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Starting over abroad - Joint venture?

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Adreamer
  2/15/2016 08:14 EST

Hello all.
I hope this is an appropriate place to post this sort of thing.

Background:
Finding myself alone for the first time in 30(-ish) years, I’m playing with the idea of starting life afresh, in a nicer climate. My preference will be to run my own business, and not seek employment with some ‘soulless major corporation’.
I’m 50+, and have worked in oil, IT, and (of late) hotel related businesses, as well as making a living as a consultant. I have worked as project manager, IT manager, IT support management, and I have also some experience as an entrepreneur.
My interests as diverse: Cooking, literature, travel, gaming, photography, technology, to name a few.
I’m able to fill many roles, some better that others, but there is strength in numbers, so I’m seeking 1-3 others who have been thinking along the same lines. The idea is to create a team (for lack of a better term) that will help and support each member, as well as cooperate on the business end of things. Helping each other deal with ‘culture shock’ is also a great reason to not go solo.
I have been mulling this over for a few months now but I’m keeping this post very general in nature, on purpose. Specifics such as location and business model will be worked out by the team, if this thing leaves the ground.
Goals:
• Move to a new country in 2016
• Set up a holding corporation, owned and managed by the team
• Short term: Set up a business that is able to support the team members at some minimum standard we define
• Mid term: Make the business profitable enough to expand into yet more businesses
• Long term: Being able to enjoy our new life. For some this means staying active in the business, for others it might mean
• Work hard – have fun – enjoy life – make friends

PM me if:
• You’re keen on this idea, and would like to form an informal (in the beginning) workshop
• You’re strongly considering relocating to another country, preferably in the southern part of the EU (Italy, France, Malta, etc)
• You have some funds to invest in this, as well as supporting yourself until a revenue stream is established
• If you have a family: They are 100% on board with the idea and are prepared to deal with lean times in the beginning.
• You would like to invest in one, or more, businesses managed jointly with others
• Although renting seems the prudent thing in the short term, buying property is your long term goal
• You are an absolutely honest person. Mistakes are ok, as long as we learn from them, but there can be no leniency where honesty is concerned.
• You are the sort of person that is prepared to work hard for little or no salary in the short term. You enjoy this type of challenge, and are both mentally and economically prepared for it.

Of course, there is no commitment at all at this stage, but I strongly encourage you to share your own thoughts on settling abroad and becoming self employed (in the context mentioned above). You should also say a few words about yourself and your current situation.

Cheers,
Tore

OldPro
  2/26/2016 12:06 EST

The majority of small businesses fail. Even more so when they are started in a foreign country. Even more so when they are joint ventures between strangers.

I don't mean to rain on your parade adreamer but I do think your idea is like betting against a stacked deck.

As someone who has lived in other coutries and met many others doing the same, I can honestly say to you that I can't think of any that I would enter into such a partnership with. Not because they weren't honest or good people but simply because I would see the chances of success as slim and none with the balance being weighed heavily towards the none side of the scale.

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Adreamer
  2/29/2016 09:23 EST

Thank you for your thoughts, OldPro.

All input is appreciated, especially from people with experience.

Yes, I know that small startups often fail in their first 4-5 years.

I have participated in a few, some that succeeded and some that failed. One thing they have in common is that I have no regrets about being a part of any of them. I did learn a lot, and enjoyed the experience in every case.

There are no certainties in life, but risk (of failure) can be evaluated and reduced with careful planning and research. Of course, one should never invest more than one can afford to lose, in case of total failure.

James4EU
  3/15/2016 07:11 EST

Hi, I have been to south of France, nice place. If you need help in finance, I can give you some free advise on health insurance/ investment etc.

Adreamer
  3/15/2016 09:52 EST

Hi James.

Thanks, for offering.

However, we're now focused mostly on the region around the Caribbean as the likely destination.

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