I can't speak to the "official" job market nor technicalities of a citizen returning and opening a business...but can offer ideas about what's needed here.

Small, entrepreneurial businesses like you're considering are the way to go--more flexible, creative and adaptive to market changes. Too many, however, are started by people without the perseverance to work hard, work smart and invest long hours yet especially without a true 'marketing" mentality. Customer attraction activities and follow-through are notable absences in the Portuguese market.

After living in Cascais year-round for 2 years, what we've noticed as "holes" in the business environment include: Sandwich shops, like delis or 'Subway' style, where one can select ingredients and get a customized sandwich; mini-tours, customized for 1/2 days or a few hours to do things like take photos, pull together an itinerary for a trip to Sintra or Guincho beaches, or to Lisbon for the day; Conversational Portuguese language groups for those living here--there are standard and expensive language courses but most of all many English speakers want to be more fluent in conversational Portuguese, and a few of us are thinking of starting an informal "wine and chat" evening; Portuguese Cooking: at your home or theirs, to involve a small group in cooking and consuming a traditional Portuguese meal; Child play groups...we see a lot of people asking about play groups or day care that might take the kids off the parents' hands while giving them an adventure or amusing time; Anything that seems like a locally-created craft.

What are your interests and passions? I might know of others with whom you'd want to connect.

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Thank you Craig and Micki. All great ideas! My background is in Asset Risk Management (domestic & international) for large high tech companies in the Silicon Valley. I left my job in senior management a year ago and moved to be with my fiancé in Northern Ireland. Now married and back in CA. I find this period in our lives as a great opportunity to take on new challenges. I know I can run a company from a business/finance sense and can always contract the expertise I fall short on (i.e. marketing). Hard work, perseverance and long hours don't scare me as I've done it all of my adult life. My husband is a photographer and your idea of short day tours where folks can be taken to key spots for photo opportunities (and a nice lunch) sounds great. Definitely something we will look into if we can incorporate his photography skills into the mix.
I speak Portuguese and can read perfectly but a local would be able to know I don’t speak it perfectly. I will also have the challenge of learning all that is needed there in order to start a business. I do have some ideas and one is in the food/service industry…kind of like the made –to- order sandwich you mentioned. I go back and forth on some of my ideas at the moment. I really need to be there so I can work on a business plan and get all of the information we need to make informed decisions. Luckily the internet has provided me with some good information on organizations that support the entrepreneur.
I think your wine and chat sounds great. Thank you for all the ideas and we would be very grateful if you have contacts that can help us in our journey.

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hello Treza,

have you considered some e-com venture ?

let me know if this might interest you.

cheers

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