BajaNomad

Starting a little business down there

Arthur - 4-19-2005 at 02:39 PM

In that fine post about MIke H's retirement, Bajudy mentioned starting a little business down there. I can see myself needing the same thing when the time comes (and it can't come too soon at this point) -- To stay busy, to keep a little money coming in, to have a positive effect on my surroundings. . . How hard is it to deal with the Mexican laws? What kind of stuff do people need that Mexicans can't provide? There's probably not a lot of paying work for wordsmiths like me, right?

A lot of questions, I realize, and I'm sure that there are a few books on the subject, but I'd sure like to hear a few Nomads' thoughts on any aspect of this idea.

Bruce R Leech - 4-19-2005 at 04:17 PM

you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it. if I can do it any one can. what are your expertise and talents and what do you want to do?also what area do you want to be in?

Paulina - 4-19-2005 at 07:45 PM

http://www.peoplesguide.com/1pages/retire/work/bil-maste/sta...

Hopefully this link to owning and operating your own business in Mexico will work. I found it very informative.

Dave - 4-19-2005 at 08:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulina

Hopefully this link to owning and operating your own business in Mexico will work. I found it very informative.


I found it flawed.

When you set up your corporation {and you have to operate as a corporation} you, as corporate owner, can write yourself a letter, in effect, hiring yourself to work in any or all capacity.

Also, it is important that your corporation spells out in exactly what business you wish to engage. If you want to repair lawnmowers then that's your corporate identity. When you set it up list many things and be as broad as possible. Otherwise you will have additional expense to amend or form new corporations. As your work permit only allows you to work for your corporation, you want the corporation to work at many things.;D

You will need a good attorney. I highly reccommend Baker/McKenzie in TJ.

Paulina - 4-19-2005 at 09:18 PM

Dave,
Is that right? Good news to our ears. An attorney is a must, and we will have one when the time comes.
Thank you for your input.

Bajabus - 4-20-2005 at 06:12 AM

Dave, La Migra must be a bit more liberal up north.

Down in La Paz, once you form your own corporation the only FM-3 lucrativa you can easily get is to be an administrador of the company.

If it was a carpentry shop let say, they would never give you an FM-3 Lucrativa to be a woodworker or cabinet maker since those jobs would be easily filled by local workers. The only way to get FM-3 lucrativos for trades is to prove a proficiency in that trade and show that there is a need for it that cannot be filled by a local....or that you have a unique talent.

Simply forming a corporation and broadly defining it's activities will not get you the coveted FM-3 lucrativo to engage in the actual hands on work of being an electrician or a carpenter, mason etc.

Bruce R Leech - 4-20-2005 at 06:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajabus
Dave, La Migra must be a bit more liberal up north.

Down in La Paz, once you form your own corporation the only FM-3 lucrativa you can easily get is to be an administrador of the company.

If it was a carpentry shop let say, they would never give you an FM-3 Lucrativa to be a woodworker or cabinet maker since those jobs would be easily filled by local workers. The only way to get FM-3 lucrativos for trades is to prove a proficiency in that trade and show that there is a need for it that cannot be filled by a local....or that you have a unique talent.

Simply forming a corporation and broadly defining it's activities will not get you the coveted FM-3 lucrativo to engage in the actual hands on work of being an electrician or a carpenter, mason etc.


Bajabus you were Misinformed on this. you can git a work permit do do almost anything within your cooperation. you must understand that they will always say no when you ask them. this is why it is important for you to be well informed before you make any requests or changes in any gov. agency.

yankeeirishman - 4-20-2005 at 07:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.


Good quote. I'll second the wise words.

Oso - 4-20-2005 at 08:28 AM

Arthur, if you're a "wordsmith" you might want to look into free-lancing for travel magazines or one of the English-language newspapers like The News in Mexico City. It's actually a bit easier to get papers for something like that (or get by without them). Teaching English is usually no problem. Of course it usually pays squat too.

Dave - 4-20-2005 at 08:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajabus
The only way to get FM-3 lucrativos for trades is to prove a proficiency in that trade and show that there is a need for it that cannot be filled by a local....or that you have a unique talent.


I show up for work on time.:biggrin:

osoflojo - 4-20-2005 at 11:03 AM

Aside from the direction this thread has taken re FM-3's, I agree that the way you write your Articles of Construction is very crutial and you dont need an Attorney. In most cases a good Contador(Accountant) will serve you just as well for less money and can keep you straight with all the filings, taxes, fiscales, permits etc that are associated with whatever buisness you are doing. When I had my buisness in Cabo Immigration was relativly cooperative with me because of the way my Articles of Construction were written. Good Luck................You may need all you can muster.

bajajudy - 4-20-2005 at 03:15 PM

We are not a corporation but we do have a good accountant.
I am on my way to Pyramid and dont have the time to elaborate...mas mas tardes

Arthur - 4-20-2005 at 03:36 PM

Sounds good. Any recommendations about a good accountant?

As far as earning a living by writing: Thanks for the ideas-- I'll beat the bushes, as a freelance writer must always do. Part of the job. But I ain't gonna tell about those canyons.

Arthur

Bruce R Leech - 4-20-2005 at 03:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Arthur
Sounds good. Any recommendations about a good accountant?

As far as earning a living by writing: Thanks for the ideas-- I'll beat the bushes, as a freelance writer must always do. Part of the job. But I ain't gonna tell about those canyons.

Arthur


you need to tell us where you will be so we can recommend people and give you better advice. things are different in different places in Baja.

Arthur - 4-21-2005 at 10:10 AM

You're right, Bruce, and I appreciate you asking those good questions (here and earlier). But for now I was just asking about the state of things in general -- not trying to find out where I could get a job right away. Before I get to that point I need to get the lay of the land a little better.

Arthur

Price - 4-21-2005 at 10:46 AM

Is there a problem selling art on e-bay - shipping to everywhere - thru the post office ? Is there fedex or ups service in San Felipe ?:?::?::?:

bajalou - 4-21-2005 at 11:52 AM

I've seen DHL do deliveries in San Felipe recently - years ago a place in town had a sign for UPS. The PO might take 3-4 weeks to get mail to USA.

:biggrin:

Arthur - 4-21-2005 at 11:55 AM

Now there's a way to make a peso or two: Organize some kind of grapevine that would get mail up across the border and dropped into a US mailbox. That kind of thing probably has to stay pretty personal to remain trustworthy, though.

Bruce R Leech - 4-21-2005 at 11:58 AM

We need a new Lades Bar in Mulege:lol:

the other one went belly up poor management I think

[Edited on 4-21-2005 by Bruce R Leech]

Bruce R Leech - 4-21-2005 at 12:00 PM

don't tell Edith I posted that:lol:

bajalou - 4-21-2005 at 12:09 PM

There are several mail services here that handle mail to and from Calexico. The problem sometimes is that there can be problems with customs bringing packages into Mex. Also in taking them into the US. Smuggling them into Mex. can get you car confiscated. Smuggling out can get you in jail. Handling of letters goes pretty good (different services, different effeciency) but packages are ify.

:biggrin: