I am interested in setting up a business in Medellin....any Suggestions????

vicshere says on Jan 5, 2007, 11:00:

first mistake dont hire family
hire people you can fire......you will be doing a lot if it

listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic

listo

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Malito71 says on Jan 5, 2007, 11:09:

Good point...thanks. But they are well aware... that I...no actually my wife will fire them in a heart beat.

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juancegomez says on Jan 5, 2007, 11:23:

Tinto I could definitely see the potential for it, although the prices would need to be competitive enough, given the wide availability of small operations offering some/most/all of those services (plenty of "fotocopiadoras" and the like).

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Boatygringo says on Jan 5, 2007, 11:28:

Business My suggestion is DONT DO. ITBoatygringo

Boatygringo

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aztec says on Jan 5, 2007, 11:34:

Tinto think you are right. We actually contemplated setting up one of my wife's nephews with some machines.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 5, 2007, 11:37:

Somebody I know has a little business like that in Cali, well, not that sophisticated, but he has a couple of fancy fotocopiadoras, a laminator, internet, fax, public phone, a fridge full of cold drinks and a small papeleria to go with it and there's not a lot of money in it. Rhe key word there would be LOCATION. There was a SISBEN consultory in front of his little business and a small commercial high school and he had to hire more people to take care of the long lines of customers forming up in front of his hole-in-the-wall. Then one day, the SISBEN was gone and he's barely surviving now. His daughter is selling telephone sex to make the ends meet.

Cheers,
Desi


"Soy el que siempreanda de noche en el vecindario, sé cuando ladra el perro, sé cuando canta el gallo sé cuando estan dormidos los muchachos de mi barrio..." (From the joropo "El pajarillo")

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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robi666 says on Jan 5, 2007, 12:06:

American wants to do business in Medellin... hard, very hard...
family working... impossible!
Rule number 1 in Colombia: don't mix business and family!
Do it and tell us when you're closed.
Your wife will fire them? Friend, trust me, you don't know what can happen here!

what we do in life... echoes in eternity.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 5, 2007, 12:13:

I don't know the current situation but there used to be plenty of language institutes in all major cities in Colombia. Thousands of people studied English after work and on Saturdays. I taught English at one time at an institute owned by a Canuck in Cali and there were at least 10 or 15 other small language schools operating at that time; the biggest was Colombo Americano which has expanded and opened a branch in the south of Cali too. So I don't know if the idea is new; it might've been that the market was saturated for a while and with the increase of violence and insecurity there was a shortage of both competent teachers and employment opportunities for bilingual people. It looks like the Internet/telephone cafes have replaced the language institutes as the most popular small business, at least in Cali.

Cheers,
Desi

"Soy el que siempreanda de noche en el vecindario, sé cuando ladra el perro, sé cuando canta el gallo sé cuando estan dormidos los muchachos de mi barrio..." (From the joropo "El pajarillo")

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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nine inch nails says on Jan 5, 2007, 12:24:

TRY AUTOCAD OPERATOR OR CONSULTING I just returned from Jaco CR and learned of guy living up in the hills there like a hillbilly whose does CAD work for a company out of St. Pete. They DHL him his work everyweek.

I'm trying to set something like that up for myself flying back to SOFLA for meetings, field surveys etc. Would like to keep my house in SOFLA for when I come back but it isn't all coming together jus yet.

Buena suerte a Ud.!

get down, get down. are you afraid of the boogie monster?

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Malito71 says on Jan 5, 2007, 12:43:

robi666....thanks for the words of encouragement...WOW Sounds like we should just say screw Colombia and never invest there. Everybody's situation is different. My wife isn't just off the boat. She has been in NY for 21 years and her relationship with her family would not be classified as a normal Colombian family relationship. anyway....

I was thinking about a nice restaurant or a nice store in El Tesoro.

All the ideas are appreciated. Thanks

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Wastelandlive says on Jan 5, 2007, 13:13:

I've been pondering this for some time... And I don't have a magic bullet.

But I do think that most of the posters here are either kids, or retirees... very few in the middle. And most of those are just chasing ass. So it's hard to have a serious conversation about this.

You want a bar or restaurant? Plenty do it... so we know it can be done. It's not rocket science. But it is VERY hard work. Plenty go under, too. And without a partner you can trust - about as common as meteorites in Colombia - you're tied to the cash box.

If you're counting on your wife to be that partner, then say goodbye to your marriage. You'll only work together, and you'll never get to play together... what kind of relationship is that?

You can't trust somebody from her family. (Word to the wise: you are WAY to blithe about that advice you are receiving on that subject.)

But hell... it could be done.

I'm personally ruminating on two subjects: 1) a likely free trade agreement, and what markets that might create and 2) the lag in information in Colombia, which could provide opporunity to somebody willing to fill the gap.

Wasteland

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panthdave says on Jan 5, 2007, 13:31:

Kinkos/Internet/Shipping/Paper Services Great I really think that idea is good..plus the upfront capital is not that much. Each trip bring some computers down..Get a T1 connection thru Telecom and the trick search for heavy traffic area that needs those kind of services. Contract out with DHL and Fedex for pickup and dropoff services. Lease out your equipment maybe at first with an option to buy not including the internet computers. Remember higher end neighberhoods will have internet in there houses. I know somebody who spends at least 100,000 in a internet cafe per month.. Stupid but hey what the hell take an advantage.

Panthdave
panthdave Miami

panthdave Miami

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Malito71 says on Jan 5, 2007, 13:43:

Thanks Panthdave. Thats what I'm looking for...ideas

Supply a demand and do it better then the next guy.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 5, 2007, 14:52:

One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting new businesses in Colombia is trying to start something that would go well in USA or Europe, but has not a Chinaman's chance to success in Colombia. You have to consider several things like what is that people want to do or want to have in Colombia which is not always the same as in your home country. A marketing study is a must.

My idea:
A bakery. Everybody eats bread. Bake pandebono, almohabanas, pande cacho but also pan integral, croissants, Italian, French, Multigrain, Whole Grain, Rye. Get a corner in the market with your healthy, nutritive breads. (Colombian bread in general suck)

Cheers,
Desi




"Soy el que siempreanda de noche en el vecindario, sé cuando ladra el perro, sé cuando canta el gallo sé cuando estan dormidos los muchachos de mi barrio..." (From the joropo "El pajarillo")

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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vladimiro says on Jan 5, 2007, 15:08:

Colombians Spend A LOT on Clothes Fashion and clothing is very important for Colombians of all ages. Go to Arturo Calle Clothing store in one of the malls and you can see people having animated conversations with the slales atendants about what shirt goes best with what pants.

I know two people that own clothing stores in Medellin and they seem to be doing well. One owner travels to Miami once a month and brings back suit cases full of clothes to sell in Medellin.

Many Colombians seem to think anything (even pills like aspirin) that is made in the US is somehow better than the Colombian equivelent.

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vladimiro says on Jan 5, 2007, 15:38:

Actually, I've been told that the generic Ibupofren I brought to Colombia from the US works much better than the Colombian brand Ibupofren :)

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robi666 says on Jan 5, 2007, 16:10:

Sorry Malito but that is just what I think...
Sorry but it looks like you have no clue.
Now you have a lot of people here giving you ideas. Why don't you ask them who actually has got a succesfull business in Colombia? Someone has got to say the true.
Now, if you're 200% convinced that you can do well... well just go for it.
Do you want to invest withouth big risk? Real estate. That's it.
After you live here 3 years full time, after being fluent in Spanish, then you can think about something different. But you have to be here to watch it.

what we do in life... echoes in eternity.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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robi666 says on Jan 5, 2007, 16:55:

Tesoro Now, you say that you are thinking about a nice restaurant or store in El Tesoro.
They just opened the second floor, some shops are still empty.
What are you going to do? Rent or buy?
Be ready to pay big BIG bucks. If you rent... well I would NEVER rent. Too much risk of loosing big money.
Store: I suspect that 80% of the shops in those rich malls loose money. Why are they there? Money laundering.
Restaurant: how are you going to characterize your restaurant? Are you hiring a famous chef from Italy or French? Are your wife family experienced in working in a restaurant (not comida rapida de la calle)? I don't know if you realized it, but you'll have big competition in a high end mall.
With a comida rapida in a barrio you'll surely loose less money if something go bad. On the other hand, it would give you the time to make an experience, try out your staff and get ready for the big move.
Probably, if you have the possibility to get nice hi tech stuff for a good price in USA, I would try a shop in El Diamante. Actually, hi tech offer is not good enough for a city as Medellin...
Of course, you need a detailed business plan (mission statement, market summary, opportunities, competition, skill assesment, financing plan, etc..). If you can write down a detailed business plan, you know Medellin market quite well. If you don't, save money.

what we do in life... echoes in eternity.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Janneman says on Jan 6, 2007, 07:20:

What about safety issues, in this interview :

http://www.escapeartist.com/efam16/Colombian_Expat.html

Peter the webmaster from this excellent website tells he keeps it low-profile in Medellin for not becoming a kidnap-target.

There is no date of the interview mentioned .. but it is after '99

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utopiacowboy says on Jan 6, 2007, 08:41:

Your wife's family probably has contacts with one of armed groups, the FARC, ELN or AUC. The AUC are usually not much interested in holding gringos for ransom but who knows, they may know some people who are interested. You set up a business to help gringos down there fresh off the plane, sex tourists, guys looking for wives, whatever. You make contact with them and then sell their sorry asses. You don't even have to do the actual kidnapping - there are guys who will do that for you. Of course if you're wildly successful, you'll eventually be out of business as the supply of gringos dries up. But you can take pride in knowing that you will have done a worthwhile service.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Malito71 says on Jan 6, 2007, 16:39:

Man oh man....you people are great...thanks. I'm outta here To all the people who didn't have a smart ass reply or an end of the world scenario a sincere Thanks.

To all the others that think I am some lost baby in the woods with no knowledge of: Colombia, my wife, the family of my wife, business sense, or business experience....your ignorance is...wellll....expected.

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robi666 says on Jan 6, 2007, 17:23:

Anyway, good luck!Sincerely Anyway, good luck!
Sincerely wish you the best. I didn't mean to put you down. Would say same things to my brother...

what we do in life... echoes in eternity.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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utopiacowboy says on Jan 6, 2007, 17:25:

I was absolutely serious about my response. I'd launch such a business myself but the area in which I would operate (Monteria) rarely sees a gringo anyway.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Malito71 says on Jan 6, 2007, 19:35:

Life is a like Vegas.... If you can't afford to lose....don't play. I have no intention of sinking a life savings into a business in Colombia. Like i suggested in my first post we will not be surviving on this business I just want to make a few pesos to pay for some incidentals...I am not dependent on it.

the kinkos idea is interesting....My brother in law already has something like that going...maybe I could partner with him and expand.

the clothing store idea is something I was considering. My wifes family own a few "sweat shops"/clothing factories so getting inventory would be easy and cheap.....

Thanks

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bufalo says on Jan 8, 2007, 05:11:

Can you list them? we've been thinking of a clothing store here in Armenia. we'd like to get design/price ideas. Contact me through the contact page if you can...

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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