Alison Talbert
Articles by Alison Talbert
One look at Cotacachi, Ecuador’s famous leather street, and I knew—“I’m going to need a bigger closet…” Turns out I wasn’t far off the mark! The gorgeous, buttery leather handbags, wallets, backpacks, briefcases, and jackets were as inexpensive are they were irresistible. Heck, I almost bought a saddle…and I don’t even own a horse!
I’ll never forget the night I sat on my living room floor counting the proceeds from my very first day in business. $2,500. Not too shabby for my first attempt. It was downright exhilarating. A few weeks earlier I had made the last-minute decision to jump on a plane bound for Ecuador. Right from the moment I stepped off the plane, everything about the country appealed to me.
My teenage daughter, Sarah, and I were enjoying an afternoon at a beautiful spa near Cuenca after a full morning of shopping. Sinking into the warm mud, I couldn’t help thinking, “I’m getting paid to do this.” Perhaps I should back up. I began importing gorgeous, unique goods from Ecuador five years ago with no experience.
About five years ago I heard about a course running in Ecuador that could show me how to make money from travel. I didn’t know anything about Ecuador but was intrigued by the idea. The more I read about it, the more excited I got. The course was about import/export and it was about to show me how I could travel to exotic spots, shop for beautiful, unique artisan-made goods, and turn a profit…
About five years ago I heard about a course running in Ecuador that could show me how to make money from travel. I didn’t know anything about Ecuador but was intrigued by the idea. The more I read about it, the more excited I got. The course was about import/export and it was about to show me how I could travel to exotic spots, shop for beautiful, unique artisan-made goods, and turn a profit…
Some years back, while shopping in Ecuador, my friend and I visited the sprawling market in Otavalo. It’s home to a huge collection of indigenous South American crafts. Music pulsed and the enticing aromas from outdoor grills filled the air. The plaza and surrounding streets were filled with vendors offering everything imaginable. Handbags, antique bowls, jewelry…there was something for everyone.
Some years back, while shopping in Ecuador, my friend and I visited the sprawling market in Otavalo. It’s home to a huge collection of indigenous South American crafts. Music pulsed and the enticing aromas from outdoor grills filled the air. The plaza and surrounding streets were filled with vendors offering everything imaginable. Handbags, antique bowls, jewelry…there was something for everyone.
Shop and travel for a living? It is, indeed, possible, and anybody can do it! Whether you want to simply offset your travel expenses or take your business to the next level, import/export offers a flexible, exciting path to cash!
Shop and travel for a living? It is, indeed, possible, and anybody can do it! Whether you want to simply offset your travel expenses or take your business to the next level, import/export offers a flexible, exciting path to cash!
A discussion of Suitcase Exporting as an additional income stream and a fun way to fund your travel.
A discussion of Suitcase Exporting as an additional income stream and a fun way to fund your travel.
Every couple of months I fly down to Ecuador to spend time enjoying spectacular …
I knew the basics…importing means bringing items from one country in to another and exporting, conversely, involves sending products from one country back to another. Mostly I was just eager for an adventure, and I was taking a leap of faith. At the time, I had no idea how profitable it can be— and how much fun it is.
Would you love to make money while traveling, shopping, and exploring exotic destinations? It is, indeed, possible! For the past four years I’ve funded my trips and banked money importing beautiful handcrafted goods from Ecuador and selling them at home shows and local markets.
Would you love to make money while traveling, shopping, and exploring exotic destinations? It is, indeed, possible! For the past four years I’ve funded my trips and banked money importing beautiful handcrafted goods from Ecuador and selling them at home shows and local markets.
Would you love to make money while traveling, shopping, and exploring exotic destinations? It is, indeed, possible! For the past four years I’ve funded my trips and banked money importing beautiful handcrafted goods from Ecuador and selling them at home shows and local markets.
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