Kat and Bruce Bennett were living in Seattle, Washington, working in the high-tech field. But they found themselves disillusioned with politics and disappointed in the direction U.S. culture seemed to be headed.
They decided to take some time off while they were still young enough to enjoy the experience of a new culture. Their plan was to take a couple of years to live abroad; they chose La Paz, an authentic Mexican city located in the southeast of the Baja peninsula below California.
That was seven years ago. Kat and Bruce fell in love with Mexico and never looked back. They love selling books in La Paz.
They chose La Paz, an authentic Mexican city located in the southeast of the Baja peninsula below California. “It fulfils what we were in search of, we love the culture here,” says Kat. “The people of Mexico are warm and friendly, and their heritage rich and diverse.” Life in La Paz, she says, is focused more on enjoying what you have than on acquiring more and more material possessions.
One of the main reasons why the Bennetts chose La Paz is because it’s such a safe place to live. “Seattle is a safe city; La Paz is safer,” Kat says.
To fund their life, Kat and Bruce turned to something they both love…books. They bought an existing bookstore in the downtown. While there isn’t a lot of money in bookstores, the cost of living is much lower in La Paz than it is up north, that even with their reduced income, they maintain a great lifestyle.
Their store, called Allende Books was started in 2007 by two women that the Bennetts met in Spanish class. Kat mentioned to them that she had managed bookstores in the past, and a year later she began working there, selling and ordering books and creating a database and accounting reports.
When the owner was ready to sell in 2009, Kat and Bruce jumped at the chance to own their own business. Not only did they love books, but because Kat was doing the financial reports, she knew the store was making enough to pay their bills, with enough left over to buy groceries and enjoy dinners out.
Buying a business in La Paz isn’t easy because of all the paperwork – things like special visas, tax registration, and getting a business license took time. But after three months, the Bennetts were officially Mexican entrepreneurs!
“It hasn’t been a get-rich-quick scheme, but we make ends meet and enjoy a lifestyle in paradise,” says Kat. “And we love our store.”
Allende Book’s customers are equally divided: one-third expats, one-third tourists, and one-third are Mexicans who want to learn, improve or practice their English. The biggest sellers are field and recreation guides on where to go hiking or cruising, or how to identify the plants and animals you see in Baja. The second biggest seller is fiction. After that, it’s language guides for learning Spanish.
Like many businesses in La Paz, the pace depends on the season. During tourist season from November to March it can be hectic, but during the heat of summer, it’s much slower. “That’s when we have time to catch up on everything we didn’t have time for during the winter,” says Bruce.
The Bennetts live in downtown La Paz, walking distance to both their bookstore and the malécon—the boardwalk on the beach. They rent their one-bedroom apartment for $300 a month and that includes propane (used for the stove and water heater), off-street parking, water, sewerage, garbage collection, and Internet. Electricity is an additional $10 per month.
“We can have a delicious breakfast at a nice restaurant with an ocean view for about $3.50, which includes coffee, fresh-squeezed juice, two eggs, bacon, potatoes, beans, and tortillas,” beams Bruce. “It’s enormous.”
Naturally, there can be some challenges when relocating to a foreign country, assimilating into a new culture, and running a business.
The biggest challenge the Bennetts face is getting merchandise from the U.S. to their store. “We cannot control or predict how long it will take to go through Customs,” says Kat. “It could take a month or more, so if we have a run on a title, we are simply out of that title until we get another shipment.”
Kat and Bruce say the best advice they can give to someone who wants to open a business abroad is to get to know the laws and customs of that country and accept them. “Remember the reasons why you wanted to live in a foreign country and then appreciate that country’s bureaucratic and social framework for what it is,” says Kat. “Have patience and keep your sense of humour and it will all work out.”
The Bennetts and their La Paz bookstore was first published by International Living, November 14, 2012
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About the Author
Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
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