Yesterday, I posted about an article from the Startup Journal about how a growing trend is people moving to different countries, and starting up businesses that will earn them a living, and earn them the ability to stay in the country of their choice. I hear every day through e-mail from people who want to move to the Philippines, but most of them ask me how they will be able to make money. Well, let your entrepreneurial juices flow, think outside the box, and let your personal passions point you in the direction that can earn you some money and also make you happy in doing so.
In looking around the Internet, I found one such person. Of course, I know it’s possible, because I am an Expat Entrepreneur myself, and it’s been working for me for over 7 years now. But, of course I know there are many others like me. One person that I found doing this had some very similar ideas to mine, and the story intrigued me.
The story starts out with a lady named Luanna Bicknell. Luanna is a 30 year old British lady who lives in Hungary. Her husband’s job brought the family there about a year ago. When they moved to Hungary, the Bicknell family brought along their trampoline. It’s funny, because we have a large trampoline that we brought from the States with us. To Luanna’s surprise, lots of people from the neighborhood found the trampoline fascinating, they had never used one before! Soon Luanna started inviting the “onlookers” to come in and try the trampoline for themselves! They loved it. Soon, Luanna opened an online store selling things for kids! She focused in on things that she knew that kids loved from back home in England, but were not available in Hungary, her new home. She opened a website, Hoppi, which sold trampolines and other items that she knew kids would love to have! Apparently, she is doing well in the endeavor!
I have had the same experience with my trampoline (or should I say with my kids’ trampoline). When people come over to our house, they see the big trampoline in the back yard, and art literally drawn to it. They want to know about it, and they want to try it out. Trampolines are not readily available here, and some people don’t even know what it is when they see it. The kids get on, though, jump and have a great time. They don’t want to get off! So, I know exactly where Luanna is with her trampoline. I also perfectly understand what she is doing with her online store, because it mirrors my personal experiences too.
When you move to another country, like I did when I moved to the Philippines, you instantly have a unique perspective that can help your entrepreneurial juices flow, and help you succeed in whatever you try. The unique perspective is that you know what works in your previous home. For instance, Luanna knew without a doubt that kids loved the trampoline. If they didn’t, Luanna and her husband wouldn’t have purchased one! So, she can look at what worked back home, and see that certain things are not available in her new home, and boom! Instantly she can enter a business that has already been tried, tested and proven, but it just has not moved into her new home yet! It works the other way too. For me, living here in the Philippines, I can see things that they have here, or activities that they do, which are not in the USA. As an American, I have a feel for what other Americans might like, or might purchase. When I put these two bits of knowledge together, it presents opportunities to me that I can bring from here to the USA. So, there are money making opportunities on both sides of the ocean.
So, for all of you who are beating your heads trying to figure out how to make a living here, so that you can make the move here, my best advice comes in two different points:
- Think outside the box. Don’t be boxed in and limited in your thinking. Let all of your barriers aside and think in unconventional ways. You’ll be surprised what you come up with.
- Let your passion guide you. We all have things that we are passionate about, things we love to do. I’m talking about things like hobbies, or values in our lives. Figure out what it is that you are really passionate about, and do it. You will figure out a way to use that passion to make money. And, you will always enjoy doing it, because it’s your passion after all.
Hi Bob,
Very interesting site and am looking forward to further points of advice. I am interested in this in case I do decide to retire in the Phils. I will have a few pensions to help me out but a little more income from my passion in sport wouldn't go amiss.
I will be doing some coaching when I am in the Phils later this year and will try to do some research as to any needs that are not being fulfilled. I already have a sports blog that I am working on at the moment, but it's just for fun. It may be possible in the future if I can find out how to attract many people to the site, that it could possibly earn me a few pennies.
Keep up the good work,
Gerry
I like your thinking and I believe you are entirely right. I have been noticing a lot of the same things. I often think geez, nobody has thought of this, or that, or wouldn't it be great to bring this or that idea to America. I live here and trying to get a job, though I will admit I have given lax effort, since call center thing really doesn't amuse me so much. I have been considering finding a way to make my own way, but I don't really have the funds I need at this time. I do have some ideas though I am exploring. Thanks for the inspiration. I will keep brainstorming, and hopefully I find that one niche.
In an indirect way, this is one of the reason why i have not lost hope for the country. Imagine the different types of business and fresh new ideas the large OFW population will be bringing when they start returning to retire or invest.
I can relate. It's not my nature, but everytime I come home I keep thinking of imaginary business ventures in Davao that would be a success. So many possibilities. In my day dreams, I was a successful davao returnee with multiple businesses.
Hi Gerry – Great news, you already have discovered your passion. I am sure that if you really think hard about it, and think outside the box, you will come up with some unique ways to make money from being involved in Sports!
Hi Edward – Once you think of an idea, give up on the attitude of lax effort. Go full steam ahead and make a big effort to make your idea pay off. You are like me, I often have ideas that just kind of pop into my head. That is your first hurdle, and you've already cleared that one! Good luck!
Hi Macky – That's the first step toward prosperity, being able to picture yourself as being successful. When you put that picture into your mind, it will become a reality. I have a question for you about OFW's. I have been told by quite a few OFW's that when they return home, they feel unappreciated. They have told me that they are actually treated as an outsider here, and feel discriminated against by their own kababayans. What do you think? Have you witnessed that, or felt it?
Hi Bob
Thank you for your support in my business, I was amazed to read such a complimentary blog entry from a stranger from the phillippines.
Life is about thinking outside of the box especailly when you have lots of children and a business!!! My business has started incredible well in terms of sales. Setting up the website was an up hill struggle and I am still having teething problems with the payment system but things will improve as time goes on. I will being adding more products in September and again at Christmas so please follow the website over the next few months. I am interested in adding products to the site from all over the world so if you have any ideas from the Phillipines, please let me know. I love your blog and will now be a regular reading. Best wishes to you and your Family, Luanna
Hi Luanna – Wow! What a surprise to see your comment, and I'm quite happy that you joined the discussion! I wish you the very best in your business, I think you had a great idea!
I also operate several e-commerce sites, and make my living in much the same way that you do. It's a good way for an ex-pat to keep some income rolling in.