| Spanish businesses offer a great | | | | on the Costa Blanca where 12% of the |
| opportunity in the right hands. Spain | | | | countries gross national product is |
| provides plenty of the right kind of | | | | earned from one small town. |
| businesses for a successful life. With | | | | This amounts to over 702,000€ being |
| the right amount of research, proper | | | | spent every single hour of every day*. |
| financial and business model planning, | | | | The most important considerations which |
| plus plenty of initial hard work, most | | | | should not be taken lightly are: |
| can develop a business into a profitable | | | | Location location location - Without it |
| and sustainable operation. You should | | | | you may not succeed |
| consider the following positive points | | | | Make sure you see the premises |
| to owning a business in Spain. | | | | openinglicence - no excuses |
| Businesses in Spain enjoy all year | | | | Make sure you see all other official |
| profitable trading especially in the | | | | local licences - live music etc |
| tourist hot spots in the south with the | | | | Make sure your new business is free of |
| Costa Blanca being the most popular | | | | debts - you are liable |
| destination for foreigners setting up | | | | Make sure the services are all in |
| business. | | | | working order |
| Bars, Restaurants and Cafés offer the | | | | Employ a good independent local lawyer |
| best rate of success as these can be | | | | Employ the services of an English |
| marketed toward the tourist sector where | | | | speaking Gestoria |
| it is possible to operate with only a | | | | Know what is included in the sale |
| little conversational Spanish. | | | | Know what goodwill you are getting |
| Life in Spain is very safe and less | | | | Know what you are paying for the |
| stressful for business owners, with less | | | | "trespasso" (ingoing) |
| paperwork once set up, than in the UK | | | | Know how long the contract is for and |
| and other European countries. | | | | can you legally renew it |
| There are less creditors and debtors in | | | | Talk to other business owners find out |
| Spain as the economy is still very much | | | | if they are trading well |
| cash driven, making most businesses cash | | | | Meet the landlord of your premises |
| rich to operate. | | | | (essential) |
| Operating costs are much less in Spain | | | | Agree written terms of your contract |
| for fixed costs such as business rates | | | | before paying a deposit |
| and refuse collection. | | | | Not buying too cheap - Cheap does not |
| With so many lifestyle opportunities the | | | | always make a bargain |
| country offers something for every type | | | | Checking out the area do you really want |
| and style of entrepreneur. | | | | to live here? |
| Setting up a business outside the "box" | | | | Consider the long hours - is this |
| is possible as there are so many niche | | | | lifestyle for you? |
| markets which are as yet untapped. This | | | | Have enough operating cash for the first |
| is especially true when considering | | | | 6 months |
| offering services to the many hundreds | | | | Understand the market - do you have the |
| of thousands of ex-pats living in Spain. | | | | experience |
| If you are looking to find somewhere to | | | | Operating cost analysis - know what you |
| live a great life and work hard, you | | | | weekly costs are |
| would be hard pressed to find a better | | | | Correct pricing not too high or low - |
| place than Spain. The country has grown | | | | 60% gross profit minimum |
| rapidly since the introduction of the | | | | Employ the right English speaking |
| euro into a very successful destination | | | | professionals |
| for businesses. It is an excellent place | | | | Marketing the right way to attract your |
| to put down financial roots by owning a | | | | niche customers |
| property or business. With, the massive | | | | Employ an interpreter and translator - |
| tourist sectorthere is a continuing and | | | | you will need one |
| ever changing need for tourist related | | | | Follow these guidelines and you will be |
| businesses, feeding the service | | | | able to make a nice living in Spain. |
| industries which in turn feed the | | | | Remember business is a serious |
| continued growth of the economy along | | | | commitment never take it lightly and |
| the Spanish coasts. | | | | only consider it if you really do have |
| An example of this success is Benidorm | | | | the skills and experience required. |