What Business Would You Choose

[sundowner]

Hi everyone. Hubby and I are hoping to move to Florida next year and just cannot decide what type of business to look at. On the other hand, would it be better to get a job with a U.S. company. What do all of you do, and how did you find out about the opportunities there ? Look forward to advice, good or bad news.

[heathercobbett]

I am always surprised that there are no baked potato restaurants in Fla (particularly when you see the backlash about conventional fast food)

However,It strikes me that all the businesses in Orlando are jolly hard work and most of them seem to be over subscribed

[pieman790]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by heathercobbett
I am always surprised that there are no baked potato restaurants in Fla (particularly when you see the backlash about conventional fast food)

However,It strikes me that all the businesses in Orlando are jolly hard work and most of them seem to be over subscribed
[/quote]

They dont even sell baked potato in Costco like they do in the UK.
Maybe there could a hole in the market for somebody to fill.

[blott]

Whatever you eventually choose, make sure that it's something that you're going to enjoy doing as you'll hopefully be doing it for a long time! Look on the business sale websites and try and imagine yourself doing all the jobs and which one you'd really enjoy - dismiss all the ones you'd hate!

If you do a desk job in the UK, then don't go for something strenuous like lawn care or pools as you'll soon be exhausted.

Try and do something that's not connected to the holiday trade (which is unpredictable at the best of times) so try and look for something that would appeal to permanent residents as year round customers.

When you think you've found something ideal, then talk to as many people in the same business as you can to get a feel for what it really is like doing that particular job. You could ask if you could volunteer for a week to spend that time actually doing that particular job. Even if you have staff, you have to know how things work (the staff will be looking for you to solve their work problems!) and sometimes you may be doing the job yourself if there's a staff shortage, if you're not doing it full time anyway.

Make sure you ask lots of pertinent questions if you're buying an existing business and look into it thoroughly to make sure that it's worth the purchase money requested and also that it's suitable for obtaining a visa.

Hone up on staff management skills (you need to employ local staff as part of your visa application) if you don't already have these. Even if you run your own family business in the UK without staff and think you can manage a company, know that having employed staff is a whole new ballgame.

Make sure that the business you eventually purchase doesn't have a liability insurance issue that costs a fortune in workers' compensation premiums.

Jobs with US companies are really difficult to come by as the companies are not allowed to employ anyone when there is someone around locally who could do the same job and it's an awful lot of paperwork for them so most don't bother unless you're exceptionally qualified in something that's in short supply.

[steph_goodrum]

"They dont even sell baked potato in Costco like they do in the UK.
Maybe there could a hole in the market for somebody to fill."

We found a place in West Oaks Mall a couple of years ago that sold baked potato.

I don't know if you read the Daily Mirror but Alan Sugar writes a column for entrepreneurs and the thing that comes up time and time again is not to go into a business unless you know something about it.

The number of times people write in and say things like "I'm a lifeguard but I fancy running a take-away shop" , whilst some skills are transferable, the biggest rule of any successful one is to know your product, you can't sell it to clients if you don't know the first thing about it. So to some extent your choice of business will be partly dictated by your current skills and knowledge. Don't just buy any business to get you over there because you'll soon find you don't have the skills or enthusiasm to make it the success it needs to continue to be to renew your visa when required.

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sundowner
Hi everyone. Hubby and I are hoping to move to Florida next year and just cannot decide what type of business to look at. On the other hand, would it be better to get a job with a U.S. company. What do all of you do, and how did you find out about the opportunities there ? Look forward to advice, good or bad news.
[/quote]

Finding a job with a company wins hands down in my books.......one that leads to a greencard.......then you can do whatever you like........

[sundowner]

Thanks everyone. You know it's a little spooky cos me and hubby talked about the baked potato thing a while ago. Maybe eventually setting up a chain so that we can employ and train locals.

We will be going over for 3 months when the villa is built to give us some ideas and have a good look at potential markets. I did consider once, going to work in some sort of franchise place to give me a good understanding of how they work.

It would be great if hubby could get a job within a company. He enjoys his work very much and loves a challenge - at present he goes into companies that are in difficulty (about to go down the pan) and helps bring them back on track (similar to a programme that was on a while ago, but can't remember the name). Or, if they need new systems in place (SAP etc)I am sure other companies in U.S. would be able to find their fellow americans can do the job.

So that means we are back to baked potatoes then - any particular fillings take your fancy ??

[steph_goodrum]

Tuna, sweetcorn and mayo for me please Sundowner.

Maybe Spud U like might do franchises in the US, although the business is more restrictive if a franchise at least theres a bit of support to get you going, plus of course their advertising.

[esprit]

Wendys sell baked potatoes. I regularly have one with sour cream and chive and a cup of chili on top, they do other flavours too, broccoli and cheese stands out.

If you can get a job do so. You will be en route to green card. Nothing can ever explain the insecurity of having your visa attached to your business and knowing that however old and ill you get, you have to keep trading it and cant retire, your kids dont have a right to stay after 21 and I cant stress the amount of hard work and stress that running a business attached to a visa brings. It is also getting more and more difficult to get E2. I got mine in 5 weeks, the wait time is now much longer and many more people seem to be being turned down.

If you must run a business, think outside of the box. Anything to do with vacation is oversubscribed and really hard work. Look at things Americans need, you couldnt go wrong wirh air conditioning, roofing, plumbing and electrician ( all really needed here). All earn about three times per hour what you will earn in property management. I have to say. Beauty salon, tanning salon ( yes I know someone who is very successful) blinds, massage therapist, hairdresser etc etc. Look to manage not to do yourself so though experience is advised, it isnt 100% necessary.

If you really want the rose coloured glasses off, there is a website with a section specifically for E2 where a number of us already running businesses here help and advise people wanting to move out. Dm me for details. Reading through the threads isnt for the faint hearted, you will see how difficult and daunting it can be, a few people recently have decided not to make the move after all, or to go to Oz where you get permanent residence if you buy a business, a couple of people already here have decided it isnt for them and have moved back to the UK. If you still want to do it, there is loads and loads of practical information on there. And friendship and camaraderie.

[Ray9]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott

Jobs with US companies are really difficult to come by as the companies are not allowed to employ anyone when there is someone around locally who could do the same job [/quote]
A common misconception but not true...
That only apples for labor certification or when a H-1B is going for the GC..