Make 600% Profit From $2 Trinkets

This could be your new office in sunny Honduras.

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007

Learn more about global business opportunities in International Living Postcards--your daily escape

A few months ago, I wrote about a woman named Blue Abele. After attending IL’s first Import-Export conference, Blue created a website to sell her craft finds. (She’d previously sold to friends and at craft shows.) In the first week the website was up, she made $3,000 worth of sales.

Blue divides her time between Roatan, Honduras, and Michigan. That’s when she’s not on the road sourcing new treasures. The crafts are all handmade by artisans--not only from Honduras, but from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and Italy too.

Business is booming. So much so that Blue has now signed a year’s lease for a retail location within two blocks of Roatan’s cruise ship dock.

“At this point, the dock is a basic concrete pier, but it was recently purchased by Royal Caribbean. They’re planning to put in a huge retail complex by the end of 2009.”

Here’s an example of the profits to be made: Blue found an artist in La Ceiba that makes candles inlaid with hibiscus and orchid. “They are gorgeous and smell awesome. I bought 30 at $2 apiece, and sold four this morning to the first cruise-shippers for $12. I could probably get more for them, but we'll see what happens.”

As setting up an overseas store might seem daunting, I asked how Blue went about it, and if she had any tips.

“I hired a couple of local people to help me build my shelves, paint, etc. This was a huge time-saver and very inexpensive. I also hired a couple of ladies to work with me in the store. Before it opened, we practiced everything from tracking inventory, making a sale, greeting customers, etc. As I’ve been living in the area for a couple of years, finding staff was easy for me. If you are new to an area, talk to other expats about their recommendations for employees.

“To net new customers, I contacted the sales offices of Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian cruise lines, and was able to pay to get into their in-room booklets that tell about the different ports. This can be a bit expensive, but it’s sure to drive traffic to us.

“I also decided to have a grand opening barbecue that was free to the public, and offered a 10% discount for items purchased that day. Most attendees were my friends, but it was a very productive day.”

Blue spoke to several expat business owners on Roatan who told her the first step was to get a business permit.

“I went to the municipal government building and had this kind of conversation four times with the same clerk:

“Me: Hi, I am here to apply for a permit for a new retail business. What do I need to do?

“Clerk: You need a copy of your passport, a completed application, and $40.

“Me: Great, I have a passport copy. I’ll fill out the application right now and give it to you.

“Clerk: You will have to bring it back. We are closing for lunch now from noon to 2:30.

“Me: Umm, it is only 11:45, I can finish this before noon.

“Clerk: Well, I am leaving early.

“Me: OK. I’ll be back at 2:30.

...

“Me: Hi, I have my completed application, my money, and a copy of my passport. May I have my stamped permit?

“Clerk: Oh, you are an American. You filled out the wrong application. Next person in line, please.

“This finally worked out when I took a local friend with me. I ended up turning in the original application.”

On a final note, Blue says IL’s Import-Export Kit proved invaluable when it came to shipping items to Honduras. “The constant reminders to do your research before shipping were a huge help in informing me of the questions to ask. Plus, I knew ahead of time what paperwork the customs people would need.”

Steenie Harvey
For International Living

P.S. Blue attended our last Import-Export seminar in Nicaragua too--but this time as a speaker. Don’t worry if you missed it--we recorded every word. After listening to the advice of Blue and other entrepreneurs and experts, you’ll understand exactly how to get started in this lucrative business whether at home or overseas.

P.P.S. Check out Blue’s website.