International Living Postcards– Sunday Edition

Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006

Paris, France

Marco Polo–travel writer, merchant, commander, prisoner, and confidant of Kublai Khan–first traveled China’s Silk Road trading route when he was but 17.

The Polos weren’t explorers, as you may think, but traders. Always searching for better profits, they would seek out new lands with new merchandise to import to their native Venice. It was into such a pioneering family that Marco Polo was born on Sept. 15, 1254. Over the coming week, in the days leading up to Marco’s birthday, we’ll bring you tales from modern import-export pioneers…who owe their successes to nothing more than open minds and fertile imaginations. For them, following in the footsteps of the Polos has been the straightforward result of noticing something unique or special while on vacation…and then saying to themselves, "People would pay big for that back home."

Our resident import-export guru, Steenie Harvey, will emcee our Happy Birthday, Marco Polo week. Each day this week, Steenie will share with you success stories from people who had no experience and little money, but who were at the right bazaar at the right time. Steenie will also share with you her market bargaining tips, as well as her inside list of inventory she believes to be under-represented on the import-export scene (along with recommendations for where to source these items).

You don’t have to wander ancient trading routes or battle pirates to be an importer-exporter. These days, all you need is a laptop computer and an eye for a bargain (if you’d prefer to search for merchandise from the back of a camel, you could do that, too, of course).

These tales, we hope, will inspire you to create your own import-export business, no matter how small to start. This is a $148 billion industry in the U.S. alone–so plenty of room for newcomers.

And it’s easier and cheaper than you might think. Don’t be intimidated. Start small. Take an extra suitcase with you on your next trip to Mexico…or China. Fill it, as you travel, with trinkets, pots, handicrafts, musical instruments, jewelry…anything that strikes your fancy. If you like it, others from wherever you hail likely will, too. And they’ll be willing to pay a premium for having the treasure hand-delivered.

No kidding…it can be as simple as that.

Steenie, and others, will tell you more this week. Stay tuned.

Happy trails,

Kathleen Peddicord
Publisher, International Living

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