(International Living) Isabelle and Robert Shahverdians lived and breathed stress and chaos in Los Angeles. Their lives were filled with long work days and long commutes, all to pay for life in the fast lane. Robert had a catering business, while Isabelle worked in art galleries and museums. During their 20 years in California, they enjoyed “good money, good times, and good … [Read more...]
Chiriqui chooses ecotourism
(Prensa.com) Tourism has given a new twist to agricultural activities, even, has brought good economic returns, according to leaders of this sector. In Chiriqui, for example, from an average of 20 existing agritourism farms, over 50% are located in the district of Bugaba and, of them, the highest percentage in the districts of Cerro Punta and Volcan. In these places the … [Read more...]
Growing a Coffee Business in Panama
(International Living) Jim Finegan didn’t set out to make Panama his second home. While traveling through Costa Rica with a couple of his bartender employees from his home state, Pennsylvania, Jim went to a Columbus-Day celebration and made a lucky $50 bet that netted him $5,000. Armed with an unexpected extension to his travel funds, Jim and his buddies decided to head down … [Read more...]
Living in Panama’s Santa Fe Highlands
(International Living) We’re sitting on the terrace of our cozy Casa Mariposa bungalow, drinking our morning coffee…grown, picked, and roasted just beyond the emerald hills below. From our vantage point it feels like we can see forever, the morning light playing across the rocky-topped Mount El Tute in the distance. Suddenly, I spot a rainbow-billed toucan flying … [Read more...]
Expat starts chocolate company in Panama
(International Living) “I started this business with $10,000,” says Pittsburg native Armon Demarco. His distribution company, operating in his adopted country of Panama, now does about $2 million worth of business a year. Is he a serial entrepreneur? Not really. A business whiz? He doesn’t think so. And Armon doesn’t have any formal business training, either. After high … [Read more...]