There may be a lot of negative press around expat businesses, and indeed, some subcultures do take offence to the idea of their job’s being taken by foreigners. Not that any of that should dissuade you from following your dream, some small business ideas lend themselves particularly well to being run by foreign nationals.
There are, of course, considerations that will be quite relevant when relocating, like international insurance for employees abroad and various tax laws, applying to different countries and in different capacities based on your country of origin. When you are sure all your business affairs are in order, here are some great ideas to build a small business while living abroad. With these options, there is no doubt that you will be well on your way to earning an income from absolutely anywhere in the world.
Teaching Your Native Language
Language tutoring is a great idea, regardless of where you come from. Your target market may vary depending on the national and international prevalence of your native language, but there is always a market for education on some significant level. Language tutoring is also a prevalent option for young expats as a result of ample opportunities.
If your native language happens to be English, you may face a lot of competition but hold a tremendous potential market. In contrast, the more ‘exotic’ your home language is, the more of a niche market you will attract. The latter may mean seeking out clients of specific socio-economic demographics, depending on the educational and cultural value placed on linguistics in the country. If you are considering teaching your native language, you will need to brush up on methods of getting your name out there as a language tutor. In some cases, it is a fantastic idea to opt for tutoring courses that will ensure you can guide students appropriately.
Tour Guide
This one may sound absurdly counter-intuitive. Why on earth, after all, should a foreigner stand a chance of becoming a successful tour guide? In truth, surveys and statistics show that an outside perspective lends well to an enthusiastic representation of an area and its attractions. As natives lack fresh excitement for landscapes and historical aspects as they are used to their home countries, foreigners make the best tour guides.
Furthermore, an outside perspective allows for comparison and a more globalised approach to introducing people to any landmarks. This is best advised once one has a comprehensive understanding of the local culture and landscape, including all relevant and significant attractions.
Enter The Arts
In and of their very nature, artistic professions benefit from being ‘exotic’ and culturally fascinating. Whether you have talent in the performing arts or create realistic works, your market should be drawn to your work in direct proportion to its novelty. That is to say, don’t become a classicist painter in Greece!
More pragmatic artistic professions exist for those looking to earn in more conventional careers. Photography is a fantastic option, should you be skilled, and as long as people keep getting married photographers to keep getting work. You may also look into creating an artistic coalition with other foreign artists in your area, creating a consolidated cultural experience for your target market, even if it is done infrequently, is sure to draw many prospective clients.
Translation Services
Perhaps an obvious choice, your odds of success depend much on your nuanced comprehension of the languages involved. Necessary translation skills could secure you an office job, whereas advanced translative skills can lead to a lucrative career in either government or the private sector.
Should you not find a market offering enough work to pay all the bills, be sure to advertise your services in a freelance capacity. Every cent helps, and every job may be a gateway to a full-fledged career in professional translation services. There are also a few translation platforms out there that broaden the spectrum of opportunities for aspiring translators.
Work For Anyone, Anywhere
The epoch of the digital age means your geographic location no longer bounds you in terms of service delivery. A great deal of work happens remotely, online, across the globe. Should you possess a penchant or skill set that you can capitalise from, there are numerous sites like Fiverr and Freelancer on which you can advertise and bid for work.
There are a ton of freelancer sites out there that host enormous amounts of online opportunities. Therefore regardless of your career skills, you will be able to find remote and freelance opportunities where ever you are in the world. If you are considering freelancing, it is vital to determine methods of payments with clients before formulating agreements as you will need to be sure the payment method will suit your bank. Some digital wallets that boast international convenience are not able to link to banks in certain countries.