businesses for sale

looking4info · #1 08-15-2009, 09:10 PM

I am looking for a good business for sale in the DR. I am looking for a kicked back business that is eather owner operator or 1 or 2 employees max. I have been in business for last 14 years and have had up to 13 employees and am looking to semi retire. I am looking for something under 100,000 US or 150,000 with a residence. Not interested in anything that is tied to a lease. I am coming to DR soon and want to know any feedback on what business look promissing in the DR.Will only be there month or 2 for now. I am looking towards the south and north coast but dont hear alot about the eastern end of the island. Is it a good area to live and hows tourism there? Would like any info on areas as far as business opertunites. Would prefer to come down and work for a while and find something from the inside and havent seen much info as far as working as a 34yo english speaking gringo, Is there any? plan to start learning spanish when im sure of my depature date should help? So any info on this would be appreciated.

jorgesarduysousa · #2 08-15-2009, 10:00 PM

definitely learn the language or your partner has to, if not everyone will steal you blind, you dont need to invest $$$$ tons, first find what you like to do being confined to a store, candy store [you have to love candy] pet store [you have to love animals].
Remember your going to be locked up the best amount of the day until it gets off the ground.

if you need to go into detail, pm me
regards

looking4info · #3 08-15-2009, 10:35 PM

well for the most part my thoughts are towards bar/resturant with me just working a shift SMALL outfit, tourist exscursions boat or local. but never know what people will think is good and the fact that i am looking for something new to me any other peoples ideas are appreciated. I do know the risks of being in business not gunna just jump right in unless THATS THE ONE! more looking for others peoples thoughts of what they think are good markets in the area so I can look into what is most appealing to me while i am there. I am just looking for something to pay my cost of living while there with my assets and roof over my head payed for IE the 150,000 so a good way to invest with some return and not work that hard and live desent.

mike l · #4 08-16-2009, 12:32 AM

With all do respect every one and their brother would like to live the " Dream " so why would anyone hand you a business plan for success when there are more people looking and failing and don't forget the locals as it's their Island so you just can't come here and put up a sign and expect to be successful.

Posting how much you could lose is not a wise idea either.

There are several restaurants that open and close each year here....don't forget location, location, location and that will cost $$$ and if it was such a great location why are they out of business???

Not too many " Investors" do any market research when coming here, which is like saying " If you Fail to Plan" You Plan on Failing.

Have a business plan prepared but you will need to know what your break even point is and how many tourists leave an all inclusive because if you are going after the expat community to make a buck you will have to stand in line!

looking4info · #5 08-16-2009, 02:44 AM

well thx for the info but don't think I'm getting what I'm after probably cause its a new post and i need to clarify some more. I am looking to buy a established turnkey business not start 1.(IE supporting whats there not trying to take from some local) Not trying to come down and get rich just don't have the means to support myself for ever. As far as business open and closing year after year ya its business people start with to high expectations under funded they just hate it ext ext ext. thx for your concern and input but I am really just interested in what are good areas and types of business that seem to do ok IYO and the owners live ok not lavish just ok. i can be very frugal if i need to be. so any response's toward those things are greatly appreciated.
and mike am i really asking for a business plan? I think not buddy

mike l · #6 08-16-2009, 02:59 AM

Just be careful and nothing here is Turn Key?

Create a demand outside of the DR or fufill a demand ...as that is what marketers do!

The most important advice I can give is to never " BUY A JOB "

For example you can pay $40k to open your own bar on the beach right next to 37 others....but yours will be different... but there are only 27 gringos on the beach that day and half of them live here!

I just go for a swim each day and am not interested in a lounge chair..etc.

Robert · #7 08-16-2009, 01:47 PM

As a business owner in the DR for 10 years, you are going about this ALL the wrong way. Right now I guarantee you will loose you entire investment, if not more with your current strategy of looking for a turnkey business etc.

I don't care if you have been successful in the USA, Europe etc, doing business here is a different animal. For every successful business I see owned and run by expats, I know of 10 that have failed, primarily due to very poor due diligence or arrogance (biggest business killer).

Your first step is to pour over DR1, read everything. We are by far the largest pool of knowledge on the Dominican Republic. 10-15 of our posters own and run successful business here and I guarantee that all will agree with what I'm about to say.

- You need to come here, get to know the country and how it works.
- You need see and hear the mistakes others have made and are still making.
- Get to know the culture and how Dominicans work and don't work.
- Know the local tax system, laws and accounting techniques and who you can trust to show you how these function etc.
- Learn the language.

Once you have a grasp of the above, than start looking around.

In my experience, only those that go through the above steps, stand any chance of survival.

Adrian Bye · #8 08-16-2009, 03:21 PM

I agree with Robert. But the easiest way to get started is to come down and get a job in the industry you want to own a business in. Do that for 6-12 months, and if you still want to run a business, then buy one.

You'll have a much greater chance of success and will be less likely to lose all your capital which is what will likely happen if you continue on your current path.

waytogo · #9 08-16-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

As a business owner in the DR for 10 years, you are going about this ALL the wrong way. Right now I guarantee you will loose you entire investment, if not more with your current strategy of looking for a turnkey business etc.

I don't care if you have been successful in the USA, Europe etc, doing business here is a different animal. For every successful business I see owned and run by expats, I know of 10 that have failed, primarily due to very poor due diligence or arrogance (biggest business killer).

Your first step is to pour over DR1, read everything. We are by far the largest pool of knowledge on the Dominican Republic. 10-15 of our posters own and run successful business here and I guarantee that all will agree with what I'm about to say.

- You need to come here, get to know the country and how it works.
- You need see and hear the mistakes others have made and are still making.
- Get to know the culture and how Dominicans work and don't work.
- Know the local tax system, laws and accounting techniques and who you can trust to show you how these function etc.
- Learn the language.

Once you have a grasp of the above, than start looking around.

In my experience, only those that go through the above steps, stand any chance of survival.

Very good advice. And after you have done this, study it again.

looking4info · #10 08-16-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

As a business owner in the DR for 10 years, you are going about this ALL the wrong way. Right now I guarantee you will loose you entire investment, if not more with your current strategy of looking for a turnkey business etc.

I don't care if you have been successful in the USA, Europe etc, doing business here is a different animal. For every successful business I see owned and run by expats, I know of 10 that have failed, primarily due to very poor due diligence or arrogance (biggest business killer).

Your first step is to pour over DR1, read everything. We are by far the largest pool of knowledge on the Dominican Republic. 10-15 of our posters own and run successful business here and I guarantee that all will agree with what I'm about to say.

oh my i have been reading on dr1 for 3 months off and on now and looking at things in the caribbean for years for a place that looks appealing to me. and the DR looks the most promissing so far. damn can anyone stick to a subject again thx for your concern but can we please try to answer the question that was asked

dont assume that this is a bran new idea to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

- You need to come here, get to know the country and how it works.
- You need see and hear the mistakes others have made and are still making.
- Get to know the culture and how Dominicans work and don't work.
- Know the local tax system, laws and accounting techniques and who you can trust to show you how these function etc.
- Learn the language.

Once you have a grasp of the above, than start looking around.

In my experience, only those that go through the above steps, stand any chance of survival.

yes very good advise and I thought that is what i am doing? so much critasizem!! thanks for the advise but can people PLEASE keep the answers towards the question?