“To get through all the licensing, regulations and procedures in opening a business here, we relied heavily on the local network of American and Canadian expats who knew the ropes,” Ms. Corley said. “The first step was to find an attorney who was highly recommended by the locals. She in turn connected us with a bi-lingual Mexican accounting firm that had both Mexican and U.S. accounting licenses, since we still hold assets in the United States. He in turn hooked us up with other people who could help, and so it goes. Believe me, it is all about getting connected with the local expat community.”
But even with the local support system, both considered the process a painful experience. “Part of the learning process is you find out that things work differently in a foreign country,” Ms. Corley noted. “I learned patience very quickly, you have to or you do not survive in Mexico. Coming from the U.S., the business culture here is very different. You have to reset your expectations, particularly in business practices like making and keeping appointments and customer service. It takes much longer for things to get done here.”
The biggest barrier for opening a business for them was learning all new business practices. “I am well-versed on all the laws and regulations for opening a business in the U.S., but everything is completely different in Mexico,” Ms. Corley said. “Setting up the books, learning about Facturas (legal receipts given for goods and services in Mexico that can be used for business expenses or tax deductions) and learning about employment rules that are completely different have all been big challenges.”
Their attorney and accountant did most of the work in setting up their business. The attorney secured their FM-3 work permit visas within two months, reviewed the franchise and space lease contracts and handled other legal matters for them. The accounting firm handled most of the work in dealing with the city in obtaining their business and tax licenses. The firm also by law has access to their business checking account at a local bank to pay employment taxes and must prepare the monthly financial statements, tasks that Ms. Manthei handled in their previous businesses.
Now that the business was established, the family decided that the commute from the Marina to Old Town was too long and decided to try condo living for the first time. “We moved to the Riviera Molino condominium, which just happens to be right above our store and super convenient,” Ms. Corley commented. “It is our first experience with condo living so everything is brand new.”
Asked if personal safety is an issue for the family, Ms. Corley said, “Although the media in the United States report extensively on the drug war in Mexico and its casualties, our family feels very safe. For us, Vallarta is one of the safest places we have ever lived. We have no insecurities about letting our daughter stroll the Malecon at night with her friends and we walk to most of our favorite places with no fear of violence. We feel completely safe in PV.”
