How do I go about starting my own international business?

Question

I would like to bring goods from central america and sell here in my home town in a boutique type setting.

Answer 1

It is probably a good idea to make some research first to see if those items are sellable. Do you know how many stores in the area are selling items similar to yours ? Do you know your target group ? Selling expensive central american goods in a college town for example does not make much sense.
This will probably take a considarable amount of investement, so you have to figure out where you going to get the money from.
I think in your case, you should write a business plan. Go www.sba.gov, they have a lot of resources there for startups.

If you've done your research, I think firsh thing to do is to register a company and find a space for you store. Then you need to find a supplier. This being international business, you should be carefull in picking your supplier, since they can just take your money and not send you the goods, or send you the wrong goods or whatever. So picking a bigger company will give you some assurance you are not dealing with scammers. Unless, you plan on going down to central america yourself and picking up the goods ? Central america could be a dangerous place, so I suggest working with supplier from over there instead of going down yourself.

Thats all that comes to mind.

Answer 2

i have a friend in central texas that does something similar he runs down to central mexico once a month with a trailer returns with the goods, handmade indian furniture and sells them online and to area furniture dealers

Answer 3

Dear Nancy,

Here is a resource for you:

http://www.export-expert.net

Do you have suppliers lined up?