E2 Visa Holders

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Comment by Martin B on May 4, 2012 at 11:40am

Thank you all for these great words of wisdom. I'm really taking everything on board.

It's nice to hear a success story David. I'm not afraid of hard work and the rewards sound like they are worth it.

Comment by Katrina Charman on May 4, 2012 at 4:16am

I would echo David's point about franchises, the franchise fees can be very expensive each month, so if looking at a franchise, do make sure that you are realistic about how much you will make each month, all of your expenses both personal and for the business, and whether you think you can afford to pay franchise fees on top.

Saying that, I know of reputable franchises which charge fees of $2k a year, and others which charge that or more per month!!

Comment by David on May 3, 2012 at 10:42pm

Nina is offering some great advice, however I looked at franchises when we first came to Florida. We had around 180K to keep us going but we couldnt afford any of the better known franchises and decided in the end to buy a landscaping business. Nina is right that there is a lot of competition but if you work hard and have some idea of how to run a business you can be successful. Dont give up at initial setbacks, set your self and your new company goals and make sure you achieve them. We purchased our business for $130K 5 years ago and last year we turned over a little over $450K. I no longer go out and cut grass, I have 3 crews and I sell and supervise. It has been hard work but anything worthwhile in life is hard work. Some people tell me I have been lucky, my response is that its funny, the harder I work, the luckier I get. Go figure.

I would recommend you talk to a guy called Mike Shea at Trans World business Brokers, he sold us our business, held our hands through the process and has become a friend we couldn't do with out.

I think the bottom line on whatever business you choose is do your research, be prepared to work hard and consider problems to be challenges to be overcome. Best of luck in whatever business you finally decide on and I have to say, this really is a fantastic place to live, we wouldn't change it for anything.

Comment by Martin B on May 3, 2012 at 2:59pm

Thank you again Nina, I'll take a look into that and what a kind offer. Very very generous.

Comment by Nina Mold on May 3, 2012 at 2:40pm

Martin, go to www.franchisesolutions.com  they have hundreds of business so you can get an idea of prices and you can even chat live with an operator.

Comment by Nina Mold on May 3, 2012 at 2:31pm

There's nothing wrong with lawn care or pool maintenance, it's just that both are saturated and competition is fierce.  Not to mention the heat can kill you! My best advice at this stage is to do some research on franchises.  Things like Subway and Dairy Queen do very well here.  Some franchises advertise that they qualify for E2 visa because they know how many foreigners are looking for a way in.  Google - Franchises for E2 Visas - it brings up a ton of information.

Good luck, and let me know if you need any more info, or if you'd like to take a look at Naples, you're welcome to stay with us.

Comment by Martin B on May 3, 2012 at 11:37am

We would be looking in the Orlando area, not right in the middle but nearby. I did work for Pentium but took a redundency package 2 years ago and so I'm now a house husband with a little bit of taxi driving thrown in. My wife's a teacher. No business of our own. We had thought about lawn or pool maintenance or something like that but as several people have said to avoid it now I don't really know.

I'm in the resaearch stage and am just trying to absorb all this great advice and everything I'm reading.

Comment by Nina Mold on May 3, 2012 at 11:16am

Where in Florida do you have in mind?  What kind of business would you enjoy running and what do you and your wife do workwise?  I spent 20 years in the prison service, mostly as a Senior Officer (manager) and now own a hair salon. Management is management, and finding something you enjoy doing is, in my opinion, the key to success.

If you are considering Southwest Florida, I can help you look for something, and I have plenty of contacts in real estate who can help you find a home.  If you're leaning more towards Orlando, my friend and colleague, Zoe Adams, can put you in touch with a good immigration lawyer and others who can help you find a business.

BTW, if you already own and run a business in the UK, you should look at the L1 visa, not the E2.

Comment by Martin B on May 3, 2012 at 9:35am

I should have read that first.

I've not settled on any type of business. $210,000 is a the best estimate I can realistically think we could raise. Florida would be where we are aiming for. My oldest is 11.

Comment by Martin B on May 3, 2012 at 9:34am

Thank you thank you thank you Nina. I really do appreciate the honesty.

I've nmot settled on any trype of business. $210,000 is a the best estimate I can realistically think we could raise. Florida would be where we are aiming for. My oldesdt is 11.

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