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Looking to move & set up a business & another question... (long post)

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SpeedPhreak

I am looking to move from the US.  Hopefully gain a 2nd citizenship as well... actually that is a primary concern.

For several reasons... a main one being I want my daughter to grow up as a well cultured & diverse individual & I think that living in more than 1 country, especially as a child,  is a major step in that goal.  I would like her to learn a 2nd & even 3rd language while she is young as well.

The Caribbean is the 1st choice for my girlfriend & a top choice for me as well.

Anyway...

I want to start at least 1 business.  It would need to be set up in a very tourist oriented area as that is where the majority of customers would be found.  The product works very well & requires a skilled person to produce.  I currently own & operate a retail business doing exactly the same thing.  I would however, be able to charge at least 50% more if I were in a heavy tourist area... making the average item about $25USD & the cost is currently about $1.50 each... I am able to produce a gross average of about $60USD per hour at current rates... I am hoping to be able to gross about $90-100/hr per person in the Caribbean during peak season.

This would be my primary business & depending on how busy it is would employee at least 1 local... possibly several... with pay being a flat rate for help & commission of 20 - 40% for skilled workers (I can train the right persons in about 2 weeks).

I am seeking help in ruling out competition, finding a location to operate from, setting up to conform to local regulations, & other formalities.  I will provide details via private communication.

Is there a noticeable tourist season & non tourist season?  Is it so severe that the "tourist" areas close in the off season... or is it just a slow down?  If it does close I would like to consider working as a bartender if the opportunity presented itself (I can flip bottles on fire & all that jazz).  My girlfriend is an event planner, so an area with a large hotel or somewhere she could start a Caribbean wedding service would be favorable.

The other business I am considering is a private investment company that would solicit clients from around the world.  I have a method that has taken me about 2 years to perfect & it has made a profit every month of between 2% & 34%... averaging about 14%, for over 6 months (I know it is not a very long run).  That is all on paper as I don't have the required money to open the type of account I need to trade live.  All US brokers want at least $25k on deposit to do what I want to do.  This is an idea in the "maybe" stage & I may or may not make a serious effort with it.  If I do I wouldn't start until after my other business is established & then I would wait for the off season to begin.

Anywhere in the Caribbean would be considered.  I notice a lot if not all of you here are in the DR, which is fine as long as the tourist conditions can be found & competition low to non existent.  Every time I search for competition I have a hard time finding any... so I am hopeful there isn't any.  I would like my daughter to attend local schools & would like an environment where a blond hair, blue eyed child will be safe (relatively speaking).  I won't need to live next door to my business but an easy commute would be nice.

Forgive me for being vague, as I know it makes it very difficult to offer me advice.  But the USA, well where I live anyway, is becoming saturated with competition; where just a few years ago there were maybe 7 in my entire state there are now 10 in my city alone.  I don't want to give anyone any ideas.

I would like as much help as I can get & am willing to pay a consultant fee for help that leads to a successful venture if requested.

I would like to leave as soon as this spring... but with in 2years at the longest.

The other question I mentioned is... my brother is under investigation of a felony crime in which he did not commit.  The evidence against him is good though & if he is convicted, will probably not do jail time but will be severely limited in his normal life for the rest of his life.  The crime is actually not even a crime in many parts of the world even if he did commit it & where it is a crime the punishment is rarely as severe.  I noticed in the DR FAQ that only German citizens need to present a police report from "home"... if I go to the DR would he be able to come too... w/out having to divulge this incident?  Again, sorry for the vagueness but it is a sensitive issue & he does not know I am speaking about it.  If you could advise to the best of your ability I would appreciate it.  He, actually we... are martial arts teachers & would consider opening a martial arts school as well if it is favorable.

Easy naturalization or even "economic" citizenships (for me, my g/f, & my brother) are a priority as well as favorable conditions to open mine & my g/f's businesses.  The only other condition that I would favor after everything else (although not a priority) would be somewhere I could bring my gun collection (mostly because I have a lot of time & money invested in it & would hate to sell it or put it in storage.. but will if necessary).

Thank you in advance,
SP

See also

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Gary

I guess Puerto is no option for you, unless the independatistas here get it their way, we're going to stay a colony (official:commonwealth) of the USA. :D

The tourist season here is somewhere from November to April. Mainly tourists form the USA. All big hotel chains have their hotels here.

Your daughter would be all right here if you are willing to pay for a private school. You and your folks would have the opportunity to learn Spanish, which is the main language here.

SpeedPhreak

PR was actually a consideration... still is depending on my brothers situations outcome.

Private school would definatley be chosen if the choice was between her safety & her "cultural" education.

Noe

Hi,
The Dominican Republic offers you many facilities to begin a business. The Dominican laws give many facilities to the foreign invesor to obtain the residence licence and then the citizenship.

In Dominican Republic the double nationality exists.
The weapon, I believe that this it would be a problem.

Noemy/FAQ

Gary

SpeedPhreak wrote:

PR was actually a consideration... still is depending on my brothers situations outcome.

Private school would definatley be chosen if the choice was between her safety & her "cultural" education.


It would be relatively easy for you to settle here. you don't even need a passport, just any photo ID will do. :)

If you still consider PR, let me know - I'd be glad to help.

SpeedPhreak

Gary - could you email me at speedphreak80@hotmail.com

Thanks

SpeedPhreak

Noe, Thanks for the reply... I would like more information about DR as well if you could.

I have been reading through the FAQ thread that you have posted in.  My main question about DR is regarding my brothers situation... that is of primary importance where ever I move.

Like I said, the gun collection is a want, not a need.  I have trusted family & friends that can watch over it here or I can sell it as needs dictate.

Feel free to email me as well... speedphreak80@hotmail.com

Noemy

Hi,
Is Noe, i wrote  you an e-mail yesterday.
My mail is noemy_marrero@yahoo.com.

mountainfrog

To people who want to relocate to this this country I always give the same advice:
Come and stay at least one year before investing any money in real estate and/or  putting up a business.
During that time you'll get the feel for the 'culture', learn how the knots are tied here, become beware of many pitfalls and make a much better decision where to set up your home.
Although this means that you'll have to live on your savings for some time the money is well spent and you'll not be tied down should you decide not to stay.
Good luck!

m'frog

SpeedPhreak

Thanks alot Frog... we are actually planning a trip to PR & DR in the next few months to check it out...  gotta love frequent flier miles :D & hotel points :D.

There are definatly pros & cons to both places (well anywhere in the world for that matter) & hopefully the trip will make it easier to decide.

Unfortunately I do not have the funds to live for a year with out working.  Fortunately my primary business is very portable & only need to worry about local regulations for the most part.

Noemy

Hi,
I want to know if you received the mail that i sent on august 30th.
Noemy.

SpeedPhreak

Noemy,

I got it & replied... a bit late.

did you get that one?

Noemy

I sent  you an email 3 or 4 days ago.
Best Regards,
Noemy.

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