Guanacaste is a province that stands out for its natural beauty and for taking advantage of tourist services, both for foreigners and nationals. However, it is an area which has also grown significantly in the field of investment and entrepreneurship. This was exactly what Carolina Murillo, Omar Sancho and Carlos Zumbado noticed, 5 years ago when she contacted her company OCC Consultores.
Carolina, Omar and Carlos, have several years of experience in the areas of business management and residential and hotel projects in the Playa Conchal Guanacaste area. This insight drives them to further their careers, and enables them to identify the needs of a new business niche. They realized that the demand for tertiary companies that possibly assume the administration of common areas, maintenance and even the accounting issue, for residential complexes was urgent. Therefore, they decided to undertake in this area, since 2015.
The desire to start a new company was not only born from the new demands of customers, but also from the innate desire of the three of them to want to have a change of life.
The dynamic with the staff is different when you start, it is much more authentic. At OCC we all work evenly and we encourage everyone’s ideas – regardless of their area of work – to be heard and respected. We do not have a negative hierarchy because the idea is to grow together.
Carolina Murillo – CoFoundress of OCC
Currently, the OCC team is made up of around 30 collaborators, becoming the livelihood for many families in the area. They have specific managers according to the services they offer: maintenance, human resources, condominium administration, accounting, etc. However, its founding members have learned the value of knowing a little about each topic, in order to offer a high-quality, holistic service. In addition, they have been given the task of highlighting the potential of Costa Rican skilled labor, their payroll is 100% “Ticos”, mostly Guanacastecan.
How to Start a business in Guancaste ?
Pros
Within the virtues of the area, the team highlights the accessibility to the market compared to other areas of the country. On the one hand, the economic reactivation and improvements in infrastructure and public services have increased the attractiveness of the province in terms of capital investment.
And on the other hand, since it has been a process that has occurred in recent years, job competition is less. This increases the positioning and market share of those companies that demonstrate good quality.
However, one of the characteristics of the area is that the majority of clients are foreigners, so their standards vary, so that entrepreneurs “must measure up.” For OCC Consultores, this has meant the opportunity to maintain stable structures and high levels of demand.
Finally, they also highlight the calm and pleasant atmosphere enjoyed in the area, where outdoor activities are accessible to all, without any discrimination.
Cons
Now, Carolina affirms that one of the biggest challenges that she identifies – not only for her entrepreneurship, but for other Costa Ricans with similar plans – is being able to remain correct as a patron before the law. She takes it very responsibly, but admits that the biggest challenge has been the economic challenge, due to the inflexibility of certain laws.
Still, Carolina advises those who want to start a business not to be discouraged and move forward little by little according to their possibilities and goals. The rewards come with time and effort and are a risk you must take, but it is worth it.
Advice for future business people
The main thing is to be clear about your goals and to always be 6 steps ahead. It is also very important to know who my clients are and what they are looking for.
Carolina Murillo – CoFoundress of OCCr.
For Carolina and the OCC Consultores team, it has also been vital to define strong bases and values. Among them are transparency and honesty, companionship and assertive communication, both with employees and with customers.
Without a doubt, OCC Consultores is a great example of Guanacaste entrepreneurship and quality services that are developed and offered in the province.
