Many people plan to come to Cancun and always ask about finding a job. How about opening a business? Does anyone on this board have/own a business in Cancun? Is there any info that can be shared such as if there was any difficulty of starting/running a business, "hidden" costs (taxes, etc), and if there is any problems with "organized crime" or "unorganized crime" that you run into. Thanks.
Everyone I know here who owns a retail business in Cancun pays "protection money" to organized crime. The one exception is someone who owns a business located within a hotel. I owned a retail store once, and would do so again, in the right market, but I would not go into retail here in Cancun. There are plenty of other businesses you can run here, of course. But personally I would stay away from anything that has you hanging out a public sign.
How do they approach you when asking for protection money and how much would they want. Do they threaten the owner or family members? Is it "risky" to set up shop near/around Mercado 28." I was thinking of a retail shop or food establishment. Another idea was of a business to distribute products to the hotels in the hotel zone.
Hi, PD. When I hear you mention taxes as a "hidden" expense, it makes me wonder if you've ever owned a business of the types you've mentioned on this forum. If not, why would you want to "try your hand" at it in Mexico, a place that's got to be just that much harder to make a go of it in: things may look simpler here, but they're not, as I see it. This is the second thread you've started in which you expressed concern about having to pay protection money, if you have a retail business, or restaurant, here. Why not think a little longer, and come up with a plan that doesn't entail considerations like these? Nobody would want to have to deal with that, no matter how considerately you were approached, or with how light a hand.
The first-hand stories I've heard had the initial approach going along the lines of: "We want money or we will kill your daughter [name], and rape and kill your wife [name]. We know your daughter goes to [name of school] and looks like [description of kid], we know you live at [address] and drive a [car description]."" In other words they do their research and make horrible threats. Several friends have decided to close their businesses rather than face this. Even if you build the cost of paying protection money into your cost of doing business there's nothing to say another group won't come along demanding more money. It's not like there's honor among thieves. And it's not like they are actually protecting anyone. Of course if you wash money for the mafia then maybe they won't charge you protection money...haha.
"V." Yes, this is my second thread about starting a business in Cancun as the first thread did not yield any responses. And, yes, I have had my own businesses (3) in the past. Long story short. I lived in Cancun 15 years ago. My wife (who I met there and is Mexican) wants to move back there. I am exploring different options of how to "make a living" there. We are considering opening a business and I have some concerns as if I need to be wary of the safety of my children by trying "to make a go of it" in Cancun. The reason for starting the thread is to get some info from people who have started a business there as I do not know all of the fundamentals and costs (legal, government, permits, taxes, etc) involved in getting started. And yes, I want to be aware if there is an element of organzed crime before starting any endeavor so I know what we may be up against. If it only hapens some of the time, that is one thing, if it happens all of the time, then it is another thing. Anyway, anyone who wants to share their experiences in opening and operating a business there, your input is greatly appreciated.
Some of the posters are "in business" in Cancun, and earn their living from their business activities, I just don't know if any of them are in the type of businesses you've mentioned. Only a few of them, perhaps fewer than few, have spoken about the kind of businesses they have, directly, on this forum. There are a number of people, a dozen or so, whom I've met and talked with who have operated businesses here for many years- cafes, restaurants, bar/restaurants, small hotels. Some just make a living, some make a lot. They say they are happy with their lives, something I don't think they'd say if they were under constant threat. Others, perhaps, are not so lucky; but, if you're serious about starting a business here, I'd suggest talking with those who've succeeded at it, and shift the emphasis of your inquiries to how to do it, successfully, and away from the problems you could run into, if you try.
Starting a business In the year prior to coming to Mexico I spent a lot of time doing online research to decide how I wanted to structure my work/business here in Mexico. After getting to Cancun, I spoke with three (as of this date) different attorneys in an effort to fully flesh out all the details. After deciding how best to get set up here in the short run, and getting the permissions required, I made a total of about six visits to the tax office (to date) to get registered, get more information, and file tax declarations. Regarding the options for setting up businesses that I'm aware of, at this point, the thread below contains many observations, based on what I read, was told by attorneys, and experienced, myself, so far- http://www.cancuncare.com/forum/liv...01-another-question-about-working-cancun.html
