On to Step 2 - this is where it gets good and we start making some dollar dollar.
Step 2: Entrepreneurship
Paisas are renowned for being business people.
In fact walking and interacting with people on a daily basis is like being on Dragon's Den. No matter where you go or who you talk to - the Paisa will probably have something to sell. Mention you are looking for something for the house or how you really like that t-shirt and you will find out that lucky you...this person not only knows where you can get them but also sells them personally.
Speak to someone for 5 minutes and you will find that they are entrepreneur. These people "gots the skills to pay the bills". For example, I have a friend who is an accountant, has set up an alcohol home delivery service, sells swimwear, installs security cameras, repairs computers and has time to make jewellery.
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| Coud you not have arrived on time to pitch??? |
What I really like about Paisa's is that they are an enterprising bunch. If there is a buck to be made they will grab it. Take for example the women that emerge to sell black plastic bags when it starts to rain - or the guys who clean car windscreens at traffic lights. Students going to university can be seen with a little lunchbox of sweets, chocolate and snacks which they can sell to friends and classmates at lunchtime.
Paisas are hardworking and they aren't afraid to get their hands dirty to provide for themselves. Some sellers maybe looking to make an extra bit of cash to be able to buy a new t-shirt or two, while others are selling to feed their children. These are extremes but people don't sit back and wait for handouts - something that is nice to see coming from a country where social welfare and handouts are all too common.
There isnt anywhere in Medellin where the Paisa Entrepreneur cannot be seen - but to enjoy them in all their glory you need to take a trip to the Centro. Walking the streets of the Centro is like running the gauntlet of salespeople and food stalls. The Centro is a magical place, where you can find anything and everything you could ever wanted or didn't want - from blue jeans to inflatable paddling pools to the latest "authentic", "hand stolen" cell phone.
DVDs and sunglasses are amongst the most popular sells. You can get most DVDs for under $1 before they appear in cinemas. And if you want the latest Porn movies, well the place to go is next to the Church in the centre - yes the sellers have decided that the best location for selling their dirty movies is next to God's House - probably some method to this madness - dont have to go far to confess your sin.
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| Nice Selection |
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| Next to the Church....shame on You |
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| He carries this on his back |
It really does seem like everyone is selling. Centro Comerciales or malls are everywhere with endless tiny stalls packed together. Basically there is a Centro Comercial for every imaginal product - shoes, technology, dresses, bikinis, textiles, jeans. There's probably a hundred people selling the same thing - which to me is a bit strange. Dusting the cobwebs from my business degree ,we were taught to be successful you need to differentiate from your competition. But here everyone sells the same thing at the same price - but everyone seems to sell and make money. So screw my lecturers - follow Paisa Entrepreneurship 101 - you want to be exactly like your competition but sell the Adidas jersey with 4 stripes and not 5.
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| All originals of course |
Some people will try to sell everything - herbal remedies, DVDs, socks, football jerseys and remote controls. While others will focus on one thing - hats. If you are going to do something - Do it well!!
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| Hats |
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| Lots of suspicious things here |
Wherever you go you will here the ubiquitous "A la Orden"..this is a baffling catch all phrase which means (to name a few):
- Hello
- Come have a look
- Yes we do sell that
- Can I help you with a size
- Yes we do have that size
- I can take your payment
- You are welcome
- and.... Please come again
But you dont even need to go to the Centro and shop like a sucker because.... they will come to you!! About 2/3 times a day I hear the beautiful sound of "Mango, Mango, Mango" as the mobile fruit shop comes around. This isnt any Postman Pat style mobile shop on wheels. Its basically a cart full to the brim of mangos, bananas, oranges, papayas, pineapples and all sorts of fruit and veg - which meanders around the neighborhood selling to peoples' front doors. There are about five carts which do the rounds in my neighborhood. The produce is usually better than the supermarket too - with no lineups. But you dont just need fruit - you need arepas, gas, plastic bags, a remote control cover, tea towels - they are all here.
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| Pineapple Cart |
My favorite mobile cart in my neighborhood is the interior design cart. Which to my eye sells mirrors, painitng and a few tables. You know that feeling when you are sitting on the sofa wishing you had a mirror - well here you dont need to even get in a car and head to Ikea. Ikea is coming to you...and its a cart on wheels!
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| Mobile IKEA |
So we have realised there is money to be made. But to be Paisa you really want to make sure you are covering all those markets out there. Sell to the people on the bus, sell to the children leaving school, sell to people leaving the church, sell to people stuck in traffic. In every opportunity lies a business.
All Paisa business people usually have the same traits. Confidence, great talkers, jokers, ridiculously hardworking and with a great eye for a deal. You may think you are getting a steal but realise this person hasn't been out selling for 16 hours to not make a profit.
Unfortunately I usually get treated to Gringo Prices in places where there is no price advertised which is annoying but kind of expected. If you can make another few dollars from an unknowing foreigner, why not....sure they will have a nice story to tell when they get home.
There are so many weird and wonderful businesses here in Medellin. To give you a taste of the rarer or niche kinds here are a few of my favorite businesses I have seen in Medellin and a few of my future jobs I am sure.
(1) Sell Mobile/ Cell Phone Minutes - Minutos
For some reason to call a different network provider on your phone here is really expensive. So what are you going to do - make sure all your friends and family are on the same network? NO! This is Medellin. The Minutos business person has bought a phone and usually pays a rate that allows unlimited calls. The stall owner has usually about 3 shite phones - no iPhones or Galaxys here - think more Snake than Angry Birds. These phones are attached to the owner by chains or rope - think job security. The peson will usually have a high-vis vest or some flag that say they sell minutos at 100/200 pesos.... Much cheaper than to call using your own phone! Ok these people are making maybe $0.05/$0.10 a pop but it all adds up. Plus the Minutos People usually have a little mobile cart that has single chewing gums, single cigarettes and coffees so they are branching out and seeing opportunities. The lighter is also on a chain - so don't get any ideas.
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| You only get a meter freedom, better not mention that STI |
(2) Guinea Pig Gambling Agent
While in Ireland we are used to Paddy Power shops on every corner - we do enjoy a bet us Irish, we don't even care if its a real horse a computer game horse is all the same - in Medellin there are no bookmakers...officially. Take a walk to Parque Berrio in the Centro and you will find a game which hasn't yet crossed the pond. Guinea Pig Gambling. The game is pretty simple. In the centre is a guinea pig with a plastic bowl over it - and it is surrounded by a circle of other plastic bowls - each with a number and a little door. So you put your bet - coins or notes on which number you are going for. The boss man then shakes the guinea pigs bowl a little - disorientate it - then whichever bowl the guinea pig takes off into - winner winner. Brilliant in its simplicity and hats off to whoever came up with this.
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| Shake the shite out of it |
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| Not that fecking way |
(3) Traffic Light Entertainment Provider
Everybody gets bored stuck in traffic and hearing Uptown Funk for the millionth time on the radio isnt cutting it...you need real entertainment!! How about someone juggling knives? On a unicycle?..yessir Medellin has you covered. Think of it as Colombia Has Got Talent...live in your car. At most busy traffic lights there is a group of people to entertain you. Some go more simple than others with a bit of break dancing, twirling a stick, rolling that weird ball around their body. But some go all out. I have seen a guy hang a tightrope across the traffic, climb on top, grab some sticks, light them on fire, juggle them all while balancing a football on his head. I can see it now. Cirque de Soleil - Streets of Medellin!! Some of these entertainers are amazing and its sad that for risking breaking a leg or third-degree burns they probably make a dollar or less - sometimes they do it in vain as all the cars speed off the minute the lights turn.
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| He will probably make no money - just risking a broken neck |
(I have to mention this. One of the most bizarre things I have seen sold in all my time traveling is that people will sell "the body of christ", bread of life, eucharist, holy bread, church food. A little bag can be found next to biscuits, Doritos and peanuts on a few select carts - maybe you missed mass last Sunday?!? I have been told they haven't been blessed - but maybe you are in the mood for a dry wafer? Hey if you are - again the Paisa has got your back. )
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| Shite...I missed Mass |
So there we have Step 2.
If you want to be like a Paisa you better get that business hat on and start brainstorming. Because there's money to be made!! With that Im off to buy some guinea pigs and a tight rope...see you on Dragons Den soon.
