longer periods.

Luxury LivingOne of the amazing things about living

in Medellín is having a lavish lifestyle. While Joel’s own apartment is not as fancy as some of the penthouses he photographs, it still boasts an incredible view and comes at a fraction of the price of one in Toronto.

Joel realized that his clients were taking his photos of restaurants, hotels, and properties and putting them on old websites. Since his background is marketing and design, he would give critiques for free. Eventually the clients began to ask for quotes.

Now he plans on staying in Medellín long term.“I did not want the monotonous life: get a good job, get a girlfriend, get a condo in downtown Toronto, I did not want the cookie-cutter life,” he says.

It’s not just the opportunities in Medellín that appeal to Joel. He also loves the lifestyle. You can catch him working on his laptop at one of the trendy cafés, Pergamino or Velvet, or photographing different festivals and events around town. You can also find him shooting hoops at the neighborhood basketball court where his team meets regularly to play pickup games.

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 20164

BRICKS-AND-MORTAR BUSINESS

Riviera Maya Serves up a Satisfying Semi-Retirement

Continued from page 1

“When we started in the business—and eventually had our three restaurants in Miami—all were open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week,” says Catherine. “We would easily put in 80 to 90 hours per week.

“Now we have brought it down to a manageable 35 to 40 hours. We have great staff that can get in early for the prep work. They can also handle closing.”

The place that made it possible is Playa del Carmen on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Located about 35 miles south of Cancún, Playa (as the locals call it) is noted for having a European vibe and sophisticated yet laid-back charm that attracts many international visitors as well as more and more expats from across the globe.

“We’ve been coming to Playa since the 90s and have watched it grow from a sleepy little village to a full-grown Caribbean gem of a town,” says Catherine. “When it was time for semi-retirement, we decided on Playa del Carmen after diligently spending three months looking at nearby Tulúm, Akumal, Puerto Morelos, and Puerto Aventuras.”

“Playa was an easy winner due to its incredible growth. Even in our semi-retirement, we thought we’d get back into the restaurant business…and strong growth in a community is good for all businesses.

“There’s tranquility when you need it, an active lifestyle when you want it, with food for every palate. At the newest Teatro—performance theater—we get world-class musicians, great shows, and even a huge jazz

fest and film festival that draw thousands to the area, along with the locals.”

Together, the couple have owned six restaurants in the Miami area and Las Vegas. They also owned and operated a country inn and restaurant in New Hampshire for more than six years. They lived in the U.S. for 39 years, and both are U.S. citizens (Catherine is originally from the Netherlands and Jose Luis from Argentina). However, it was not where they wanted to spend their semi-retirement. It was time to shift gears.

Starting OverAfter settling in Playa for only three

months, they decided to get back into the restaurant business. They opened the Salt Rock Grille & Cocktails in the heart of Playa’s famed 5th Avenue shopping promenade and are quite proud of their menu and the venue.

“We have an international fusion menu based on Floribbean cuisine. We mix in wood grilled South and North American classics, some European dishes and of course, plenty of seafood. We also offer pasta dishes as well as vegetarian, all with fresh-baked bread,” Catherine said. “Our boneless short ribs are amazing and are one of our best sellers. We also have a unique Vermont goat cheese salad and Jose always does something special with fresh fish. I love making the fresh desserts every day.”

5th Avenue, or Quinta Avenida, is a pedestrian thoroughfare and the center

of shopping, eating, and drinking. It runs about a mile and a half and is the primary center for land-based tourist activity, both day and night. It features dozens of small cafés spilling onto the sidewalk, street performers, many bars, live music, boutique hotels, bustling restaurants, tiny-nook retailers, and street vendors selling everything from Cuban cigars to handmade artisan goods. The activity level is high, and the mood is always festive.

“We found a great location right where we wanted to

be,” says Catherine. “Since the property had been a restaurant previously, the actual space had all major elements in place, including such crucial and costly items like hood and extractor, oven, stove, flat top, grill, sinks, tables, chairs, and so on.”

They say the restaurant is the perfect size at 60 seats.

“We had 90+ seats in our other places. So this is easier to keep up with and takes less staff to manage and run,” Catherine continues. “We added additional refrigeration (two commercial refrigerators and freezer), silverware, glassware, dishes, slicer, and so on…even small items like salt and pepper shakers, barware, floor mats, lighting, and signage add up to the final investment. Those items alone were over $20,000. Since we have a prime location right on Quinta Avenida, our lease is $3,700 monthly.”

The couple says their total startup costs were in the range of $50,000 to $75,000.

“We opened in April of 2014 and have been fortunate to see a steady growth in business. We are on the cusp of recovering our initial investment,” said Catherine.

This success comes in spite of a being located in a busy but competitive environment.

“Naturally, we compete in a marketplace with many other great restaurants in the area,” says Jose Luis. “Our customers are a good mix of tourists and locals and while we love them all, the locals come back to us even when the rush of the tourist season is over.

Existing BusinessThere were advantages to buying an

existing business rather than starting from scratch.

“If you were to start the permitting process for a restaurant built from scratch, it could take you five to six months and would cost substantially more in permitting fees than buying an existing restaurant with its corporate structure already in place,” says Catherine. “But with an existing restaurant, a good gestora (facilitator) can accomplish all the permitting in two months, saving significant dollars in fees and licenses. Purchasing a restaurant’s corporation (in good standing and with good financials) will

Running a bustling restaurant in a warm beach resort is semi-retirement for Catherine and Jose Luis Pawelek.

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 2016 5

BRICKS-AND-MORTAR BUSINESS

allow you to continue operating the business, without interruption, having to only change the shareholder’s names. This also gives you immediate funds without having to wait a few months before seeing any income. Of course, first things first. You must ensure that you have the proper visa and work permits before anything else.”

The Paweleks say you can expect to pay a total of $3,000 to $20,000 initially for all permits (depending upon whether you buy an existing corporation or start one from scratch) and up to $5,000 in annual renewals. Restaurants, for example, need additional licenses, besides the standard certificate of occupancy and usage license. Restaurants, they say, must also receive a health certificate, alcohol license, and a protecion civil (for hood, extractor, fumigation, recycling, grease trap, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, and signage etc.).

“The process for the annual renewal for our 16 licenses/permits/certificates starts in January of each year,” says Catherine.

Catherine and Jose Luis have concentrated on establishing their brand the first year. They have a very active presence on social networking sites, posting daily specials and taking reservations for special events and holidays.

“We are seeing an ROI of 14% now and expect to see 18% when we expand our hours to serve the lunch crowd.”

Finding Suppliers“Our greatest challenge is dealing with

vendors whose prices fluctuate and whose products sometimes change. We want to be sure to maintain our quality while also

keeping costs in line,” says Jose Luis.However, there is a wonderful supply of

fresh produce in Playa.“Many restaurants in the area use the

same excellent seafood monger who sells everything from baby scallops, shrimp, and mussels to tuna, mahi-mahi, salmon, and grouper,” says Jose Luis. “Our two meat butchers can provide most cuts of meat whether we are looking for the more often used arrachera (skirt or hanger steak), pork loin, or whole chicken, as well as the less frequently seen lamb shank, baby back ribs, and veal scaloppini.

“It’s wonderful to have access to such freshness. Luckily there is a wholesale produce mart right here in Playa del Carmen, giving us unlimited fresh bunches of basil, dill, rosemary, and cilantro; dozens of freshly ground spices; romaine, red leaf, and radicchio; and most fruits and vegetables.”

Jose Luis says that being close to the water permits access to some of the freshest seafood anywhere as well as providing weekly opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and kayaking.

“Sometimes we’ll take a day or an afternoon off to take advantage of this amazing place,” says Jose Luis. We can catch a movie or go to the beach. I also sneak in a round of golf a few times per month.”

Further Opportunity With the exponential growth happening

in Playa del Carmen, there is room for more bars and restaurants as the population increases and the projected visitor count continues to rise. Catherine offers this

All entry into Mexico requires a passport and any stay over 180 days for U.S. and Canadian citizens requires a visa, which must be applied for and granted by the Mexican embassy or consulate in your home country before departing.

It is not uncommon for retirees whose documents are in order to get their permanent resident visa in a matter of a few hours while temporary visas can often be granted in as little as a few days with proper documentation.

There are five different types of visas available and several may qualify to allow the visa holder to work. Resident visas, either permanent or temporary are best. However all applications to work or own a business must be tendered to Mexico’s Institute of National Migration for approval before employment begins or business is conducted and applicants must provide a proper visa at the time of application.

Only those residents who hold permanent resident status may avoid the application process and may, instead, simply notify the INM of their intent to work or go into business.

Like many other countries, visas and work permits require a bit of paperwork and unless you are fluent in Spanish, it’s probably wise to seek assistance from a local lawyer who specializes in employment permitting once you are on the ground.

Getting Started in Mexico

guidance for those wanting to take advantage of this opportunity.

“It’s a definite challenge to find the right employees for both the kitchen and the wait staff. Finding experienced wait staff with local roots who are service oriented and who have pretty good English language skills is important. We’ve been fortunate because three of our employees have been with us from the beginning. For expats wanting to start any business here, speaking Spanish is key. You must also have a trustworthy lawyer, real estate agent, and accountant as well as a good facilitator.”

Jose Luis and Catherine have recently purchased their own small house in Paamul, just 15 minutes south of Playa.

“Thirty years ago it was a spot for snowbirds coming down from the States and Canada to park their RVs,” explains Catherine. “They’d leave their campers and return up north during the summer months. Eventually some people built palapas (small houses) on their spot creating a more permanent structure and then RVs got pulled out and permanent homes were built. We have a nice palapa/RV combination. You can still buy a palapa like ours for $59,000 to $69,000.

“It’s nice to come home to our own place with access to a beautiful bay and a gorgeous beach. What we call our semi-retirement is working out just fine.”

Catherine and Jose Luis Pawelek weren’t ready to fully retire but they found the opportunity they

were looking for on the Riviera Maya.

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 20166

COVER STORY

Pursuing Art for Profit in Great Expat Destinations

Continued from page 1

And here’s an encouraging surprise. Some successful expat entrepreneurs who make their living from art-related businesses are not accomplished artists. Megan Sedlak quit her accounting job at KPMG to travel in Asia and hooked up with artists in Vietnam to create a successful gallery and art consulting business.

Wherever there are tourists or a strong local market, an art gallery could flourish. You can sell your own work, showcase other artists, and even combine your gallery with a complementary business such as a café, restaurant, or gift shop for an additional source of income. You can teach classes or host retreats…there are many possibilities.

Getting Started In March 2001, Lee left Southgate,

Michigan for Belize. “My kids were all grown and it was time to do something for myself, so I did the opposite of what all of my friends did. I sold my modest suburban home and got out of the stock market. Right after I left, Detroit started to crash,” she says.

Lee’s style of art, which is greatly influenced by the Caribbean, had not sold

well in the Detroit area. But when she vacationed and worked on paintings, she found considerable local interest. So she closed her studio and gallery in Wyandotte, Michigan and took a risk.

“I felt that I had the biggest emotional connection to Belize, of any place in the Caribbean or Mexico,” she explains. “After a year of visiting as often as possible, I took the leap of faith and moved here. I realized right away that I needed to have an outlet to retail my work so that I’d be properly represented and my work would not get lost or stacked behind other artists.”

Initially Lee sold her own art—hand-painted silk, local photos from Caye Caulker, prints, and jewelry in her outlet Caribbean Colors. She also represented several other artists. “I started it small and then grew the business,” she says.

In 2006 Amy and her husband moved to Nicaragua from Charlotte, North Carolina. She offers classes in painting and drawing, using an open studio concept, at Centro de Arte in Granada. Everyone works on their own projects, at their own pace. She provides instruction and guidance. Other artists also sell their work there and show it in her studio.

A major advantage of starting a business giving art classes is the low startup cost if you operate out of your home, as Amy did at the beginning. She spent about $1,000 for her initial outlay. “Really, not a whole lot of money to get it going. I had to buy paints—acrylic, oil, and watercolor, pencils, paper, canvas, erasers, rulers…everything you need to provide for a fully equipped studio. I had a lot of my own supplies from home and because I started in my home I had little overhead,” she says.

“I had the easels made here, and then tall tables for the paint and palettes. I bought some tables and chairs from a restaurant going out of business.”

Amy’s classes include all painting material except for the surface—paper, canvas, or wood panels. These are sold separately as they vary greatly in size, manufacturer, and style. The hardest thing to find was a person locally who could make the stretcher bars for the canvas and maintain

consistent quality. That took several years of trial and error.

Hollie Heller is another artist who decided to put her energy into teaching art to others. She’s an accomplished artist who had also taught art in the U.S. for 25 years.

Indulge your creativity as Lee Vanderwalker does making these one-of-a-kind earrings

from her new home in Belize.

She and her husband, Ralph Joseph, live in the small town of Tamarindo, on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast. It’s a laidback town known for its beach lifestyle. They were first enticed by Costa Rica’s natural beauty in 2008, so they bought a villa there.

But within a few years the couple knew they wanted to spend more time in Tamarindo so they started looking for a larger place that would allow for a studio space for Hollie. They found a property with a small casita.

“Suddenly I had an epiphany right there that I could open up an art retreat here,” says Hollie. After buying the lot, they built their new home, as well as Hollie’s custom-designed art studio, complete with tables and shelves made by local craftsman. She set up her website, Art Retreat Tamarindo, and began hosting classes.

“There wasn’t a great art scene here. It’s been interesting to bring the flavor of art to a place that doesn’t have access to contemporary or experimental art,” says Hollie.

In addition to teaching art Hollie is also organizing art events. Currently in the works for March 2016 is an art festival, Tamarindo

My kids were all grown and it was time to do something for myself...I took the leap of faith and moved to Belize.—Lee Vanderwalker

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 2016 7

COVER STORY

Art Wave, to take place at restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, and other spots around town.

Art as BusinessMegan is co-owner of Hay Hay, an arts

collective based out of Hoi An, Vietnam, but her background is in business administration, finance, and accounting. She worked for the accounting giant KPMG but yearned to one day own her own business. “I knew I wasn’t a lifer,” says Megan.

After quitting her job Megan took time to travel through Asia. While visiting Hoi An she fell in love with the area. One week turned into three months. “And that was that,” says Megan.

In December of 2012 Megan was inspired while traveling with her husband, Daniel Robbins, and friends—including New Zealand artist Shann Whitaker. She’d always been intrigued by textiles. While visiting Burma, she and Shann were browsing local markets. “We went into a textile market and I said to Shann, ‘This is what I should be doing. This feeds my passion and fuels me,’” says Megan.

She began to travel around Southeast Asia, buying fabric and attending conferences, to learn more about the craft of working with textiles. At the same time Shann was winding down his work in New Zealand, where he owned a gallery and sold his art to 70 or so shops. The two kept talking informally about starting something together.

Then talented Vietnamese artist Ha

Duong came along. “Hay Hay happened because we met Ha,” says Megan. “But we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.”

Megan, Shann, and Ha began to meet two days a week, on Megan’s days off, planning products and coming up with a business plan. They decided to open a shop in the tourist destination of old town Hoi An where they would focus on Vietnamese artists but also sell their original pieces.

“We saw Vietnamese artists with all of this talent,” says Megan, “and they didn’t have the audience or marketing or business to promote their work. We wanted to provide that for them.”

Now, less than two years after opening, Hay Hay is a successful arts collective that includes a design branch providing art to hotels.

Good LocationsLocation is critical to the success of any

art gallery that relies upon sales for income. For Megan finding a location for Hay Hay wasn’t easy. It took six months, and she had to sign the lease for the shop and buy all of the leftover merchandise from the previous tenant. But the store’s first location, next to Hoi An’s famous Japanese Bridge, ensures that they get plenty of tourist foot traffic.

“We had no brand, nothing to start with, so it was all about the location,” says Megan. “We found very quickly that discounting and traditional marketing techniques weren’t effective. No marketing is good enough to drive tourists to go off their trail to find a shop.”

Lee Vanderwalker quickly concluded that there was only one street worth locating her gallery. She has moved her art gallery in Caye Caulker, Belize, four times but always on Front Street so that her gallery was always close to the water taxis. The majority of people come and go from Caye Caulker on these small boats. So her Front Street locations have always received the best possible exposure.

The studio location is also important when teaching art…but for light and scenery rather than for footfall. Hollie’s 700-square-

foot art studio and teaching space is separate from the couple’s main house, which is set on a low cliff above the beach. Large picture windows let in plenty of natural light and allow her students to see the surrounding forest, which howler monkeys are known to frequent…and it’s even possible to catch a glimpse of the Pacific through the trees.

It is here that Hollie gets inspired, so much so that when she doesn’t have class she starts work in the morning and…“all of sudden it’s 3 o’clock. I’m addicted to making art.”

Initially Amy’s art studio in Nicaragua was located in her home. But later on a friend offered her a space in a building that’s well located in town.

“The building is a collaboration of businesses, and there is a café, a boutique, property management office, and my art studio, which is in the garden area. It’s a wonderful location right down from the Central Park and on the Calzada (restaurant row) here in Granada.”

Amy’s been there for eight years. It’s worked out well since the area is a hub of activity for tourists and residents. The majority of artists that participate in the studio are full- or part-time expats and locals.

Use Your SkillsNote that not all successful art business

owners are experienced artists. You can succeed in an art-related business if you have diverse skill sets or are willing to try new things. Hollie and Megan are great examples of these two different approaches.

There was little doubt that Hollie, a longtime working artist, would continue to

Art was a hobby for Amy Bushnell before she moved to Nicaragua but now she has her own studio and teaches painting classes.

American expat Megan Sedlak and her New Zealand business partner Shann Whitaker are enjoying

success with an arts venture in Vietnam.

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COVER STORY

create art after she moved to Tamarindo. But she quickly realized she could also share her talents and fulfill a need in her new community by teaching others how to create art. Her long-time experience as an art instructor in the U.S. was her guide. She started by offering art retreats to budding artists from North America. These artists come to Costa Rica solely to attend her intensive four-day retreats, at a cost of $650.

Here are some sage tips to consider before opening an art business overseas.

• Pick your location carefully: Your success will depend upon finding a desirable location for your business that you can afford. If you decide to open a gallery, you’re looking for a busy spot with plenty of tourists. If you decide to run classes, you need to be accessible to the local market. If you want to host retreats, you’ll need to be close to an airport but have an attractive environment for your guests.

• Determine your market: Consider the competition and where your clients will come from. Take your time, get to know the area, hang out, and talk to people. But do not tell them what your plans are. It will take a year to figure out who is who and what is what.

• Analyze profit margins: Typically artists obtain the highest profit margins from selling their own works. When you sell on consignment for other artists, you receive a commission but the mark up is less. The least profitable sales are for outside merchandise.

• Diversify your business: You can serve coffee in your gallery, teach classes in your home, or set yourself up as an art consultant. You can choose to sell only your own art, take other work on consignment, or become part of a collective.

• Consider packaging and shipping: Shipping items home for your customer will be part of your business. Restrictions and costs vary from country to country so you will have to check them out and factor in the cost.

• Sustain yourself for a year: The amount of savings you need depends on where you move to and the business approach you choose. During the first year you’ll need to analyze the market and your competition; obtain your residence, work permit, a business license, and associated permits; and find a reliable local partner, if required. $50,000 is a ballpark figure.

What You Need to Know About Selling Art

Hollie Heller created an income from her art in Tamarindo where she enjoys a fun social

life around live music and dining out.

In a separate program, Hollie draws students from the local expat community, and some tourists, for once-a-week sessions that last up to three hours, with the studio open another day each week for the students to work independently. The typical class lasts four weeks. The cost is $35 per session.

In Vietnam, Megan eventually chose to focus her energy on expanding the business rather than creating art. She’s not a trained artist but has the business skills critical for success.

“I’ve always loved fabric and textiles and initially that was my contribution,” she says. “But Ha’s and Shann’s talents far supersede my talents. In a way, I dropped the textile side to become the managing director of the business. Artists don’t have the business side. I do. When you combine those two, it’s powerful. And rare. That’s why we land the contracts that we land…hotel general managers don’t want to talk to artists, they want to talk to me.”

Maximizing ProfitsFor artists at retirement age, earning an

income may be secondary to achieving their dream of immersing themselves in creating art. But for younger expats who do not have the benefit of retirement income, earning a decent living from their art business is a must.

Megan knew from day one that Hay Hay needed to provide a strong income stream.

“Within the first month and a half of opening, I could see that the shop wasn’t going to cover two Western incomes and allow us to live the life we wanted to live.”

It affords us the life we were looking for in the first place. Megan is able to have her dream of running a business, and I’m able to have my dream of living an alternative life.—Daniel Robbins

Hay Hay’s biggest expense, with the exception of their initial renovation and other setup costs, is the rent—particularly because they had to pay for a year’s rent upfront. She soon learned that most successful business owners in Hoi An don’t own one shop; they own several shops and often a few other businesses as well.

So Hay Hay Designs was born. With the help of interested international hotelier partners, one Hay Hay shop turned into 10 shops and three hotel contracts, with more rolling in. They made back their initial investment within a year and a half.

Hay Hay is now able to cover the costs of supplies for their four Vietnamese artists as well as provide them a venue for selling original pieces and to make royalties off of prints, stationery, magnets, and more.

As the company has grown, they’ve been able to hire more staff so that Ha, one of their most successful artists, is able to spend less time working in the shop and more time creating original work. Everyone makes more money from original work, particularly the artist. It allows Hay Hay to have more variety in its offerings, which is why they’re now looking for more talented Vietnamese artists to join the collective.

Over the years Lee adapted and expanded her art business in Belize.

“I started off by just selling art and hand-made jewelry from 2001 to 2004. I earned

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COVER STORY

Blue skies, palm trees, and the easy vibe of Caye Caulker drew Lee Vanderwalker to set up an art gallery there for an overseas income.

One of the first tasks to opening an art business is to determine what licenses and permits are required. They differ significantly from country to country, and even between regions and towns in a country.

Megan Sedlak in Vietnam stresses the importance of making good local connections. Getting a business license for her art outlet, Hay Hay, was relatively simple for her. “I had a meeting with a Vietnamese lawyer, she filled out paperwork, we signed it, and we had a business license—but this also required trust as Vietnamese law is very different from American law,” she says.

For Lee Vanderwalker in Belize things were not as simple. To work legally in Belize, whether or not you own a business, you must have a work permit. It takes about three months to get a self-employment work permit. To get a work permit to run her gallery on Caye Caulker she needed an endorsement letter from the Village Council. She then filed papers to register her business name in Belmopan, the country’s capital. And she needed a business sponsor—either a native born Belizean or a foreigner with residence who lives in Belize. In Belize each village or town has unique ordinances.

Amy Bushnell moved to Nicaragua as a pensionado. Technically, she can own a business but can’t “work.” Her art studio falls into the category of a “cultural enterprise.” So from day one her goal was strictly to cover her costs in order to comply with her residence status—although the business has the potential to increase income. Amy set the cost of classes to just cover the cost of materials. “I do this for pleasure,” she says. “It took about a year to break even from the initial cash outlay. Every year I break even and that is planned.”

Setting Up a Business Overseas

a decent living, nothing too glamorous, but enough to sustain myself,” she explains. “Then I moved to a larger location in 2004 that had space to put in a little snack bar, so I started serving great coffee, cookies, and brownies.

“One of my daughters moved down here, so I expanded the food section. We now offer a full breakfast and lunch menu with healthy options. It took a full year of being in business, to go through the slow season, and into the start of the next high season, to start being profitable.”

In 2008 Lee took a two-year hiatus, but later re-opened her gallery in Caye Caulker. “When I re-started my business in 2010, it took six months to become profitable. Another consideration is that the business is seasonal, with November to April being the high season when you make all the money you have to live on for the whole year.”

Overseas LivingHollie and her husband enjoy

Tamarindo’s live music scene, a fun-loving circle of friends, dining out, and more.

“I love the environment…the birds…the monkeys,” says Hollie. “I love being on the ocean. I love the beach. I love the music scene, and we go out to eat a lot at the great restaurants here. It’s a bustling town with lots of shops. It really has a small town feel. We know a lot of people in our age bracket, 50s to 60s. We meet positive, interesting people all the time.”

Working with other artists and art lovers in the community, Hollie is seeking to inject fine arts into this popular beach resort, which is otherwise known as a surf and watersports town. “I have fun socializing with people interested in the arts. I’ve made some great friends,” says Hollie.

Lee relishes her artistic endeavors but makes time to enjoy the sea environment in Caye Caulker. “I’m an artist, so nearly every moment of the day when I’m not at the gallery, I’m either doing art, creating jewelry, merchandising, matting and mounting prints, or thinking and dreaming. But I love to leave

work and go to the Split (a lovely spot on the sea) for a quick swim or a little soak near sunset on the west side of the island.”

Recently Lee started volunteering, teaching a recycled jewelry class for Ocean Academy, a local school, one day a week out of her home studio. “What’s exciting about teaching the class is that I get more than I give to these students,” she says.

While it’s taken plenty of hard work and some stressful lessons learned, both Megan and her husband, Daniel, are happy that she decided to start a business in central Vietnam.

“It affords us the life we were looking for in the first place,” says Daniel. “Megan’s able to have her dream of running a business, and I’m able to have my dream of living an alternative life.”

Because of the low cost of living, Megan and Daniel live comfortably in Vietnam and travel freely—including two or three international trips a year. In 2015 they went home once but also spent a month away in Japan and another month in Africa. “Hay Hay enables us to continue traveling, which is why we came here in the first place,” explains Daniel.

From day one Amy was committed to maintaining a reasonable work/life balance. “I do not do this to make a living but rather to have a life. There is a big difference,” she says. She intentionally keeps her business manageable so that she and her husband have time to socialize and get involved. “We manage to have quite an active social life and we are involved in many community projects. It’s easy to make a difference here...”

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International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 201610

SET-UP SOLUTIONS

Leave Your Boss and Become a Roving Consultant

By Sheila Brown

Never underestimate the skills you have acquired in your career to date. They may well be your passport to a

portable or part-time income that releases you from your desk job to travel or live overseas. By becoming a consultant, you open yourself up to a new way of earning a living.

Are you already in a profession that easily lends itself to transferring those skills to a consulting agency? I was a recruiter for 19 years, and after being laid off I became a consultant. For seven years I was able to work six months of the year and travel for the other six months.

Now, I coach people on how to create portable incomes to fund their lives abroad. And one of the most popular businesses my clients choose to pursue is setting up their own consulting business. Some of my clients have worked in marketing, IT, advertising, computer programming, and other areas where your experience can be converted into this type of opportunity.

I have a client who already had an IT agency with global clients, but he never realized he could travel and do what he does. I gave him a few tips, and, in the past six months, he has worked from six different countries and doubled his business.

I also helped my business partner set up what has become a very successful digital branding agency. She is on her way to visit me here in the Dominican Republic after spending the entire month of December in Thailand and Bali. During that trip, she booked another five figures in new business and has decided to travel for the next six months.

Choosing a FieldFirst, you need to determine what you

want to be hired to do as a consultant and what type of clients you want to serve. Take a look at the field you’re in, paying close attention to what kind of trends are developing and where your services as a consultant might be of use.

A suggestion I often make to clients is to get training to obtain new skills that you can then market as a consultant. Sometimes a small investment—of time and money—in training can greatly enhance the skills you already have.

For instance, digital media training is one that I recommend. You’ll learn how to communicate effectively through new media channels (websites, e-letters, Facebook, Twitter, and so on). The demand for this skill will only increase as years go on and you will be helping small businesses and individuals improve their online presence. I recommend Hubspot.com and their Academy to get certified. Those skills and the certification will have you prepared to handle myriad different clients. Another resource for training is the Digital Marketing Institute.

Finding ClientsFor me, landing clients was an easy

process because I was known in the industry. Make sure you develop good industry contacts who know your worth so that you can approach them when you make the break.

As you are starting out, you need to decide how you plan to acquire clients. I find that referral business is best. If you decide to go this route, start by making a list of potential clients that are already in your network that you would feel comfortable offering your chosen services to. If you do not have an established network, then I would suggest using Linkedin.com as an ideal place to source business clients and also find networking events in your local area.

I would suggest you choose to focus on one specific niche and become an expert in serving that specific niche as I did with Hollywood headhunting versus consulting on something general such as marketing.

Setting UpTo set up your business, you need the

basics of a branding website that has your services listed and how to contact you. You will also need to decide on the name of your business and purchase the domain name. If you’re not skilled in web design, find someone who can set it up for you.

You’ll also need appropriate licenses. Choose to incorporate your businesses in a no-state-income-tax state. Those states are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. That, combined with the foreign earned-income exclusion—which for 2016 is $101,300—means that I have my entities set up in a way that allows my tax situation to work well for

me as a nomadic entrepreneur. Everyone’s situation is different; consult with a CPA to determine the best solution for you.

Get help from an attorney to help you set up the proper business structure, an accountant/CPA, bookkeeper, and insurance agent. Depending on your chosen field there may be other relevant professionals whose expertise you need to draw on.

Set up a business banking account and a communication system, such as Skype. That definitely comes in handy to contact clients when you live or travel abroad.

Pricing Regarding pricing, first and foremost,

do not be the cheapest priced agency in your chosen niche. In order to work with high quality clients, you must charge high dollar rates. If you’re charging too little, potential clients will think you are not good enough to hire for the job.

Research what other consultants/agencies are charging in your niche. Simply look at their websites for rates. Stay comparable if they are in a range you want to be in. If not, charge more than they do.

Be Realistic While it may sound glamorous to have

your own consulting agency, remember that you have to serve your clients well. You will be dealing with different personalities, and they have expectations from you in terms of what you will produce for them. It’s not a simple process to move from years—or even decades—of being an employee to successfully being your own boss. There is a major mindset change that must occur.

Setting up your own consulting agency really isn’t that difficult if you know a few of the basics. It is a portable business that you can run from anywhere.

So start with your first client and build from there.

Editor’s note: Sheila Brown is a world traveler, business consultant, and internet marketing coach who helps aspiring and veteran entrepreneurs build more income streams. Sheila is the founder of multiple online businesses, including the Portable Business Academy, an online academy that shows how to create portable income streams.

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 2016 11

CHANGE YOUR LIFE

One lonely night in a hotel room in St. Louis—where I was working as a healthcare consultant on a project—I

began thinking “there has to be something better.”

During my 25 years in the healthcare industry I had thought many times about doing something more fulfilling. But I heard over and over again that work is not something that you enjoy or that fulfills you…just something that provides a paycheck.

I finally decided to challenge that conventional wisdom.

After hours of research, I felt confident that I had outlined options for “something better” and proceeded to prepare a presentation for my husband, Neal. (I was a project manager, after all). The next day I put forward my proposal: save a designated amount of money over the next two years…and then move to France for a year.

During our year in France I would work on building a photography portfolio, and he could finish that novel he had been working on for years. Although Neal was also really ready for a career break, we were both raised in conservative Midwest families, where quitting your job and moving to France might be considered a bit deranged. So it took some contemplation, but he agreed.

A Year AbroadMy next course of action was to start

making checklists, setting goals, establishing timelines, and researching places to live in France. We decided not to store our belongings, but rather to sell them. Anything that didn’t fit in four suitcases had to go.

It was incredibly liberating to free ourselves from the stuff we had gathered over the years. It truly felt like at some point that the stuff started to own us, rather than the other way around.

We drastically changed our lifestyle, even moving to a smaller, less expensive apartment. We outlined a strict budget so that we could meet our savings goal to have enough to live for a year in France—without earning an income—and enough to get back to the U.S. and set up a new household.

Yes, it was quite a lofty goal. But with the end result being the opportunity to live

in France for a year, we were very motivated to implement our new plan. It became like a game to figure out how little we could spend to get by from day to day.

Taking OffIn May 2015 we boarded a cruise ship

that would take us across the ocean and toward our dream. My husband really hates to fly and talked me into taking the Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria for eight days, rather than an eight-hour flight. We landed in Southampton, England and then headed to London, and then Paris. Next, we took a train south to Toulouse, France where we would settle in for the next year.

For the first two weeks, we attended language school at Langue Onze, which included staying with a host family. While doing that, we used Leboncoin.fr, which is similar to Craigslist in the United States, to locate apartment rentals in Toulouse.

We found a small, furnished apartment near centre-ville (the city center) for $730 per month. The apartment is located over a garage owned by a French family, who have graciously invited us to parties, introduced us to market vendors, and helped us decipher any French language or procedure issues that we have had along the way.

I have always loved to travel and to experience different cultures. But traveling to a place for a few days just doesn’t give the same experience as living there.

When we first perused the local markets, we weren’t quite sure how to buy anything. Now we confidently purchase local sausage, cheese, roasted chicken, produce, and pastries. We have figured out which times of day the bread is baked at our local boulangerie, so that we always go home with a warm baguette.

Because of the amazing rail system here, we have been able to explore all over France without a car and without ever seeing the inside of an airplane (which makes Neal very happy).

We have explored the châteaux and wine region in Tours…the city and vineyards of Bordeaux…and the famous Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy. We rode bikes around Île de Ré, an island off the west coast of France. Another trip took us to the charming

town of Dijon, and then to Annecy in the French Alps, with a sparkling clear lake and medieval old town.

Being in the south of France, we decided to travel a few hours south to Spain for another cultural experience. On the Mediterranean coast we visited Barcelona with the incredible architecture of Gaudi, and then Alicante, where we visited the Santa Barbara Castle, which dates back to the ninth century. It’s fascinating how after crossing the border, suddenly everything changes: language, food, meal times, architecture, and clothing styles.

This May our visas expire, and we return to the United States. As we approach that date, we have become very contemplative about our adventure so far, and what we have left. We have seen and experienced so much.

Don’t get me wrong; there were struggles and stresses too. Living in a country where we don’t speak the language has been difficult. But throughout the course of this past year we have challenged ourselves in so many ways, met so many wonderful people, and visited places that we could have only imagined.

We decided to share our experiences in France with our friends and family through a blog, Breath of French Air. Since we started our blog, I have been contacted by people interested in our adventure and have developed friendships with many of them. Making friends with people from here in France and from all over the world has been one of my greatest joys about this adventure.

Before we leave this charming corner of the world, we plan to visit the Provence region of France, northern Italy, and Germany. Although somewhat wistful about leaving, I am also looking forward to the next chapter in our lives. We are moving to northern California, and I have already started anticipating the amazing photography opportunities that await me. We will continue to see and experience the world, just from a different point of reference.

My advice to anyone who is considering an adventure abroad—for a week, month, year, or permanent move—is to find a way to make it happen. You will only regret not doing it.

“How We Took a Year Off to Live in France”

By Diane M. Evans

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GOOD LOCATION FOR…

Bringing Western-Style Cafés to Coffee-Loving Vietnam

By Sarah Aldrich and Gyscha Rendy

Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world…and it has its own way of brewing beverages.

But Western trends are catching on and a growing number of tourists and expats are looking for European- and American-style coffee like espresso, cappuccino, and latte, as well as classic American foods and desserts.

Enterprising expats have found that there is an untapped demand for certain Western café offerings. From buzzing Ho Chi Minh City to small, picturesque resorts on the coast, you’ll find opportunities in this niche.

Canadian Charlie Ritchie, 56, and his wife, Betty, opened the Happy Heart Café in the central Vietnam hub of Da Nang in October 2015.

“There are a lot of expats living in Da Nang, and there are a lot of visitors that don’t stay at high-end hotels,” says Charlie. “They want to have a place where they can hang out and have good American-style cooking, good coffee, good service. We have cinnamon rolls, mac and cheese, and lasagna…what I would call comfort food.”

Happy Heart is located in Da Nang’s city center near many hotels, ensuring them a steady lunch crowd of business travelers. He offers a variety of vegetarian fare as well as imported drinks like Dr. Pepper and Strongbow Cider, things that aren’t easily found in Da Nang. Before Happy Heart opened, most places serving American dishes in Da Nang were upscale restaurants…or resorts where the prices corresponded with the five-star ratings.

Max Kovalchuk set up Katie’s Coffee Shop in Mui Ne, a fishing village six hours

from Ho Chi Minh City. “I was a real estate broker and, after

working for six years, I realized that I wanted a change,” says Max, who is originally from Russia. “So I left my job, and bought a one-way ticket to Singapore. I traveled around Southeast Asia and fell in love with Vietnam.

“When I came to Mui Ne for the first time, I couldn’t find a single coffee shop or hotel that offered a typical European espresso. They only offered Vietnamese coffee…I saw that as a great opportunity to run a small coffee shop, to offer not only local coffee but also international brands, with Western-style breakfast.”

Max made friends in Mui Ne, and soon someone let him know about a property that was available on the town’s main street.

“As soon as I saw this place...I could picture myself making cappuccino for the guests…creating a nice, warm, homey coffee house,” says Max.

Jerry Wyatt, 66, spent his career in the United States Army and had the dream of returning to Vietnam, where he fought during the war, to help the Vietnamese people once he retired. He and his wife, Barbara, 63, moved from their home of Wood River, Illinois—a suburb of St. Louis—to Ho Chi Minh City in 2000.

In 2006, after two-and-a-half years of planning, they opened Master’s Cup. They started out small, with a simple food menu including things like hamburgers and club sandwiches. Then, they decided to find something that nobody else in Ho Chi Minh City was doing.

“We focus on American pies, and it’s been really successful,” says Barbara. Master’s Cup bakes classics like apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies, and they rotate in specialties like key lime pie, which expats love. They also serve Vietnamese dishes which are more affordable, ensuring that they have a mix of expat and local customers.

They signed a three-year lease for a spot in Ho Chi Minh’s centrally located District 10 but when the lease was up, and the landlord raised the rent, they found a different location.

“It’s away from the city center, but there are a lot of universities,” says Barbara. “There’s been better business out here…we’ve been received very well.”

Getting StaffMax traveled around Southeast Asia

before setting in Mui Ne and even explored the possibility of setting up a business elsewhere. “It wasn’t that complicated at all to set up a business in Vietnam, compared to Bali or other places in Asia,” he says. “Vietnam is so much easier, and there’s not much money under the table involved. The process was pretty fair and straightforward; it didn’t take me a long time to launch Katie’s Coffee House.

“The biggest challenge was finding the local talent. It’s really difficult to find local people here who speak English and are passionate to serve people. But I believe it’s just a matter of how you train them and motivate them.

“I’m so proud of my staff here, although they speak little English and often you have to remind them to smile to the customers. But they’re always willing to learn new things. I continually train them about management and how to deliver excellent customer service.”

While Charlie and Betty were in the planning stages for Happy Heart, a team of handicapped and deaf Vietnamese workers was let go from a local restaurant due to a change in ownership. Charlie hired them. “We thought, ‘Let’s show that these folks can run a coffee shop just as well as anyone else,’” says Charlie.

The workers at Happy Heart are paid a

Charlie and Betty Ritchie have created a happy, satisfying lifestyle with a

café business in Vietnam.

Hoh Chi Minh City, is a lively spot where opportunities are increasing for expats.

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International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 2016 13

GOOD LOCATION FOR…

small base salary in addition to income from profit sharing. “It’s their business,” says Charlie. “They work longer hours. They’re invested because they see themselves as co-owners.” This is part of the reason why Happy Heart was able to break even after their first month of business.

Chat in EnglishCharlie grew up in Montreal and was

working as a successful chemical engineer in Canada when he had an epiphany. “I came to a point where I said, ‘Do I want to make plastic for the rest of my life or do I want to do some good?’” explains Charlie.

So he moved to Hanoi for a decade to run an NGO. Then he returned to Canada to put his kids through school, working as an executive in the corporate world.

“When my kids were grown, my wife and I said, ‘Let’s go back to Vietnam,’” he says.

Charlie thought that providing the Vietnamese with management and English training would help the developing country grow economically. Betty has a master’s in education, and they started their school and café as a social enterprise. It hosts an English Corner every night where their Vietnamese students who are studying English at the school can practice their skills with volunteers.

Master’s Cup Coffee House in Ho Chi Minh City integrates English language learning more formally into its business model, with a regular coffee shop on their first floor and two speaking rooms on their second floor. The speaking rooms are always staffed with native English speakers, who volunteer from the time the café opens at 8 a.m. until it closes at 10 p.m. each day.

Barbara says expat customers contribute to the humanitarian work through their purchases in the coffee shop, and the menu includes three Vietnamese dishes for the students who can’t afford to buy Western food. She estimates that their customers are half foreigners and half Vietnamese.

Having an additional attraction helps to draw customers.

“Whoever wants to open a business in Vietnam, they’ve got to think about how to make it multifaceted,” says Charlie. “If you want to start a coffee shop, it would be good to think of a deli or a grocery store or different things that would work together to make your coffee shop more successful, more of a draw.

“When I first started, I wanted to make a concept that was reproducible…that I could franchise. I already have people talking to me about a franchise opportunity. Even Da Nang could handle two more like this.”

Business TipsAll three of these business owners have

opened or are researching the opening of second (and third and fourth) locations for their coffee shops in Vietnam. Max has already opened a second coffee shop in Nha Trang, a larger beach town to the north of Mui Ne that attracts many international tourists.

Charlie suggests that if you want to get into the food and beverage industry in Vietnam, there may be opportunities to franchise an existing business rather than starting from scratch.

“Most restaurant owners who are foreigners in Vietnam are interested in franchising,” he says. “So if you see something that’s successful, you can ask to run a franchise.”

Sean Ngo, a Vietnamese-American and CEO of VF Franchise Consulting in Ho Chi Minh City, says, “Franchising is a great idea, but the business must operate in Vietnam for a minimum of one year before it can be franchised. Vietnam has specific franchising laws, so they must be followed.”

He recommends working with a local expert to set up a foreign-owned company in Vietnam. This expert could be an international lawyer or a Vietnamese company familiar with international business. There is an associated fee, but both Charlie and Barbara agree that it’s worth it to pay for someone who will do the job correctly.

Vietnam requires foreigners to have an entry visa (see sidebar.) “If a foreigner is investing into the country (a.k.a. setting up a company), then he or she can apply for a longer term visa, typically three years,” explains Sean. But Vietnamese visa requirements change frequently, so you need to do your research on visas and figure out the best solution for you.

Location ChoiceCharlie and Betty chose to locate in

Da Nang for the lifestyle. “It’s easy to live here,” Charlie says. “The cost of living is lower than Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, and we’re closer to nature. Some of the most beautiful country in Vietnam is nearby.”

Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive than other parts of Vietnam. Rent for a Western-style apartment can cost anywhere from $1,000 per month on the outskirts of the city to $10,000 in the city center. Jerry and Barbara’s Master’s Cup wasn’t in the black for years. Their plan was to live off of their investments rather than rely on profits from their business. However, now that they are profitable, they are looking to expand their concept in other parts of Vietnam.

Max’s favorite aspects of living in Mui Ne are the amazing weather and the low cost of living. He’s found one-bedroom houses renting for $300 to 400 per month. He says that opening Katie’s Coffee House was his “best decision ever.”

Charlie and Betty are equally pleased with their choice. “I’m not making as much money as I used to, but I’m really happy,” Charlie says. “I’m doing what I want to do. And making a difference.”

Vietnam is looking good for expats at the moment. The government is proposing to extend entry visas for U.S. citizens from three months to one year, in an effort to boost tourism and investment. More than three million U.S. tourists visited in the first six months of 2015.

In addition, as of July 1, 2015, foreigners were granted the right to “own any property for a maximum of 50 years and enjoy the same rights to lease, transfer or sell the property as Vietnamese citizens.” The Vietnamese government is yet to decide what will happen after 50 years; at this time, they are planning to establish an extension process.

Both Hoi An and the larger city of Da Nang to the north have real estate agencies that cater to foreigners interested in buying or renting property (or land)—check out Nha Toi Real Estate and Central Vietnam Realty, respectively.

How Vietnam is Opening Up to Expat Entrepreneurs

Mui Ne is a traditional fishing village on the Vietnamese coast, which is destined

to grow as a tourist resort.

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International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 201614

GAP IN THE MARKET

Taking the Consignment-Store Idea to New Markets

By Anna Lebedeva

Consignment shop owners face stiff competition in North America, but in many other countries these kinds of

bargain outlets are few and far between. And that is good news if you are looking

for business ideas.Setting up a reselling business has many

advantages. Financial risks are low as the investment doesn’t include buying stock, and you can easily test your market with a “pop-up” store—running for just a week or two—before signing a commercial lease or even buying property.

Talking to expats, researching online forums and on Craigslist, and checking out existing shops and markets where pop-up sellers might work will give you a clear idea whether consignment is a good idea for your particular area.

Often, the main expense in running a consignment store is the rent. Premises in central locations with a lot of foot traffic are expensive. But at the same time you have to be in the right neighborhood for your type of goods. It’s a balance.

Depending on your budget, you can choose the way you want to work: paying your consignors upfront or offering profit sharing so they receive the money only when their goods sell.

Good LocationsCentral American countries are only

starting to catch up with the consignment trend. Locals operate various types of second-hand stores but the quality of merchandise is often rather poor.

For instance, in Costa Rica you find few store-front reselling businesses. But the existing ones are doing a good business, and many individuals are involved in reselling on a much smaller scale. IL Costa Rica Editor Jason Holland says expats and locals are very active in buying and selling used smartphones, computers, furniture, baby clothes, power tools, clothing, and other items online in forums and Facebook groups. The many buy-and-sell Facebook groups in Costa Rica are a great indicator that there is a demand in the market.

“I think that a store that offered a centralized place in a community to sell these

items would work well,” he says. “There is a consignment store that has done pretty well about 30 minutes’ drive from my home on the northern Pacific coast. And a new vendor at our local farmers’ market is now doing consignment sales every Saturday morning—on a small scale so far.”

In Panama, retail sales are confined to Panamanian nationals and—until recently—resales were lumped in the same category. However, authorities have agreed to a separate classification for consignment sales, opening this growing and promising industry up to foreigners.

“New consignment posts tout everything from furniture, art, and clothing,” says IL Panama Editor Jessica Ramesch. “Interest is high and there are still niches to fill in Panama City and upcoming destinations like David, Boquete, and Coronado.”

Expat Rosalind Baitel owns the high-end Promises consignment boutique in Panama City. “In my opinion, all of Latin America is ripe for the expansion of the whole resale and consignment culture,” she says. “It has the perfect combination of ingredients: many social circles that do not always mix, a fashion, brand and cost-conscious culture, boom in social media and economic growth, and emerging middle classes with increased buying power.”

Reselling stores can be successful in areas with large expat communities, where some people are discarding items and others are looking to set up home inexpensively—as Patsi and John Phillips found out after opening Casa Décor in Boquete, Panama, one year ago. Their 2,000-square-foot shop is packed with used and new household items, furniture, gifts, and jewelery. “We sell to locals and expats, and the business is growing,” says Patsi.

The concept is also new in parts of Europe. Ella de Guzman, a Vancouver native, opened a store in Dublin, Ireland in 2011 called Siopaella. It’s the first consignment store selling both mainstream and luxury women’s and men’s apparel in Dublin. Eva says she saw a niche in the market and jumped on the opportunity. “The most difficult part in setting up the business was taking the leap and having confidence to do something that was

such a new concept in Ireland,” she says.After one year Ella made a profit and

now, four years later, she has a booming business with 12 staff members, 4,000 consignors, and three “bricks-and-mortar” outlets, as well as one online outlet selling designer clothing and accessories, fashion, and housewares.

She started small, with her own savings, no stuff, and very few shop fixtures. “I knew I had to do everything when I started, from the branding, to design, and the buying. Unlike traditional retail, you are essentially dealing with thousands of suppliers,” says Eva.

Different SystemsThere are different types of consignment

stores that sell second-hand goods on the consignor’s (or owner’s) behalf. “Catch all” stores stock everything from books and DVDs to housewares and furniture; specialized businesses may focus on used electronics, appliances, high-end designer apparel, or children’s clothes.

If your focus is on high-end designer apparel, you might want to be closer to good neighborhoods where you, potential consigners, and buyers live and shop. For selling used furniture or kitchen appliances, you would need a large retail space with parking. If you have a very tight budget to start with, setting up a pop-up shop in a church or community hall might be a good solution.

The profit split is agreed in the contract that the consignors sign and can be anything from 20% to 60%, depending on the items’ quality, value, and desirability.

Sorting out the stock takes time, as the quality of items that suppliers bring might not always be up to par. But one of the consignment business specifics is the relationship that the store builds with both consignors and buyers.

The most successful consignment stores create a community around their business, publish daily Facebook and Twitter updates to build a strong following on social media, and send regular email newsletters.

And in the right location, with the right stock, you can have a profitable business on your hands.

Anyone who likes to write can learn the same skill that lets some people earn a very comfortable six-figure income from home, year after year. No bosses, no commute.

It’s a skill that—once you have it—will put your financial destiny squarely in your own hands, for as long as you choose to use it.

You’ll be in constant demand.You’ll never be wanting for work or money, no matter what state the economy is in.You just decide how much you need and figure out how many letters you need to write.It’s like having a little wealth dial you can turn as high as you want!It’s something you’ll be proud to mention to your friends and people you meet. (Believe

me, people will be very intrigued when you tell them what you do. They’ll want to know all about it.)

But more than anything else, it’s an opportunity to “reinvent” yourself… and learn a financially valuable skill that will quickly lift you above any economic fray… forever.

Use it to turn a hobby or personal passion into a fun and lucrative career. Use it to help find a cure for cancer or help those in distress. Use it to start your own business (for practically nothing)—or work in a field you’ve always dreamed of.

Along the way, you’ll learn much about yourself, about business, and about the world around you.

You don’t even need to be a “writer” to be successful… All you need to enjoy this success is a computer… a desk… and AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six Figure Copywriting to show you the way!

Learn the Same Secrets That Have Sold Billions

For more information visit www.thewriterslife.com/acceleratedcopywriting

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 201616

CLASSIFIEDS Your guide to money-making opportunities worldwide

Small Business Address | Business Mailing Services | Inventory & Fulfillment ServicesWant to start selling products in the US but not sure where to start? Or, want to buy items from the US for your overseas business?Start by getting in touch with us at US Global Mail! We can assist you in buying items from the US, bundling and shipping them on to you and/or in setting up a Warehousing and Fulfillment program that will make the most sense for your business (and money). Our services include a US Office Address, Purchasing/Bundling items for shipment, Inventory Management, Distribution and Order Management and Fulfillment services: https://www.usglobalmail.com/small-business/solutions/

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GREAT WORK FROM HOME OPPORTUNITY

Established American company seeks experienced sales and marketing types.

Our business development specialists call into companies to set appointments and generate leads on behalf of some of the largest companies in the world.

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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES$1.75 per word. Boldface or ALL CAPITAL words an additional $0.25 per word.To include a box around the advertisement is an additional $10. Picture $75.Incomes Abroad subscribers receive a 20% discount. Deadline is six weeks preceding publication. Prepayment must accompany every classified ad.To place a classified ad please contact advertising@internationalliving.com.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES$1.75 per word. Boldface or ALL CAPITAL words an additional $0.25 per word.To include a box around the advertisement is an additional $10. Picture $75.Incomes Abroad subscribers receive a 20% discount. Deadline is six weeks preceding publication. Prepayment must accompany every classified ad.To place a classified ad please contact advertising@internationalliving.com.

All listings are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. International Living reserves the right to disqualify any listings it deems unsuitable. International Living does not endorse these organizations or their respective products, services and programs. In addition, International Living shall not be responsible for any and all liability, including negligence, that may arise from a member’s use of the advertisements. “Caveat Emptor” applies—let the buyer beware.

FABULOUS OCEAN VILLA homeplus 3 apts great income.

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ForestCascades is a successful, productive, profitable, 70-acre coffee farm

in Costa Rica conveniently located within one hour from everything.

Harvest, 2015, will exceed18,000 pounds of coffeewith a value of $36,000.

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With less than 20% of the farm planted, thereis easily room to double or even triple the

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Phone= US 800-990-2521, Costa Rica 506-8779-2344

Beautifully restored, 10-bedroom Colonial hotel. Santo Domingo Colonial Zone Dominican Republic.

Great occupancy and income year round. Retirement/Investment.

Fabulous reputation. marketing@casasanchezhotel.com

Celebrating Our SIXTH Year of Relocation Tours! Our 6-day 5-night ALL-INCLUSIVE Panama Relocation Tour ™ will introduce you to the

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Pay one flat fee for the Tour which will include all ground transportation, lodging…

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Peaceful Rustic Retreat Located in the quiet town of

Santa Lucia, Honduras20 minutes from Tegucigalpa.

3 BR/2 BA, LR, DR, kitchen, mezzaanine,loft, laundry area, art studio with kiln,

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new graded terrace landscaping, widened driveway.Lot size 14,838 sq. ft.

House size 2,500 sq. ft. $269k OBOSale by Owner

Visit: https://www.facebook.com/Peaceful-Rustic-Retreat-Santa-Lucia-Honduras-826844537413759/?fref=nf

Not Ready to Retire?These days most people over 65

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Tap into your new “retirement career” with individual coaching.

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Access to Worldwide Medical Professionals/Patient Referrals

International Board of Medicine and Surgerywww.ibms.us

Dr. Grace Ordonez provides dental care to the highest international standards

using the most advanced technology.Located in the beautiful city of Cuenca, Ecuador

All our work is guaranteed. Our material are German and U.S. quality!!www.dragraceordonez.com

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Endo $150-260

Crowns &bridges $150-350

Email: graceord13@hotmail.comRecommendations: http://www.cuencahighlife.

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International Living’s Incomes Abroad | February 2016 17

OPPORTUNITY DIGEST

You Could Sail the Profitable Seas of Costa Rica

Does your idea of the perfect workday include unfurling sails, surveying a horizon of glittering ocean and majestic green mountains, spotting dolphins, whales, and sea turtles…and sharing the magic of the sea with guests? Then IL Costa Rica Editor Jason Holland has just spotted a perfect opportunity for you in Costa Rica.

Highly-rated on TripAdvisor.com, Sea Bird Sailing Excursions is a sailing-tour company based in Playas del Coco, a beach town popular with visitors from around the world on the northern Pacific coast. It’s been operating profitably, say the owners, for the last seven years. It offers group tours and private charters with activities like snorkeling, fishing, visits to secluded beaches, and sunset cruises.

At a sale price of $289,000, the business is sold completely turnkey, with all the appropriate licenses and permits in place to operate. You also get the 45-foot double-masted sailing yacht (sleeps nine), as well as snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and more. The sellers will also train you, although sailing experience is required. For details send a message to: info@SeaBirdSailingExcursions.com.

A Promising Market for an Organic Store in Mexico

Sayulita is a gem of a town, located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, attracting surfers, yogis and wellness aficionados from all over the world. With just a little over 4,000 full-time residents, this small paradise has cultivated its fame over the past several years and was granted the “Pueblo Mágico” label in September 2015.

The hippie-chic surf town is a cradle for countless yoga studios, art galleries, and gorgeous artsy boutiques and is a wellness haven for retreats and those in need of a recharge or a healthier lifestyle.

Surprisingly there aren’t any organic stores in town yet. You can find a few isolated products in some of the stores, but there is a lack of choice. Organic beauty products, for example, are nowhere to be found.

The clientèle is ideal. With a high purchasing power and a desire for a healthier lifestlyle, people here are definitely willing to invest in their well-being. And despite the laidback, bohemian atmosphere of the place, quality restaurants and expensive boutiques are flourishing all around town.

Real estate rates are increasing by the hour, with the place becoming more popular with time. However, there is definitely a gap in the market and a door wide open for someone willing to give this idea a try.

Lease Your Own B&B in the Eternal City—Rome, Italy

Millions of tourists visit the Italian capital, Rome, each year which means there is always demand for lodging. With prices ranging from $60 to $200 for a night in a B&B in a central location—and a short off-season—it is possible to earn a good living in Rome even if you have a small hospitality structure.

True, buying a property in the Eternal City requires a fortune (a large apartment in central Rome costs anything between $500,000 to $3 million). But there is a way to try your hand at running a small B&B without breaking the bank; you can take over an existing business.

These opportunities are normally advertised as vendita attività/licenze (business/license for sale). As well as a monthly rent you have to make a one-off payment for the existing customer base of an established hospitality operation.

The amount depends on the location, size, and turnover of the business. For instance, for a B&B (that can also be rented out on a self-catering basis) consisting of two apartments near the Vatican, the current owner wants $54,000, plus $2,600 monthly rent. For a B&B consisting of three apartments in the popular area of Trastevere, the one-off payment would be $45,000 on top of $2,300 per month.

To run these structures you have to sign a rental contract for a minimum of four years with a lease termination notice period of six months. Similar lodging-management options also exist in Florence. For more on earning in Italy, see Incomes Abroad, May 2015.

Primed for a Mexican Restaurant?

Dalat, the capital of Lam Dong province in Vietnam, has a beautiful mountainous backdrop, a perfect blend of old French colonial style, some Chinese influence, and rich Vietnamese culture. Located at 5,000 feet above sea level, it has a mild climate, and the cool, crisp air is very refreshing.

Backpackers and tourists are drawn to the city for its architecture, Pongour Waterfall, and Dalat Flower Park. The city has a wide selection of accommodation and food offerings for the visitors, but one that appears to be missing is a Mexican restaurant.

This might not seem surprising in an Asian city. But given the abundance of avocados grown here—at $1 for 2lbs—it seems to have just the right combination of fresh food supplies and hungry international tourists to justify serving up tasty guacamole with a Mexican menu.

For more on the demand for international food and beverages in Vietnam go to page 12.

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