Starting an expat business in Mexico - just do it

If you are reading this post, you are either already living/working in Mexico or you are seriously thinking about it.  So what is holding you back? 

YOUR PEER GROUP

You wake up excited.  You have got a great business idea that will allow you to live comfortably on the beach in Mexico (with lots of hard work of course!).  The idea is almost bursting out of you...then you tell your closest friends.  "Are you SURE about that?"  "But what about your job?"  "It sounds nice, but who knows if it will work."  "You don't even speak Spanish!"  "Mexico!  Are you crazy?  They are killing everyone!"   All of the sudden, you feel deflated and start to doubt your idea.  Sometimes the people you believe to be your biggest supporters turn into your biggest critics.  They don't necessarily do it to discourage you - they just don't get it.  Do not let your peer group discourage you.  If you are truly passionate about an idea, delve into it with laser sharp focus.

YOUR LACK OF SPANISH

This is not an excuse.  I know very successful business people who have seen an opportunity in the Mexican market and jumped on it, without speaking the language.  You SHOULD learn the language, not because it is a requirement, but because it will enrich your life and give you opportunities that you otherwise might not have.  There are Spanish schools, books on tape, podcasts, conversation meetups, etc. 

YOUR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW

Foreign law seems scary because we are dealing with the unknown.  When you think about it, how well do you really know the law in your home country?  We all like to think we do, but when it comes down to it, unless you have studied the laws it is most likely that your knowledge is cursory.  There is a reason that lawyers and business advisors exists - use them!!!

YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT ONCE "X, Y, Z" HAPPENS

I've been guilty of this many times in many areas of my life, until I really drilled this phrase into my brain "There is never a right time."  I know it sounds extreme, and you may argue till your blue in the face about how you just are waiting for X to happen and then you'll be ready.  Have you ever thought about what would occur if X happened and you still weren't ready?  Jumping in* is hard, but it is the best way to get started.

*Jump in after you have done some research - jumping in blind could shoot your anxiety levels through the roof and be totally counterproductive!