With the dog days of summer well and truly over, and a chill in the air, the pumpkin spice is

out in full force. It’s in your lattes, your frappuccinos, and there’s a light dusting of it on your whipped cream for good measure.

These fancy concoctions are a far cry from coffee’s humble origins, but they’re a testament to the drink’s versatility and enduring popularity.

Experts believe we’ve been drinking the dark brew in some shape or form since as early as the 10th century. Over the next 700 years, coffee spread across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and eventually the Americas, on the backs of traders and armies…and was even scavenged from battlefields. Today it’s the most consumed beverage in the world, except for water. Every day, 2.25 billion cups of coffee are drunk worldwide. In the U.S. alone, half the population drinks coffee daily, on average three cups of the stuff.

Coffee’s prevalence has created a thriving worldwide industry, and there are ample opportunities to leverage that popularity to fund your life overseas. Whether you see yourself overseeing a few acres of coffee farm, or bringing the perfect cup of joe to a new

By Erica Mills

IncomesAbroad

INTERNATIONALLIVING’SOctober 2016

Volume 4, No. 8

FUND YOUR LIFE OVERSEAS

www.InternationalLiving.com

Fill San Miguel’s Wedding Niche See Opportunity Digest on page 17.

Also in This Issue…

Continued on page 12

GOOD LOCATIONS FOR...

COVER STORY

Continued on page 2 Continued on page 6

Self-Employment’s Lifelong Gift By Barbara Winter

Earn With a Coffee Business in the Tropics

U.S. Fitness Trends Flex Their Muscles in Costa RicaBy Jackie Minchillo

Page 3 Dinner parties and survival rations: earning adventures in Panama

Page 4 Launching a fast-food dynasty in perfect-climate Mexico

Page 10 How to score Italy’s self-employment visa

Page 11 The expert’s guide to traveling, shooting video, and getting paid

Page 14 If you can type, you can travel and earn at your leisure

Page 16 Keeping up with global opportunities

Terri and Glenn Jampol were able to leverage their coffee farm to

create an extra income with their coffee tours.

With great waves, golden-sand beaches, and year-round warm weather, Tamarindo is a major draw for

fitness-minded tourists and expats.

One day, as a plumber was working on the dishwasher in my apartment, we chatted about life and business. I was surprised to discover that this guy on his knees in my kitchen

was in fact an independently wealthy businessman.

He began by buying a run-down house, fixing it up, and selling it for a profit. Then he did it again—and again. Along the way he decided to learn about investing and put some of his profits into the stock market, where he made more money.

“I guess I could retire,” he said. “But why should I? I love driving around in my truck with all my tools.

In Tamarindo, healthy living takes center stage. This laidback surfer town on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast was once a sleepy little fishing village. But over the last 20 years it’s

become a hub for expats and tourists alike searching for an active and stress-free beach lifestyle.

The town itself sits on the northern end of the Nicoya Peninsula, which is a designated Blue Zone. That’s a geographical area where researchers have identified an unusually high concentration of folks over 100 years old.

This is likely due to the year-round warm weather, focus on family and community, and a diet full of the fresh fruit and vegetables available in abundance in the region.

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | October 20162

BARBARA WINTER

Self-Employments Lifelong Gift

Continued from page 1

October 2016 Volume 4 • Number 8

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

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.

And I get to learn new things all the time. You know that thing I just did to your dishwasher? I’ve never done that before.”

That little conversation got me thinking about one of the unseen benefits, and most glorious gifts, of self-employment: discovering the joy of lifelong learning.

Being your own boss, and owning a business, is an ongoing opportunity to grow and learn. Sometimes that learning simply enhances our skills or understanding. While other times it leads to ideas for new profit centers. Often it leads to both.

But it’s up to you. As a lifelong learner you get to design your own curriculum.

“In times of change, learners inherit the earth,” wrote philosopher Eric Hoffer. “While the unlearned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.”

Whatever your business is about, one of the best ways to ensure success is to make a commitment to your own lifelong learning and continuing research. Here are some ways to do just that.

Make learning a priority and schedule time for it. While just running a business can be a profound learning experiences, we need other points of view and outside information to grow to our fullest potential. Make time for acquiring that knowledge by reading regulary, attending seminars, and meeting with other self-employed folks who are further down the road.

Google is a handy research tool. But, when accuracy is needed, go beyond a quick internet search and seek out answers in books.

Consult your network. Almost every day someone who’s trying to track down

information or get ideas posts a question to their social media followers. Assuming that you are connecting with others who share your interests, this can be a valuable tool and a great way to become more involved with your network of contacts.

Learn from your mistakes. Many successful entrepreneurs tell stories about mistakes that taught them important lessons. Mistakes are part of the learning journey, but if we consider them signs of incompetence, they won’t help us succeed.

Orchestra conductor Benjamin Zander urges his musicians to throw their hands in the air and declare, “How fascinating!” if they play a wrong note. Treat mistakes as fascinating teachers and they will start helping, not harming, your ultimate success.

Learn from the best. Entrepreneur Jim Rohn was vocal in urging his audiences to seek learning from the best sources they can find. He said, “There are three ways one can go about learning from others. 1) Through published literature, such as books and audio or video tapes. 2) By listening to the wisdom and folly of others. 3) Through observations of winners and losers. So be a good observer.”

It’s far more effective to decide to find the best teachers you can and devour their experiences. Be aware of and avoid snake-oil salesmen.

Learn to edit. Editing is the process of sifting through large amounts of material and taking out the bad, the so-so, the mediocre, and the unimportant…and leaving in the best. Incidentally, being a good editor doesn’t just apply to information: it’s also a necessary skill for living your best life. Edit out the bad parts of your life and you’ll be left with only the best stuff.

Be generous in sharing what you’ve learned. Businessman Robert Allen earned his first fortune investing in real estate. He built a second empire sharing his successful system through seminars and books.

There are many ways to share what you know. Adopt a protégé. Or create a talk and deliver it to appropriate groups. Helping others has the bonus of enhancing our own learning. So keep paying it forward.

Put it to work. Yes, it’s fun to know things just for the sake of knowing them. But the truly brilliant users of information are always looking for ways to adapt what they’ve learned to improve their own performance. Doing your homework gives you confidence, but only if you use what you’ve learned. Try things out on a small scale. Assess. Tweak. Go on to the next experiment.

Make research a regular part of your business building and you’ll not only add to your confidence, you’ll discover what Irish novelist Oliver Goldsmith meant when he said, “There’s an unspeakable pleasure attending the life of a voluntary student.”

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | October 2016 3

OPPORTUNITY OVERSEAS

Dinner Parties and Survival Rations: Earning Adventures in Panama

By Larke Newell

Chris Young thought his parents were crazy when they told him they were leaving their Kansas City home

and moving to Panama. But it only took a short visit to the country to convince him otherwise. In fact, he liked it so much he moved there himself.

These days, Chris says that moving to Panama has changed his life. “I instantly fell in love with this country’s beauty and the wealth of opportunities here. Sometimes I miss the small conveniences, but here I’ve learned the true value of life and appreciate how blessed I am to be able to live here.”

Chris had been working in the States as a chef, but in 2010 he found himself in between jobs. He thought, “Why not pack my bags, head on down to Panama, and see what all the fuss was about?”

Shortly after relocating to the highland town of Boquete, Chris landed a position as executive chef in a local restaurant. Here, in this cool-weather retreat in Panama’s Chiriquí Province, he honed his skills.

“To this day I’m very thankful to the owner,” says Chris. “I was able to face some of the biggest challenges of my career, and it made me a better chef and a better person.”

While working in the restaurant, Chris was able to establish a large network of business contacts and develop a host of ideas for new income streams. He couldn’t believe the dozens of opportunities available to him in Panama, and he wasn’t shy about taking advantage of them. He’s recently just left his job to focus on his own endeavors.

One of his first enterprises was hosting private dinner parties in the Boquete area. Right now, he does approximately two dinner parties per month, where he creates a custom menu based on his customer’s preferences and budget.

“There’s a lot of work goes into each dinner: hiring staff, finding the best ingredients, and fine-tuning the menus to suit the clients,” says Chris. “Right now I’m still figuring out a fair price to charge. Boquete is full of people who are always looking for something exciting and new. But it’s a competitive market, so producing something that is unique but at the right price is key.”

The startup cost for all Chris’s business

ventures have been minimal. Overheads have been low and paying employees—to assist him in the kitchen or with his other projects—costs him about $20 per person, per day. He’s also found that buying fresh produce is incredibly inexpensive.

“Big, juicy pineapples are around $1 each,” says Chris. “Avocados are 50 cents, onions are 70 cents a pound, and organic heirloom tomatoes are $1 per pound.”

Even fresh fish is much more affordable in Boquete. From the back of the fish trucks it costs Chris about $5 for a pound of fresh corvina—a South American white fish used to make ceviche and other dishes. At the ports in nearby David, less than an hour’s drive by car, he can get the same for just $3.

Another avenue Chris is currently exploring is producing his own line of freeze-dried food. “Freeze-drying food is a fun process,” says Chris. “The machine drops the item to 40 degrees below 0 F, then pulls out all the moisture. It can be used to preserve food for regular use or for rations on camping or hiking trips. We freeze dry fruit and ice cream, which we sell to a store in Boquete called The Garden.”

All the projects Chris is working on came about in different ways. “Some were ideas that I’d come up with while working in the restaurant,” says Chris. “While others were opportunities that others had approached me with to start with them.” He particularly enjoys doing the cooking classes he’s set up.

“I’m working with a few teenagers who are interested in becoming chefs, so I have them help me out with the classes,” he says. “I’ve assisted a woman who is about to start a bakery and have helped housewives and others to hone their skills. I like to use local ingredients because many of the expats are not familiar with them. I only recently started these classes but have already had a great response.”

Chris says that one of the challenges of working with food in Panama is the time it takes to get approval for permits and licenses.

“Startup costs are minimal, but it can be time consuming obtaining the correct health cards to enable you to work with food,” says Chris. “You have to get your work permit, health clearance from both a doctor and a

dentist, and do an eight-hour class which includes a written test.” The class teaches you how to store food and what to do and not do in a kitchen. Locals and expats alike must go through these procedures in order to work with food. If you can’t read Spanish, you can take the test in pictures.

Chris is active in the community and enjoys volunteering his skills to help local charities and the less fortunate.

“I love that I can use food to make a difference in people’s lives,” says Chris. “Sometimes this means raising money at fancy dinner events for a special organization or cause. Other times it’s simply cooking a meal for underprivileged people.”

Currently, Chris is working with the local indigenous tribe, the Ngäbe-Buglé, to produce a range of kitchen aprons designed using their traditional techniques. “This project allows me to generate income for them while involving them in the process,” says Chris. When not cooking or volunteering, Chris enjoys golfing and going to the beach. Since moving to Panama, he’s had a whole host of adventures, including scuba diving with underwater archaeologists. He even had a brief part in a Russian film.

“My part only paid $20, but I have a super cool picture of me holding a fake AK-47,” says Chris. “That same day, I went through the Panama Canal on a private sailboat. My life in Panama has truly been an adventure and continues to be so. There are countless opportunities in this delightful country if you seek them out.”

Chef Chris Young capitalized on his restaurant experience to strike out on his own in Panama.

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | October 20164

BRICKS-AND-MORTAR BUSINESS

Launching a Fast-Food Dynasty in Perfect-Climate Mexico

By Suzan HaskinsContinued from page 1

It’s tough to find a place in the world with a better climate than here. You’ll hear that from nearly every expat

that lives in Mexico’s tranquil Lake Chapala region. Restaurant owner Trip Wilmot is no different.

In 2015, Trip opened Trip’s Burger in an open-air food court in Ajijic, a cosmopolitan town set on the north shore of Lake Chapala. Here his customers can enjoy their meals in daily temperatures between 50 F and 80 F, under bright-blue sky and sunshine.

Ajijic sits midway along a 20-mile stretch of the shoreline dotted with small, picturesque villages known collectively as “Lakeside,” home to a large population of foreign retirees, mostly from the U.S. and Canada. More than 10,000 live here full time—a number that doubles during the winter “snowbird” season.

The food court is part of the Plaza Centro Laguna shopping center in a high-traffic location where the libramiento highway hits the primary east-west carretera (highway) that runs along the lakeshore.

“There’s plenty of parking,” Trip says. “That was key. And we could design the space any way we wanted. Being in a food court we don’t have to maintain a dining area or bathrooms.”

factor here. A direct flight from Guadalajara to Los Angeles, for instance, takes little more than three hours (and it’s just two hours to Houston).

In his mid-40s then, and with a solid business background, Trip saw opportunity everywhere. But his first instinct wasn’t to open a restaurant.

“In 2012,” he says, “I founded Hollywood Bowls. We manufacture and have a rental fleet of super luxury mobile bathrooms.

“Being from L.A. and having attended large events there, and then doing the same in Guadalajara, I saw a need and a niche to be filled. You’d go to these huge, fancy events and women in high heels and guys in suits would be waiting to use these lackluster porta-potties. So I partnered with an expat engineer and we designed and manufactured 20 of these super luxury units.”

Hollywood Bowls was a successful venture. But, currently, Trip is in negotiations to sell the porta-potty business, in order to focus on Trip’s Burger.

“Trip’s Burger has been profitable from day one,” Trip says.

The restaurant is roughly patterned after the popular California-founded In-N-Out Burger chain, which has a simple menu.

Trip’s specializes in three basic items: hamburgers of various sizes, fries, and milkshakes (vanilla and chocolate). Everything is made fresh at the time the order is placed.

“We set out to make the best burgers, fries, and shakes. We have no plans to change our menu,” says Trip. “It’s the old adage: K.I.S.S.—keep it simple, stupid.

“Our focus is on quality, consistency, and cleanliness, and our restaurant appeals to all ranges of the socio-economic scale. Some people can afford to eat here often and, for others, it’s a once-a-month treat. It’s a proven model. I built this for the local Mexican market more than for the expat market. Just 20% of our guests are expats.”

Thanks to the high quality and freshness of the ingredients used, Trip says that they have no competition from the more mainstream fast food places.

With Ajijic as a proven test market, Trip is working with a group of investors—both Mexican and American—to expand the business into a chain of restaurants. “Our

With less red tape and low startup costs, Trip Wilmot’s restaurant was up and running in just five months.

The business has been profitable from day one.—Trip Wilmot

Trip’s love affair with this region all began during a business trip to the large city of Guadalajara, about 35 miles north of Lake Chapala, in 2006. Just three years later, he bought a house in one of the city’s historic neighborhoods, Colonia Americana.

Besides the great weather (daily temperatures range from 50 F and 80 F, with low humidity and little seasonal variation), Trip says there’s also a big convenience

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BRICKS-AND-MORTAR BUSINESS

goal is to open three new properties in Guadalajara in the next 18 months. Then we’ll see where we are. There are 4-million-plus customers in Guadalajara...so we think that represents very good opportunity for us.”

As he explains, the popularity of artisan foods has jumped dramatically in Guadalajara in recent years. “Young people are leading the way,” says Trip.

“Ours is a ‘stylized’ product... Our beef is never frozen; it’s 100% USDA Choice Black Angus Beef that we grind to our specifications. We make our own patties. Our potatoes are locally sourced, hand-peeled and hand cut, and go from farm to fryer in three days. Our tomatoes and onions are local as well.”

Today, Trip splits his time between Lakeside and a condo he owns in Guadalajara. “It’s the best of both worlds,” he says. “While I love the hustle and bustle of Guadalajara, Ajijic is peaceful...it’s beautiful...and you really get to slow down and enjoy life.”

At age 52, Trip says he’s not ready to slow down completely just yet. “As an entrepreneur, I really don’t look for time off. I have built a business that enables me to travel and have the downtime I would like. We are in the expansion phase and that, to me, is the most enjoyable part of any business.”

He’s just signed a contract to open a Trip’s Burger in Guadalajara’s Providencia neighborhood in a new mixed-use residential and retail plaza. The new

restaurant will be in between a Starbucks and a Soriana Súper (a fast-growing Mexican supermarket chain with a Whole Foods model). It will be four times the size of the Ajijic location, with both an indoor and outdoor dining area.

There are several advantages to being an American business owner in Mexico, Trip says. “The biggest difference is the low barriers of entry in Mexico. And the red tape is nothing compared to opening [a bar/restaurant] in Los Angeles. To open Trip’s Burger in the States, it would have cost me 10 times as much and there would be 10 times the competition.”

For instance, he says, “It took just five months from conception to opening our doors. And it cost a limited amount of capital...just $50,000 to get up and running. It would have cost at least $500,000 back in the States. That’s because here, we don’t have to deal with any stringent county board of health or building code requirements.”

Getting certain permits has also proved a much easier task in Mexico. “We do sell beer,” says Trip. “You have to in Mexico. It’s just part of the culture. Here, I got my liquor license in 24 hours and it cost me $200. In the U.S., it would have taken months to get and cost me 100 times as much—upwards of $20,000.”

But Trip says there are certain U.S. business customs that he sticks to his guns on, and it’s proven beneficial in setting Trip’s Burger apart from local competitors.

“Customer service leads our ideas, as well as the way we treat our team

To open a restaurant in the States, it would have cost me 10 times as much and there would be 10 times the competition.—Trip Wilmot

members,” says Trip. “We pay them a good living wage, provide health insurance, disability insurance, contribute to a savings plan, give them stock-sharing opportunities...

“My employees are my capital and I want them to care about the business as much as I do. We focus on training and on the basics of customer service. We never lose sight that the customer is king. We empower our employees to make decisions that enable them to better take care of our customers. We trust them to do what’s best for the business. In turn, that allows me to focus on branding and marketing. I know the business is in good hands, for instance, when I’m off to a restaurant expo in Mexico City or Monterrey.”

When starting business here, Trip advises you hire a Spanish-speaking attorney to deal with trademark issues, to legally structure the business, and so on. Use a law firm with an excellent reputation in business law, he suggests.

If there have been challenges, Trip says that they’ve mostly been about finding consistent suppliers. It took some trial and error to find the best potato supplier, for instance, and to find to find a bakery that could make buns of the desired texture and quality. And sometimes there can be border delays for the beef and cheese, which is imported from the States.

“But we’ve worked the kinks out,” Trip says, “and we’re prepared to handle any issues.”

Would he encourage others to explore business opportunities in Mexico?

“Absolutely,” says Trip. “My advice is to take your time and get to know the market. Then take the skills you’re good at and leverage them. This country is full of opportunities for those that have an entrepreneurial spirit.”

With the dollar stronger than it’s been against the peso in almost two decades, now is the time to consider opportunities in Mexico.

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A Bean-Driven Business in Coffee Country

Continued from page 1

community, there’s profit to be made from this valuable little bean.

Only in a band around the middle of the world, bounded by the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, will you find the tropical climate needed to grow coffee. In many of these places you’ll also discover a low cost of living and low overheads for setting up your business.

Lucy Farrell de Rios has a thriving coffee roasting business in the highland town of Boquete, Panama. Though she saw potential to do well, even she was stunned by how quickly things took off.

“We showed a profit from the very start, as soon as we opened,” she says of the coffee shop and roasting house she operates with her husband. “I was amazed.”

And Sasha Landis, a native of Washington, has seen success with his coffee shop in Los Barriles on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. He swapped stress and a live-to-work mentality for a more laidback lifestyle where he’s his own boss.

“Up north, it took all I had just to survive,” he says. “I could never have

done this in the States. Now, I am creating something that is gratifying on every level, and it provides a nice living for me.” His costs to run the business are low—his fixed expenses, outside of payroll, are $500 a month. That includes insurance, utilities, and repayment of the loan it took to get started.

These entrepreneurs are not alone. All around the tropics, enterprising expats are using coffee to finance a new life in sunny climes…and enjoying more spare time, greater freedom, and profit.

Coffee ShopsOne of the easiest ways to make a profit

with coffee—and for coffee lovers to enjoy a satisfying and fun endeavor—is to open your own coffee shop. That’s exactly what Daniel Ellsworth, 65, and Maria Wayas, 60, did in a small mountain town in Mexico.

Daniel left Michigan two decades ago. He didn’t like how things were going in the U.S. and felt that Mexico offered the lifestyle he was interested in.

“I’d lived in Mexico as a kid and realized that there was much more freedom here,” he says.

Now, 20 years on, he runs a small coffee shop called Café Rosario with his wife, Maria, in the picturesque colonial town of Comitán in the state of Chiapas. The two manage and run the café themselves, and that suits them just fine.

Because the couple don’t have employees, they save on payroll costs. They run the coffee shop from their own personal property, so no rent to pay. That keeps their total monthly business expenses low.

Sasha is in his 2nd year of business on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. This year he’s already surpassed his total profits from last year.

Up north, it took all I had just to survive. I could never have opened my coffee bar in the States.—Sasha Landis

How low? “Five hundred pesos,” says Daniel. That converts to about $27 dollars at today’s exchange rate.

They could potentially make more money than they currently are but keeping the operation small and intimate allows them greater freedom than if they scaled up. In fact, while Maria managed the business this summer, Daniel was able to take a cycling trip across Europe.

“Maybe someday, there will be a grandchild and he or she can expand, if they wish,” Daniel says. “There is certainly a much greater profit available if we were to expand marketing efforts. But we enjoy our lives just the way they are now.”

Meanwhile, Sasha Landis, 39, from Port Townsend in Washington, has his sights set on big profits. He’s in his second year of operating Caffe Encinalito in the beach town of Los Barriles, in the south of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.

“Los Barriles has a great, laidback vibe,” says Sasha. “Just what you would hope to find. Not too sleepy and without all

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COVER STORY

the crush and hustle found in larger tourist areas. But, before I arrived, they didn’t have a cool café serving superior coffee.”

That’s a niche Sasha was more than happy to fill. This original plan for his espresso-style coffee shop started with a pen and piece of paper. From there, he designed, built, and opened the espresso house of his dreams.

“Caffe Encinalito is modeled after a traditional espresso house like you would find in the Pacific Northwest,” says Sasha. “I’m really into the coffee house culture. As a musician, I wanted to include a performance space for live music. I enjoy performing when I can and schedule regular entertainment throughout the week. Our customers love the entertainment as well as our coffee.”

To get started, he took a loan from family. He made sure to invest in good-quality equipment as he values quality coffee.

“I have a hand-pulled, lever-operated espresso machine, and we bought a good roaster and efficient grinders. Our beans are also excellent, coming only from a small farm with tight controls on quality,” said Sasha.

Now in its second year, business is steady and growing, having already surpassed his first-year profits. Sasha’s working toward recovering his initial investment. He’s managed to keep his costs low, at fixed monthly costs of $500 (outside of payroll).

To attract customers Sasha offers free WiFi. To maximize profits he also offers small bites that complement a cup of coffee.

“We always have a selection of homemade granola, savory tarts, little dippers, and sweet treats,” he says. “Sometimes, coffee almost demands a good munchie.”

Sasha says that opening his espresso house in Los Barriles has allowed him to live exactly as he wants.

“I have a really nice life now,” he says. “It feels good to provide an atmosphere where people are happy and relaxed. Caffe Encinalito is a lot more than a place to buy coffee. It’s becoming exactly what I had hoped: a cultural and social base for the community where people can connect on many levels and, of course, drink great coffee.”

Grow Your OwnOpening your own café can be fulfilling

and profitable—but perhaps you’re more of an outdoor type. Someone who prefers to roll up your sleeves, put your hands in the soil, and spend your days out in the elements working the land. If so, then you’ll find there’s profit and personal fulfillment to be had in owning your own coffee farm.

Unlike opening a coffee shop, which you can do anywhere in the world, there are some limitations on where you can run a thriving coffee farm. Coffee needs particular altitudes and soil types to grow well. The ideal locations are in what the U.S. National

Coffee Association calls the “Bean Belt,” found in the equatorial zone and located between latitudes 25 degrees North and 30 degrees South.

That may sound like a small portion of the world. But, in reality, that gives you options in a wide range of locations. In Latin America, that includes parts of Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, and Guatemala. Farther afield, it also includes countries in Africa and Asia, like India, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

And, because of the altitude and climate required for optimum beans, there’s the added bonus that the location you choose is likely to have comfortable—warm but not too hot—weather year-round.

Jim Finnegan, who bought 1.2 acres of farmland in Panama’s highlands, says that coffee grows like roses there. He bought his farmland for $100 a square meter in 2002, though prices run about three times that now in the Boquete area. Jim had no prior experience with coffee farming and is delighted to say that last year was his best harvest ever.

Another expat who’s found her niche growing coffee is 34-year-old Lucy Farrell de Rios. Originally from Minneapolis, Lucy had traveled a lot in Panama thanks to her previous background in engineering. She worked for several years aboard boats providing marine energy system services.

We showed a profit from the very start, as soon as we opened.” —Lucy Farrell de Rios“I was able to travel a lot in Central

and South America through my work, and I visited Bocas del Toro and Boquete in 2011,” she says. “I kept coming back to Boquete, and ultimately it became my home.”

She came to growing and selling coffee through her marriage to Abel, a Panamanian man whose family had been in the business for generations.

The farm was already operational by the time Lucy became involved. But even though the family knew the business of

Lucy Farrell de Rios found demand for her home-roasted coffee in the cool-weather, expat haven of Boquete.

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farming inside and out—Abel’s mother can tell by smell alone where and when a batch of beans was grown and harvested—when it came to selling the beans, the family were less adept. Through her influence, they have been able to grow the farm into a major success.

“During the harvest season they sold their green coffee beans on a daily basis to whoever was buying,” says Lucy. “I saw a lot of potential to do more with the coffee business.”

First they had to bring the farm to full operating capacity and develop new sales avenues.

“At the farm there was all this old, unused equipment for processing the beans,” she says. “I suggested we roast some of the beans to try and sell them locally. We did, and it turned out the coffee sold really well.”

Without any prior experience in the coffee trade, Lucy began to identify new avenues and ways of selling and marketing. She had particular success with the local expat market in Boquete. “We started packaging our roasted coffee beans, Villa Estrella Coffee, by the pound. I took them to the Tuesday Morning Market [a popular weekly market] to sell,” says Lucy. “Before long we couldn’t keep up with demand.”

From there, things grew. A room opened up at the Boquete Community Players Theater and Event Center, and Lucy saw an opportunity to grow the business further.

She and Abel opened the La Villa Coffee Lounge and Roastery, which was profitable from the beginning. Now, they sell their coffee right from the store, which opens six days a week. They roast their own beans on site every Sunday in a 55-gallon drum specially converted into a roaster.

“None of this would have happened in the U.S.,” says Lucy. “If I’d stayed there I don’t know what I’d be doing. And I don’t know what might happen next. I have a very simple lifestyle, and I’m willing to work hard. I absolutely love my life here in Boquete, and I’m always open to the next adventure!”

Selling the beans you produce isn’t the only way to monetize a coffee farm. Another couple who have seen great success from growing their own coffee beans are Glenn and Teri Jampol. Like Lucy, the couple hadn’t planned to start a coffee business overseas. But, a trip three decades ago to Costa Rica put the wheels in motion for a major life change.

They first visited Costa Rica in 1985 with their daughter, Lily, then five months old. On their return, they raved about their experience to Glenn’s mother, Sylvia. She decided to take a trip to see it for herself and ended up buying some property in the coffee zone of Heredia, in the mountainous interior region called the Heredia. The land was in a beautiful setting, close to the Barva volcano cloud forest, which is the western gateway to the Braulio Carillo National Park.

The site would become the home of the Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation and Inn, which Teri and Glenn began to run full time with their children Olivia and Lily after Glenn’s mother passed away in 1993.

We have had a wonderful life surrounded by beauty and peace.” —Teri Jampol

It wasn’t something Glenn or Teri had experience in previously.

“We knew nothing about the hospitality business and had only big dreams, a love for the country and its wonderful people, and an adventurous spirit to guide us.”

But that hasn’t stopped them from devising a one-of-a-kind business model that’s seen them featured in Condé Nast Traveler and Fodor’s.

Being that they were in the heart of coffee country, the couple decided to combine both the eco-friendly boutique hotel experience with tours of their coffee farm, something which has earned them a reputation and set them apart from their competition.

“We have 35 acres which produces about 7,000 to 10,000 kilos of organic coffee per year,” says Glenn. “The tour of our shade-grown coffee farm is hands on.” Each walking tour lasts about two and a half hours, during which guests can check out the farm, which has more than 5,000 coffee trees. It’s certified organic and sustainable by both the Rain Forest Alliance and the National Institute of Coffee in Costa Rica. Guests on the tours get to experience the coffee-growing and -producing process from farm to cup.

“We do a cupping (coffee tasting) at the end so our guests can experience the art of tasting coffee and distinguishing different beans,” Glenn says.

Though this life was not something the Jampols ever expected, they wouldn’t change it for the world.

“Being part of a business that has seen three generations of the Jampol family

As the coffee bean only grows in a distinct equatorial climate, you’ll enjoy spectacular, warm weather year-round on your coffee farm.

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | October 2016 9

COVER STORY

He launched the artisanal coffee shop after spotting an unmet niche in the market. Though coffee is widely grown in Colombia—the country is the third-largest producer of coffee—Albert found that his options were limited for a good cup of java.

“I really just wanted to drink a variety of coffees, but no one was offering specialty coffee,” he says.

In fact, the quality he was used to was so bad that he had a moment of panic when he brewed his first cup in his new café. When he sipped it, it tasted so different to coffee, he wondered if he had done something wrong.

“I knew I had a good machine, and I was using filtered water,” says Albert. “But then I realized the problem wasn’t my coffee, it was everyone else’s. I had gotten used to drinking average coffee.”

He discovered the problem was widespread from the moment he first tried to source good-quality coffee in Medellín. An internet search for providers proved frustrating. There was simply not much availability in the market for great coffee—particularly single origin.

So, when it came time to open his coffee shop, he decided to cut out the middleman and began building relationships with local farmers to source high-quality local beans.

Now, Ubicuo sells a wide variety of single-origin, artisan coffee from small-scale growers. It allows him to forge strong relationships and to produce a

grow and change has been a wonderful experience,” Glenn says. “Our children who were schooled their whole lives in Costa Rica, have become amazing women, polylingual, and committed to conservation and peace.”

The hotel and coffee plantation isn’t just a 9-to-5 role for the Jampols; they give 100% to the business every day.

“We are in every sense of the word—because we love what we do—the owner-operators of Finca Rosa Blanca,” Glenn says. “I love to meet our clients, show them around if possible, and share our sustainable practices and our dream with them.

“We have had a wonderful life—not always easy—and are surrounded by beauty, peace, and a constant flow of wonderful, engaging, and interesting guests who have kept us optimistic and energetic.”

ExportWhile the large coffee brands dominate

the market with mass production and exports, there is a demand for smaller, locally-sourced coffee exports. And it’s a business that you, as a small operator, can get in on. While the U.S. is the largest importer of coffee, accounting for 23% of coffee imports, demand is also high in the European Union, which imports 44% of the world’s coffee. There are some rules and restrictions you’ll have to keep in mind, depending on your export avenue. (Some helpful guides from the U.S. government and another for the European Union can be found here and here.)

diverse selection of coffee. The growers he buys from used to sell to the large coffee cooperatives that would mix everyone’s beans together. Albert doesn’t mix his beans but offers single-origin instead.

“I never knew how much variation there can be in a cup of coffee,” he says. “Coffee grown on the same farm on the west side of the mountain tastes different than coffee grown on the east side of the mountain.

“All the other shops [in Medellín] have maybe three or four varieties of coffee. I have 35.”

Not content to keep his coffee for his customers in Medellín, Albert decided to share it with the world. Now a licensed coffee exporter, Ubicuo offers online purchasing of 12 different coffees, with three-day delivery to North America.

And between the coffee business and the export business, Albert is able to fund a comfortable lifestyle in Medellín based on what he makes.

“I earn the equivalent of $2,000 per month but in pesos.” With Colombia’s low cost of living, that’s more than enough to live well. The pleasure he gets from his business is priceless. “I used to sit in someone else’s coffee shop drinking average coffee,” he says. “I figured I might as well drink my own amazing coffee.”

In this business, drinking amazing coffee is just par for the course—and the ability to fund your new adventures overseas could be the cream on top.

Albert Crutcher sets himself apart from competitors in Medellín, with his range of locally sourced, single-origin coffee.

All the other shops [in Medellín] have maybe three or four varieties of coffee. I have 35.” —Albert Crutcher

One expat who’s found success in coffee exports is 50-year-old Albert Crutcher.

Originally from Crawford, Scotland, Albert now lives in Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city. He got his start in the coffee business through opening his own coffee shop, Ubicuo, in the trendy neighborhood of El Poblado.

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International Living’s Incomes Abroad | October 201610

SET-UP SOLUTIONS

How to Score Italy’s Self-Employment Visa

By Anna Lebedeva

Could you see yourself running a rustic B&B in Italy’s romantic southern countryside? Or traveling through its

time-burnished towns with a portable income, immersing yourself in its passionate food culture in your abundant free time? If so, then you need to know about Italy’s lavoro-autonomo (self-employment) visa. Obtaining a lavoro-autonomo visa is a straightforward process. You just need to be patient and allow yourself plenty of time.

To be eligible for this visa you must invest in an Italian company, earn as a freelance professional, or own a business that benefits Italy’s economy (anything associated with tourism, hospitality, or food should be eligible). You can establish a new enterprise, buy an existing company, or start a franchise. But you’ll need to make that decision before you apply for the visa and attach a business plan to your application.

nulla osta you will need:

• An application form

• A valid passport

• A bank statement

• Freelancers will need a signed contract from a company or companies that states that you will be working for them on a freelance basis and what kind of work you will be doing. You may be asked for additional

documents such as a birth certificate and proof of health insurance, depending on the Questura. The entry clearance will allow you to move to Italy where you can apply for the actual lavoro-autonomo visa.

If you are applying for your lavoro-autonomo visa from the U.S., be prepared to wait one to six months to allow for processing. You will be required to submit the following documents translated into Italian to the nearest Italian consulate within three months of receiving the nulla osta. Hiring an experienced English-speaking immigration consultant and business manager/tax advisor will help you to navigate through the process smoothly.

• An application form

• A valid passport

• A certificate of good conduct issued by the police department from your place of residence

• A rental agreement signed by the landlord

• Your flight reservation (if applying from the U.S.)You will have to demonstrate a copy of

your last tax return to prove that your income is higher than $9,400 a year. If you intend to set up a commercial or artisan business, you will need to request a letter from the Chamber of Commerce of the area where you will be based stating start-up capital is required. The amount of money required is never less than the annual minimum income, which is about $5,500, however, it may be higher depending on the type of business you are setting up.

For some professions—like doctors and lawyers—you will also be required to

submit documents proving your professional competency: university diplomas and letters from the companies you worked with confirming that you have sufficient experience in the field. For many other professions, although there might not be requirements to prove competency, documents demonstrating your experience will certainly add weight to your application. Italian bureaucrats love papers, so the more documents you submit the better.

Although it’s not always required, it’s important to have a solid business plan to demonstrate your full commitment. Show in detail the profitability potential of your future venture, and the number of jobs and opportunities you will create for the local economy. For example, if you are planning to open a guesthouse in a rural area, employing locals for casual jobs during peak summer seasons will certainly make your plan look attractive. Your main goal is to show that you are capable of supporting yourself and your family financially and will not compete with locals in the job market.

You have to renew your lavoro-autonomo visa every two years. You should apply at least 60 days before your current visa is up. Vicky Shelton, a California native, has lived here on the visa since 1991. She says she’s careful to make sure she has all the documents in order beforehand and even includes some extras to keep the local bureaucrats happy.

“They’ve asked me for a current balance sheet from my accountant even though this is not stated anywhere as a requirement,” says Vicky. “Now, since I know they are going to ask, I have my accountant prepare it beforehand, so I don’t have to make more trips than necessary.”

The income tax treaty between the U.S. and Italy means you can choose where to pay taxes to avoid double taxation.

With Italy’s lavoro-autonomo visa, you could own your dream B&B in Tuscany’s

rustic green countryside.

With your lavoro-autonomo visa you will be entitled to many benefits. You’ll have universal healthcare coverage like everyone else in Italy. Self-employed freelancers can attend university and pay tuition based on income. And if you pay into the Italian pension system (Americans citizens can choose to pay into the Italian system or American Social Security system), you will receive a pension when you retire. Maybe best of all, the income tax treaty between the U.S. and Italy means you can choose where to pay taxes to avoid double taxation.

To start the application process, you will need an entry clearance (nulla osta) issued by the Questura (main police station) in the city where you are planning to reside. To get your

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | October 2016 11

TRAVEL VIDEOGRAPHY

The Expert’s Guide to Traveling, Shooting Video, and Getting Paid

By Tom Reissmann

I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route. I’ve seen a pack of lions take down a wildebeest on safari in Tanzania.

I’ve sailed on the Ionian Sea off the coast of Italy and enjoyed VIP treatment in a luxury resort on the mythical Greek Island of Ithaca. And I was paid to do it all.

As a travel videographer, you’ll journey to exotic locations, experience dream vacations, and stay in five-star hotels…free of charge…in fact, you’ll be paid handsomely to do it. It’s quite nice to come home from your vacations with more money in your pocket than you left with.

Getting set up is easy and more affordable today than it’s ever been. These days, most digital cameras, smartphones, and tablets have high-quality video capabilities, and you can buy a good handheld video camera for about $400. The Canon 60D is a good starter model as it’s lightweight and takes great pictures. For editing you can use can use iMovie on a Mac and Windows Movie Maker on a PC. Both programs are free to download.

I was able to start my travel videography business with basic equipment and used to charge about $400 per video. Over the years I’ve built up my reputation and gradually increased my prices. Today, I can charge up to $4,000 per video.

The challenge of pursuing this kind of work is that nobody will be lining up to give you jobs—you have to hunt them down yourself. So it takes courage to get on the phone or send an email to contact as many companies as possible.

It’s a pure numbers game. If you contact 10 companies, usually three will be interested in what you have to offer. But maybe only one will actually hire you to film a video for them. So if you contact 30 companies you may very well have three contracts for your next trip to Costa Rica or Hawaii.

So which companies should you contact? The short answer is: tour companies, hotels, and resorts. Search for companies that aren’t too big. Large conglomerates like Expedia or Thomas Cook will only hire professional videographers through agencies. But others will be small and local enough that you can get the owner or the marketing director on the phone.

How do you find them? Simply use Google. Type in the location and style of vacation that you would like to pursue, and you’ll find all the companies that offer this kind of trip.

So why would they hire you, a complete novice in the area of travel videography?

Simple. You offer a great product at a much lower price than a professional production company. By following a few simple rules you’ll be able to produce a more professional video than your average tourist (see sidebar).

For marketing purposes, you should learn a few statistics about online video consumption to dazzle your clients. This way, you can easily let your prospective clients know that having a video on their website will provide them with more bookings. I have compiled some of the most compelling statistics for you here.

Once you’ve convinced a company that they need a video they’ll usually ask to see some of your previous work. For this reason, you should create a free video for a local business in your area to use as a demo tape.

This could be a restaurant, hotel, day-trip operator, or even a bakery or café. Creating a video for them free of charge will take the pressure off, and it will be great practice for a paid job.

What locations are ideal for this kind of work? Anywhere really. But the farther away you go, the more costs are involved in getting there.

So it’s easier to start a little closer to home. If you’re keen on traveling farther afield, then you should aim for two to three different contracts and price the flight into your services, so you don’t have to ask one company to pay for flights, accommodations, rental car, and so on.

If the total cost your trip is $1,000, and you charge $500 per video, you’ll have recovered your costs with two videos. Any commissions after that are all profit.

As your reputation and portfolio of work grow you can comfortably charge more for your services. You can also charge more for extras—like using a drone or doing voice overs—if you invest in the equipment needed.

I’m so glad I discovered travel videography when I did. I’ve seen some incredible places and met so many wonderful people. It’s such a fulfilling and enjoyable way to earn an income that it never feels like work.

Use a tripod to steady your digital camera, smartphone, or camcorder. Shaky images are the hallmark of a poor videographer. The easiest way to look more professional is to use a tripod and create stable images, with smooth pans and tilts.

Film intimate close-ups and portrait shots of people. Most videographers will take plenty of wide shots when they’re starting out but not many portrait and close-up shots. These add texture and detail to your video and create an emotional connection to your audience.

Make short, snappy videos that are no longer than two minutes. In the age of the internet, people are flooded with a constant stream of information. To compete in this space, you need to get your main message across as quickly as possible. Two minutes is the average length that people will stick with for a video on YouTube.

Use fast edits and dazzle with lots of beautiful shots. If you linger on images for too long, you’re in danger of putting your audience to sleep. Instead, you want to keep things moving and impress them with the multitude of things to see and do in your destination video. This will get people really excited about where they are going.

Reiterate the video’s central messages with captions. Reading text will help people identify and remember the main message of your video. This is particularly important in today’s over-saturated media environment.

5 Tips for Making Videos That Sell

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | October 201612

GOOD LOCATION FOR…

U.S. Fitness Trends Flex Their Muscles in Costa Rica

Continued from page 1

In the last 10 years, the expat community has grown from a handful of pioneering souls to an estimated 400, full and part time. Costa Rica receives over 1.7 million tourists per year and, as one of the country’s premier surf destinations, Tamarindo sees more than its fair share of that number. In the high season, the town’s population swells, as tourists and “snowbirds” flock to its shores and the surrounding area.

The town typically attracts younger tourists and expats who like to keep in shape. It’s an attitude shared by many of the retirees in town as well. With the beach right on their doorstep, everybody wants to look their best in a swimsuit.

Tamarindo is just now starting to attract larger developments—such as the Tamarindo Mall project in the center of the town, as well as a North American-style shopping center just outside of town—signaling the next stage in the town’s growth.

The time is ripe to fill a gap with a fitness business...

the goal is to work together to support our athletes.”

Unlike a franchise, Samantha and Nick don’t pay dividends or percentages to CrosssFit. It’s a flat rate of $3,000 a year to use the CrossFit brand and advertise as a CrossFit gym.

“To apply to be an affiliate you’ll have to give them all the information about your location and business plans,” says Nick. “They also verify you have been certified as at least a level one CrossFit coach. Once they’re happy, you get approval and you pay the fee and that’s it. It’s relatively simple.”

“The unique benefit of a tourist town like Tamarindo, especially for CrossFit, is that once people have a routine they want to maintain it even when they go on vacation,” says Nick.

“So we have the chance to reach not just the local market but the people who are passing through for shorter periods of time. CrossFitters can go on the main website and see where affiliate locations are. Some, who are dedicated to their workout schedule, choose one vacation destination over another, simply because there is a CrossFit gym available.”

Pacific Wave CrossFit opened in July of this year. Samantha and Nick have already signed on 25 monthly members and trained

many tourists who passed through. Some come for just one class, while others buy weekly passes for the duration of their stay in Tamarindo.

“We had people in the 7 a.m. class the day we opened,” says Samantha. “We’ve worked out that a solid base for us would be about 40 to 50 year-round members. After just under three months we’re already halfway to that goal, so it’s a great sign for us.”

Robin Berger moved to Tamarindo in 2013 with the express intention of opening a studio for yoga barre, which is a workout method known for fusing yoga, Pilates, dance, and aerobics, all centered around the use of a ballet barre.

“From the moment I landed I knew there was something special about this place,” says Robin.

“There were yoga studios here but none that provided the type of atmosphere I was seeking for my own daily practice. I wanted to create a place where people could find a variety of classes and specialties.”

Robin spent the better part of a year developing a brand and creating the space with the help of her husband. “The space we found was too big for just a studio, so that’s where the idea for the boutique was born,” Robin said. “The boutique allows us

Nick Taylor (left) and Samantha Morey took advantage of a gap in the market and launched a CrossFit business in the beach town of Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

We had people in the 7 a.m. class the day we opened. —Samantha Morey

Samantha Morey and Nick Taylor made the move to Tamarindo earlier this year, with an eye to opening a CrossFit gym.

“We traveled all over Costa Rica, and Tamarindo was our favorite beach town for sure,” says Nick.

“We knew there was already a CrossFit following in Costa Rica—there are something like 36 CrossFit gyms in and around San José, the capital—but it hadn’t quite made it to the beaches yet, so we saw an opportunity there.”

“CrossFit is a community that has exploded all over the world,” says Samantha. “We’re part of an affiliate network of more than 11,000 gyms, and

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | October 2016 13

GOOD LOCATION FOR…

we offer packages to locals at discounted prices,” she said. “We want them to know we appreciate them. It’s their business that carries us through the slower times.”

Nick and Samantha note that they had to adjust their business plan to adapt to Tamarindo’s small-town vibe.

“CrossFit gyms are usually large and industrial. People usually build them in big warehouses,” says Nick. “But when you come to Tamarindo, you won’t find warehouses or large enough spaces suited for a typical CrossFit. So we definitely had to tweak our business model to fit that.”

“When we were scouting real estate, we opted for a prime location in the center of town. Anyone can walk or bike to us, and we’ve adjusted the model to fit the space. It’s worked out well, because it also allows us to spend a lot of one-on-one time with each of our athletes and provide a higher level of personalized training.”

Nick says the greatest challenge for starting a gym-style business in Tamarindo was sourcing the fitness equipment. “Most of our specialized CrossFit equipment needed to be imported, and that’s where a good chunk of unexpected startup costs came,” explained Nick. “Most times you don’t really know what your import cost will be until the goods reach the dock. So the first key is finding a good import agent with experience, and I would say second is make sure you have some flexibility in your budget.”

Nick and Samantha ended up paying

about 45% of the value of their equipment in import fees and taxes.

Robin says bicycle spin classes and Pilates are two niche opportunities that are currently underserviced in the town and could present an opportunity for someone looking to start a health-focused business.

From the moment I landed, I knew there was something special about this place.—Robin Berger

to offer the proper equipment our customers are looking for, as well as fitness wear from well-known yoga brands. A lot of our inventory consists of stuff people wouldn’t necessarily expect to be able to find in a Costa Rican beach town.”

Robin says the single most important thing to success in this sector is finding good staff and instructors. “You need to vet people’s qualifications, take sample classes from them, and spend time getting to know them. Make sure they’ll be a good fit for the atmosphere you’re trying to create. We’ve put a lot of effort into finding qualified instructors, who are certified in their areas of expertise and can offer people highly targeted workouts.”

Just over two years after opening, Robin says she’s happy to see a following among both locals and tourists as the demand for health and fitness businesses continues to grow in Tamarindo.

“For most expats starting a business in Tamarindo, high and low season is a new concept,” says Robin. “In general, I’d say there are about eight months that are high and four that are low. December and January are always the busiest months for tourists and the biggest opportunity to make money. While some years there will be no one passing through in September and October. So it’s important to consider this dynamic.”

In order to work within the dynamic, Robin says she’s learned to show local expats how valued they are. “It’s important to have a base of customers who live here, and so during low season for example,

“We offer some mat Pilates, but people who are devoted to practicing Pilates could really benefit from a dedicated studio where they can find one-on-one training and the proper equipment,” she explains. “Same thing with spinning. There’s a huge following for these intense, upbeat workouts, so I could see a spin studio doing well. There are a lot of families here, and I’d also love to see more options geared towards kids. I’m personally thinking about introducing a ‘Mommy & Me’ yoga offering.”

She’s also noticed a growing need for nutrition-based services to supplement fitness. A shop dedicated to food and supplements for athletes would be a welcome addition to the town, she says.

“Things like seeds and nuts, dietary supplements, shakes, and raw and organic products,” explains Robin. “You can find some things here and there at the local feria (outdoor weekly market), for instance. But if someone was able to source a variety of high-quality products, I could see something like that doing very well in town.”

“Like with any business, there’s going to be a period of trial and error—even if someone has owned a fitness studio before, there are things that will need to be tweaked to fit the Tamarindo market,” says Robin. “But I absolutely love it here and I wouldn’t want to be building this business anywhere else. I’m really proud of the community and Tamarindo’s next generation too, for wanting to be healthy and better themselves.”

Spend some time getting to know your desired market in person. Visit the place you plan to open your gym. Scope out the area and the size of the population. Where is your target demographic based? How many expats live in the area? Do any tourists pass through? You should alter the size of your classes and adapt your business plan based on these factors.

Staff smart. If you’re planning on hiring outside help, be vigilant in your interview process. Take sample classes with them, ask for several references, observe them teaching some classes, ask to see their certifications, and make sure they’re also certified in first aid. Your credibility will depend on your staff’s professionalism and ability to prevent injury.

Source materials and supplies ahead of time. Basic fitness equipment such as medicine balls or hand weights can generally be found in San José, Costa Rica. But if you need highly specialized equipment and supplies for your gym, you may have to import them. Network with other gym owners and try to find people who have imported similar items to establish an estimated cost.

Hire a good lawyer with experience in obtaining business permits. The process of obtaining the necessary permits to open your business can be a bit daunting. Try to network with people already in business to gather recommendations for good lawyers. Having someone who is well-versed in establishing businesses in Costa Rica will make getting permits a lot smoother.

Top 4 Tips for Opening a Gym in Costa Rica

International Living’s Incomes Abroad | October 201614

TRANSCRIBING

If You Can Type, You Can Travel and Earn at Your Leisure

By Danielle Ditzian

There I was in Mexico, where I’d always dreamed of living. My new home: the small surf town of Sayulita,

north of Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific coast. I was drawn to Mexico by the easy-going, low-cost lifestyle, and the strong sense of community in Latino cultures. But—without Mexico’s work visa—I quickly realized that finding work would be more difficult than I thought. I found myself in need of an income.

That’s when it hit me. Years ago, I had worked in a law firm, where I was in charge of all of the transcribing. Transcribing is relatively simple: listen to an audio file through headphones—in this case, it was voice memos recorded by a lawyer—and type them out.

It occurred to me that there had to be people doing this kind of work online. All kinds of people use transcribers. Journalists often record interviews, but simply don’t have the time to type them out. PhD and Masters students record interviews for their theses. Folks use transcribers for webinars, conferences, and even television shows. With this idea in mind, I started scouring the internet.

In my old job, I had special transcription equipment, but you only need a laptop, a halfway decent internet connection to download audio files, and basic headphones—I use simple earbuds now. Luckily I had all the equipment I needed with me.

Four years ago, determined to no longer suffer through the freezing-cold Edmonton winters, I had hit the road with just a backpack, a laptop, and the clothes on my back. I spent some time in Australia and New Zealand. But after traveling for a year, the allure of Mexico called me back to the Americas. And now transcription had given me a way to support myself anywhere in the world.

To find transcription work, I mostly use Upwork, a freelancing website for all sorts of jobs. To find work, it’s important to fill out your profile, highlighting any experience you have. When you’re starting out, it’s enough to let your prospective clients know that you have excellent spelling and

grammar, or that you type fast. To land your first job, you may need to accept lower pay. This is simply so that you can complete a job and get a positive reference. From then on, scoring jobs at a fair price is far easier.

I typically earn between $45 and $90 per audio hour transcribing. On my first project on Upwork I did it for $10 per audio hour just to get a review.

The drawback of Upwork is that it’s competitive, and they take a percentage of your earnings (between 5% and 20% depending on the job). Still, it’s not a bad place to start out and to begin building lasting relationships with potential repeat clients.

The other way to find jobs is to work directly with a transcription company, which pays a higher wage. To break into that market, I sat down for a couple of hours, researched all the online transcription companies I could, and sent them my cover letter and resume. While only two companies replied, the pay was more competitive. All I needed was a couple of consistent clients to earn enough to pay for a simple lifestyle and plenty of travel.

When I first started transcribing—both through Upwork and private transcribing companies—I had to do a few test files to prove that I could do the job. To ensure that you’re not being taken advantage of, be sure the test files you’re transcribing are no longer than 10 minutes long. Take your time on these test files; review them for punctuation, grammar, and spelling. The client doesn’t care how long it takes you to review these test tapes. Take your time to get it right and the doors will open for future transcription jobs.

As a transcriber, your pay is directly related to how fast you type. Transcription jobs are paid by the audio hour (the length of the audio file), rather than by the hour worked. The time spent on a transcript is influenced by the audio quality, background

noise, the accent of the speaker, and the speed at which people speak.

The average transcriber (who types between 75 and 100 words per minute) will complete one audio hour in four hours worked. I typically complete about one audio hour per day, six days a week, and make about $1,080 per month—sometimes more.

I’m not living a life of luxury, but it’s more than enough to fund my travels. I tend to avoid tourist traps and buy my food at the supermarket. And in many of the overseas countries I travel through, the cost of living is so low, that my dollars go a lot further. So, for me, $1,080 works just fine—plus, I love those four-hour work days.

You can easily earn more money transcribing by taking on more clients, and working more hours per day. As an online transcriber, I’ve sailed down the Amazon…camped under the midnight sun in Iceland…and lived in a hut in Laos. I can easily tailor the amount of time I spend working to the country I am in.

Transcribing is the ideal earn-anymore income, allowing you to travel the world. You can dictate your own hours—working only as much as you need and spending the rest of your time on the beach or exploring new and exciting cultures. And all you need is a laptop, an internet connection, and a pair of headphones.

With transcribing, Danielle Ditzian has complete control over her hours. She only works as much as she needs to fund

her life of travel and adventure.

Get Paid to Write from Anywhere in the WorldLet’s face it: No matter how affordable

some destinations are, you can’t live anywhere for free. But what if you had a job that went with you? A job that could give you the freedom you need to just pick up and go... wherever and whenever you want?

It’s the life of a copywriter. And as long as you have an internet connection, where you work is completely up to you...

You could spend half the year in your own cottage on the beach... work in the mornings and snorkel and relax in the afternoons . Maybe spend the other half of the year up in the mountains where it’s cool. You could travel whenever the urge strikes...rent a place in Paris or Buenos Aires for a month or two of vacation. Or head back home to see family and friends.

All the while, you’d be in complete control of your life and your schedule...earning $30,000 $45,000, $80,000... even six figures or more a year if that’s your goal...

AWAI has been helping people fund their dreams of living overseas since 1997 by teaching them how to write copy, and run a successful copywriting business from anywhere in the world they choose to be.

If you’re ready to stop dreaming about living overseas-and make this the year you make it happen-then go here now...

Learn how copywriting can get you to your dream life faster.

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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 | October 201616

CLASSIFIEDS Your guide to money-making opportunities worldwide

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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.

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.

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EDUCATION

Tuscany/UmbriaSeeking 2 more partners for gorgeous hilltop

villa. Reduced to 60,000 euros/ share. For details and video:

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This secret hideaway awaits you in a beautifully appointed apartment in Menerbes. The apartment faces the Luberon and has a lovely view of the mountains from the terrace. This 2-bedroom apartment is ideal for those who want to get a feel for Provencal life. Located in the heart of the village it’s ideally situated to immerse yourself in the daily rhythm of Provencal village life. While being centrally located, the apartment also offers a private terrace from which to enjoy the spectacular sunset of the Luberon. For more information check out www.VRBO.com/489321.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

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International Living’s Incomes Abroad | October 2016 17

OPPORTUNITY DIGEST

Large, Low-Rent Italian Properties Available to Entrepreneurs

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a hotel in the Italian countryside, then now’s your chance. The Italian government is offering modest rent packages on 30 large, recently restored properties throughout the country.

Dispersed at regular intervals on old Italian state roads—about every 30 miles or so—are picturesque, terracotta-colored buildings. These are the case cantoniere, large and spacious homes built by the Italian government in the 1930s for the families of workers who maintained the roads. The government has recently announced that, in the interest of bringing those historic houses back to life, it will rent some of them to entrepreneurs, Italian or expat, who have business ideas. The annual rent will be $20,000 to $25,000.

The locations are attractive, with hotel-sized properties in popular tourist areas like Cortina D’Ampezza and La Thuile in the Italian Alps, and San Vincenzo and Rapolano Terme in Tuscany. All 30 properties can be viewed here.

The government is particularly interested in business plans to convert these buildings into hotels, bars, restaurants, and tourist-information points but are open to different ideas as long as they attract tourists. You can find out more and contact those involved for more information on the project’s website.

Make Extra Cash With the Click of a Mouse

Looking for an easy way to pick up a bit of pocket money for the weekend? You can earn extra cash in your spare time performing simple tasks online on Clickworker. You don’t need any special skills. Just a laptop, tablet, or smart phone.

Clickworker’s “microjobs” are short tasks that take between a few seconds and a minute, and pay a few cents per task. For example, you may be asked to judge whether search results from a query are better on Google versus Bing, or assess whether a webpage is appropriate to a given search word.

Tasks tend to pay between one and 15 cents. One roving expat we know found a microjob paid 7 cents per task, just to check emails for commitments the emailer user needed to respond to. The job was so fast and easy that she averaged $10 per hour. In fact, she was able to make $100 in just two days of working on microjobs.

The site pays via PayPal—and the minimum transfer the site will make is $10. The tasks are varied—with jobs that involve text creation, editing, web research, and data tagging—so there’s something for everyone. While you won’t make a living off of micro tasks, it’s a great way to add a bit of extra income. Find out more.

A Turnkey Pizza Business with a Side Income in a Caribbean Paradise

Dozing in the shade of a coconut tree, you cast a lazy eye over the pristine, white-sand beach at your feet and the crystal clear, turquoise waters beyond. You spot some brown pelicans on the horizon diving for fish, while frothy waves crash against the barrier reef a short distance from shore. Lying there, toes in the sand, it’s easy to see why Belize’s Ambergris Caye is so popular with expats and tourists alike. Its spectacular natural beauty makes it an idyllic spot for scuba divers, anglers, snorkelers, and anyone who enjoys the Caribbean-island lifestyle.

Right now, there’s an opportunity to own a well-established pizzeria here, along with an adjacent residential property. Pepperoni’s is well located on Coconut Drive, close to the town center and right across the street from the beach. Nearby resorts provide a regular source of business, and there is a history of high reviews on TripAdvisor, which can make or break a business in this digital age.

International Living Belize Correspondent Ann Kuffner says Pepperoni’s is the best, most-established pizzeria on Ambergris Caye. “The location is great, with plenty of traffic and resorts nearby. The business includes a condo-style building with two units. It’s the perfect business for someone who wants to live on site, run the business, and rent out the second apartment for additional income. With increasing real estate prices in Ambergris Caye, the asking price is good value. Most condo units on the island now sell for over $300,000.”

The owner is offering the pizza business and the home for $799,000 but most prices are generally negotiable in Belize. Everyone lists their property at their wish list price, then waits to see what kind of offers they will get.

Find out more.

Fill San Miguel’s Wedding Niche

Recently, Roving Latin America Editor Jason Holland was exploring Mexico’s Colonial Highlands and struck upon an interesting opportunity. In the charming colonial town of San Miguel de Allende he picked up on a trend that spells opportunity for photographers, caterers, event planners, and more.

“I was in a hip rooftop bar having an after-dinner mescal,” says Jason, “when the bartender politely told me I had to settle up. It was only 8 p.m., but, he explained, the whole place had been rented out for a wedding party. As I left and walked a few blocks, another surprise. Musicians in matching purple outfits playing fast-paced polka-like rhythms while a group of well-dressed folks danced in the street with abandon. Another wedding party.”

After asking around, Jason discovered that the expat hub of San Miguel de Allende has become the destination-wedding capital of Mexico for well-off families from Mexico City and other big cities. It’s not surprising given San Miguel’s perfectly preserved colonial setting, lots of restaurants and entertainment spots, wedding and reception venues, plenty of hotels for all price ranges, and drop dead gorgeous backgrounds for wedding photos.

Currently the market in San Miguel is focused on Mexican weddings but the same advantages it offers locals make it ideal for North American and European couples and their families, many of whom are already familiar with San Miguel due to its popularity as a tourist spot and designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You could offer wedding planning in English, or related services like photography and catering to foreign couples.

Market on social media and advertise on wedding websites and print magazines—Instagram is huge with brides. Your goal is to grab the attention of couples who want a distinctive destination wedding away from the Mexico’s beaches, which are already a popular option for North American destination weddings.