Want to Start a Business in the Dominican Republic? Here's My Advice.

Thinking about moving to or investing in the Dominican Republic? Join 1,400+ members inside the DR Inner Circle: https://www.drinnercircle.com Every week someone asks me what business they should open when they move to DR. I always give the same answer, and it’s probably not what you want to hear. Don’t. Not yet. Spend a year here first. I learned this the expensive way. My videographer, who had run a photo and video studio in San Pedro with great results, came to me with an idea. There’s nothing like this in Puntana, he said. A full podcast studio, a photo studio, a video studio. I’ll open it up and it’ll do great. I believed him, I fronted the money, and we got it open. After a year, I was on the phone with him every month saying the same thing: bro, just shut it down. Nobody was coming in. And here’s why. In San Pedro, in Veron, in cities across the Dominican Republic, people go to a studio for family photos because their house isn’t photo-worthy. In Puntana, people’s houses are photo-worthy. They’ve got the tree set up for Christmas, they’re doing the quinceañera at the event space, they want you to come to the beach. My videographer was charging Puntana prices to a crowd that doesn’t go to a studio, and he was already getting hired every week by people who wanted him to come to them. My wife explained all of this to me very clearly. After we had already spent the money. The other example I use is the drive-through car wash. On paper it seems like an obvious gap in the market. Then you learn that Gusman comes to your house and cleans your car inside and out for 1,000 pesos. Maybe a drive-through car wash is a great idea here. Or maybe it isn’t. But you only know that after you’ve been here, talked to people, watched how things actually work. You don’t know that from abroad. This is the thing about DR. The differences aren’t always visible until you’re inside them. What works in your city, what fills an obvious gap in your city, doesn’t always translate. Come down, get to know the systems, the people, the rhythms of the place. Then decide on a business. The idea you build after a year of living here will be a completely different idea than the one you came with, and it’ll be a much better one. If you’re thinking about moving to the Dominican Republic and wondering whether to bring a business plan with you, this video is my honest take on why that plan should wait. Topics covered: starting a business in Dominican Republic, expat business Dominican Republic, moving to Dominican Republic entrepreneur, Puntana business opportunities, should I open a business in DR, moving abroad business advice, Dominican Republic expat life, remote work Dominican Republic, Punta Cana real estate, cost of living Dominican Republic Disclaimer: This reflects my personal experience and perspective at the time of recording. Everyone’s situation is different. Always consult appropriate legal, financial, and immigration professionals before making decisions about relocating internationally.