Opening a business in your SO's country

[reeses16 8]

Brooklyn?! I never would have guessed.

I'm with you LL in Ethiopia they're just "mini-bus".

[Kanyiri 0]

They have trotros in Brooklyn?!

Yup! When I lived there we called them dolla' vans! And they were much faster than waiting for the bus. But they didn't have the "colorful" decorations like they do in Accra.

haha! There was a trotro that always ran in the Upper West that I hated riding in because of what was written on it. The front said in big letters "Kill me" and the back said "and fly."

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

They have trotros in Brooklyn?!

Yup! When I lived there we called them dolla' vans! And they were much faster than waiting for the bus. But they didn't have the "colorful" decorations like they do in Accra.

haha! There was a trotro that always ran in the Upper West that I hated riding in because of what was written on it. The front said in big letters "Kill me" and the back said "and fly."

Oh my Gosh!! I'd definitely avoid a trotro that says Kill me! It's scary enough riding in those things. I feel like I always ended up in the back seat squished with my feet up on a tire.

[LovinLiberia 0]

Brooklyn?! I never would have guessed.

I'm with you LL in Ethiopia they're just "mini-bus".

LOL, guess Liberia isn't the only one.

They have trotros in Brooklyn?!

Yup! When I lived there we called them dolla' vans! And they were much faster than waiting for the bus. But they didn't have the "colorful" decorations like they do in Accra.

haha! There was a trotro that always ran in the Upper West that I hated riding in because of what was written on it. The front said in big letters "Kill me" and the back said "and fly."

Oh my Gosh!! I'd definitely avoid a trotro that says Kill me! It's scary enough riding in those things. I feel like I always ended up in the back seat squished with my feet up on a tire.

I'm with you Zainab...I'd skip that one and wait for the next one.

[Ta Ta 1]

Me too.

Man finding a shipper and poda poda ...ehem ....mini bus is harder than I thought !

[LovinLiberia 0]

ROFL, I'mma need you to stop saying poda poda. You haven't found one, yet? How many seats are you all looking for?

[Ta Ta 1]

How many seats ? I don't care, they will be stuffed in there like Sardines anyway

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Me too.

Man finding a shipper and poda poda ...ehem ....mini bus is harder than I thought !

It's probably easier from Germany and you were just there. My husband's friend has bought his last two cars from Germany and had them shipped to Ghana. He just wrecked his VW and I think he has to get another one. But I'm not sure what he's doing now. These are personal cars though.

[Completely 3]

Who has thought of opening a business, store, shop in your SO's country ?

Who has actually done it and are you glad you did ?

We were thinking of several businesses like taxi service, Boutique, computer parts and repair ( he is big into computers )

but have settled on a Rice and staples shop.

The initial investment is very low, $ 500 for rent for a whole year and $ 50 per sack of rice.

We would also sell oil, flour and sugar.

He wanted the computer store but I think it would be a hassle buying the parts for repair as they are not easily accessable

in Sierra Leone so the Rice and staples is more realistic.

It is fun planning and talking about it for us and to kick ideas around. ( The phone company loves our long talks about it too !!! ) It is so difficult to find work in S/L so we may as well open a business ourselves and he will be operating the store there since

it may take another whole year for him to get here. Then someone in the family or close friend can take it from there.

Just wanted to bounce ideas around.

It will be nice to do this and I think this is a great idea, if you both will live and manage it your own.. Its hard to trust business even to your immediate family.

[Ta Ta 1]

Who has thought of opening a business, store, shop in your SO's country ?

Who has actually done it and are you glad you did ?

We were thinking of several businesses like taxi service, Boutique, computer parts and repair ( he is big into computers )

but have settled on a Rice and staples shop.

The initial investment is very low, $ 500 for rent for a whole year and $ 50 per sack of rice.

We would also sell oil, flour and sugar.

He wanted the computer store but I think it would be a hassle buying the parts for repair as they are not easily accessable

in Sierra Leone so the Rice and staples is more realistic.

It is fun planning and talking about it for us and to kick ideas around. ( The phone company loves our long talks about it too !!! ) It is so difficult to find work in S/L so we may as well open a business ourselves and he will be operating the store there since

it may take another whole year for him to get here. Then someone in the family or close friend can take it from there.

Just wanted to bounce ideas around.

It will be nice to do this and I think this is a great idea, if you both will live and manage it your own.. Its hard to trust business even to your immediate family.

Yes, we will manage it ourselves and plan to sell it when he comes here.

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

I am actually quite entrepenuial (sp), I am ALWAYS thinking of different way to make money or help people out. Right now I am selling tools designed for women and teaching them how to use them. It's only available here in the US, Canada, and in the UK. I also raise goats and chickens and sell milk and eggs, and the animals themselves too.

I have been brainstorming with Orphan Relief & Rescue on different things to do in Liberia with the orphanages they are helping out. Pig farming is one idea. Agriculture. Seamstressing, construction, etc. A missionary friend of mine is running a Coffee shop in Afghanistan. We grew up near Seattle so Coffee is what we do here! LOL! What about candles? Umm or jewelry. I don't know what it is like over there so not real sure. But I leave for Senegal in 26 days so when I get back I am sure I will be FULL of ideas!

My regular job I am an International Shipping Coordinator for lumber wholesalers. So I have lots of contacts for container shipping between countries. I don't know all the requirements for shipping vehicles but if you need a rate quote for a container I might be able to find someone for you. I am finding it a little difficult coming from or going to Africa though. We are trying to get lumber from Congo or Ghana and am having a heck of time getting my people to get me rates.

Edited October 4, 2008 by WhidbeyGirl

[Ta Ta 1]

I get free container shipping through our friend. Just looking for car shippers. Looking to get a quote soon.

[ose_n_me 0]

My regular job I am an International Shipping Coordinator for lumber wholesalers. So I have lots of contacts for container shipping between countries. I don't know all the requirements for shipping vehicles but if you need a rate quote for a container I might be able to find someone for you.

I get free container shipping through our friend.

Hubby and I are talking of starting a non-profit organization in the near future...One of the projects we'd like to include is shipping of clothing and personal care items to distribute through churches and eventually thru a Nigeria based home office, in which our family could operate in between our visits. We are also looking into assisting orphanages there with basic necessities. Any info on shipping and/or connections with another non-profit agency in Naija who you know and trust...please PM me. Thanks

God Bless

[ebonyqueen 0]

Hubby and I are talking of starting a non-profit organization in the near future...One of the projects we'd like to include is shipping of clothing and personal care items to distribute through churches and eventually thru a Nigeria based home office, in which our family could operate in between our visits. We are also looking into assisting orphanages there with basic necessities. Any info on shipping and/or connections with another non-profit agency in Naija who you know and trust...please PM me. Thanks

God Bless

Just sent you a pm. We should talk...

[Ta Ta 1]

Update on the business saga !

This is more complicated than I thought. Everything looks good in theory but is hard to implement.

The poda poda would cost about $9000 bought in S/L. A decent car around $ 5000. He does not want a cheaper one because he does not want to be underneath it fixing it all the time and doesn't trust less expensive ones. With the rough roads they will take a lot of rough rides.

If we ship it ,it will cost about $1000 - $1500 and $ 1320 to clear it through customs.

I also found out that most people ship vehicles without the seats and cram it full of TV's and any other stuff ..........lol. Then they buy seats over there.

Sigh, just too much for right now I think.

Meanwhile the good deal of a shop for $ 500 a year is no longer available and the others are higher.

I guess it won't happen unless he can find a cheaper vehicle.

He also had a brilliant idea on how to utilize the vehicle, rent it out to big companies for their drivers for around $ 800 per month. He already spoke with someone from the electric company.

If only we can find a cheaper and reliable vehicle..........any suggestions from nearby Liberia or Guinea ?