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- May 1, 2011
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What kind of a business do you want to start?
If you want to start an online business, then staying in Romania is probably a better idea since you have much, much lower taxes (if Wikipedia is right, it's 10% flat tax which is one of the lowest tax rates in the world) and lower costs of living.
I guess that making $500 or so a month is enough to live comfortably in Romania. You can easily make that (and much more) through freelancing while working on your business on the side.
If you want to start an offline business, then I understand that it might be more challenging in Romania since people have less disposable income, there's corruption, and probably other issues to deal with. Also, starting an offline business means that you probably need more start-up capital (though probably less in Romania and more in the UK), so you need to be able to save a lot of money (can an average person do that easily in Romania?).
If there are few opportunities for an offline business in Romania (and/or it comes with other risks you described), then moving to the UK or another richer country makes sense.
Having said that, there's one thing that might make reaching your goals in Romania difficult, regardless if it's an online or an offline business...
The local mentality. If every day you're dealing with depressed or lazy people, if corruption is something normal there, if you're afraid of becoming successful because most live on little and will envy you and/or pose a physical threat (and I don't mean Romania is a dangerous place, I'm talking more about things like scratching a car just because it's expensive and stuff like that), then you should consider leaving.
In the end, it does all depend on you, but at the same time, the local surroundings have a huge influence on your performance. If you can't prosper mentally in Romania (and no, it doesn't mean that you're a wuss if you're struggling with that - you can theoretically succeed everywhere, but in some places it's easier so why make it harder for you?), then it might be a good choice to move elsewhere.
Think of it like this: what difference does it make that you pay 10% in taxes or have low living costs or are local instead of an immigrant if you're only operating at 10% of your potential? Being in a place with high entrepreneurial energy, surrounded by successful, happy people, with nice homes and cars can have a dramatic influence on your motivation. You can also connect with more high-level people. Just one connection or sometimes even one tip from a successful individual can make you a lot of money.
You are your most important asset - if you had a luxurious car, would you keep it outside in freezing, cold weather or park it in a nice garage?
My other question is: why specifically UK and not a different country? I've noticed that many people from Eastern Europe head to the UK for a better life, but if everybody is doing that, then you aren't really that special or valuable in the new country. How about considering a different destination where you can be more unique and more valuable?
For example, where do wealthy Romanian people go to for vacation? If, for example, plenty of them visit Greece, then you might possibly find a job in the tourism industry there and later on, possibly start your own business focused on Romanian tourists (just an example, I don't really know whether it's possible with the current financial shape of Greece).
I don't know what you're looking for so I'm just giving some ideas of EU/EU-associated countries more developed than Romania and with low unemployment rate that might offer good opportunities:
Last but not least:
Work on this part of your mindset. To give, sometimes you have to take. Don't feel sorry when you're asking for help. I'm like you in this aspect and feel like it's a hindrance in life, particularly in business. As long as you give a lot, don't be sorry about taking a little, too.
If you want to start an online business, then staying in Romania is probably a better idea since you have much, much lower taxes (if Wikipedia is right, it's 10% flat tax which is one of the lowest tax rates in the world) and lower costs of living.
I guess that making $500 or so a month is enough to live comfortably in Romania. You can easily make that (and much more) through freelancing while working on your business on the side.
If you want to start an offline business, then I understand that it might be more challenging in Romania since people have less disposable income, there's corruption, and probably other issues to deal with. Also, starting an offline business means that you probably need more start-up capital (though probably less in Romania and more in the UK), so you need to be able to save a lot of money (can an average person do that easily in Romania?).
If there are few opportunities for an offline business in Romania (and/or it comes with other risks you described), then moving to the UK or another richer country makes sense.
Having said that, there's one thing that might make reaching your goals in Romania difficult, regardless if it's an online or an offline business...
The local mentality. If every day you're dealing with depressed or lazy people, if corruption is something normal there, if you're afraid of becoming successful because most live on little and will envy you and/or pose a physical threat (and I don't mean Romania is a dangerous place, I'm talking more about things like scratching a car just because it's expensive and stuff like that), then you should consider leaving.
In the end, it does all depend on you, but at the same time, the local surroundings have a huge influence on your performance. If you can't prosper mentally in Romania (and no, it doesn't mean that you're a wuss if you're struggling with that - you can theoretically succeed everywhere, but in some places it's easier so why make it harder for you?), then it might be a good choice to move elsewhere.
Think of it like this: what difference does it make that you pay 10% in taxes or have low living costs or are local instead of an immigrant if you're only operating at 10% of your potential? Being in a place with high entrepreneurial energy, surrounded by successful, happy people, with nice homes and cars can have a dramatic influence on your motivation. You can also connect with more high-level people. Just one connection or sometimes even one tip from a successful individual can make you a lot of money.
You are your most important asset - if you had a luxurious car, would you keep it outside in freezing, cold weather or park it in a nice garage?
My other question is: why specifically UK and not a different country? I've noticed that many people from Eastern Europe head to the UK for a better life, but if everybody is doing that, then you aren't really that special or valuable in the new country. How about considering a different destination where you can be more unique and more valuable?
For example, where do wealthy Romanian people go to for vacation? If, for example, plenty of them visit Greece, then you might possibly find a job in the tourism industry there and later on, possibly start your own business focused on Romanian tourists (just an example, I don't really know whether it's possible with the current financial shape of Greece).
I don't know what you're looking for so I'm just giving some ideas of EU/EU-associated countries more developed than Romania and with low unemployment rate that might offer good opportunities:
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Austria
- Norway
- Malta
- Germany
Last but not least:
Sorry everyone, I'm only taking from this forum through this post. Criticize this as much as you would like, please.
Work on this part of your mindset. To give, sometimes you have to take. Don't feel sorry when you're asking for help. I'm like you in this aspect and feel like it's a hindrance in life, particularly in business. As long as you give a lot, don't be sorry about taking a little, too.