In Sunny Business in Spain we showcase inspiring stories from people who have built their careers and businesses under the Spanish sun. They’ll share why they chose Spain, how they made it work, and offer valuable tips for others considering the same move. This time we get Ali Meehan’s opinions.
She admits to have never really had Spain in mind when it came to living abroad.
Ali: Back in 2000, I was working remotely, which was quite unusual for that time. When the company I worked for decided to close their UK office, they offered us the chance to work from home. Fast forward to 2002, I met my now-husband, who was living in Fuengirola. Surprisingly, the internet here in Spain was much better than where I was in the UK. So, my company agreed to let me work from Spain, and I would often commute to the UK or the Middle East.
I felt quite isolated
Moving to Spain wasn’t exactly smooth. I only knew my husband and this was way before the days of social media, so I felt quite isolated. There were no school connections since we didn’t have kids, and my Spanish? Well, it was non-existent because Spain had never been on my radar. In my 30s, I had lived in Australia for a bit, but it was different—there, they spoke my language, and the culture was more familiar. Spain, on the other hand, was a complete mystery to me with very different customs and a different way of living, working and being.
New hometown
Now, I live in Los Boliches [a neighbourhood in Fuengirola], and I absolutely love it. It’s a blend of traditional Spanish life and an international seaside community. You still find one-off local shops and traditional restaurants here, plus access to cultural events. We’re also conveniently located on the train line to Málaga, so if I fancy a city trip to museums or events, it’s easily done. And with the AVE train or airport nearby, travelling further afield is just as easy.
Life over work priority
One of the biggest differences I’ve noticed is how much Spaniards prioritise life over work. In my last corporate job, it was all about the hustle, but here, people take a more relaxed approach. Since moving to Spain the second time, I started my own business, so my focus has shifted from working on someone else’s success to creating my own. However, friends of mine will laugh when I say I now live at a slower pace—it’s not entirely true! Also, one thing I haven’t quite adopted is the Spanish habit of staying up late. I still need my sleep!
Three different businesses
There’s no such thing as a typical day for me. I juggle three different businesses: Costa Women, which is a community for women living or moving to Spain; my own coaching practice; and private marketing for a couple of clients I’ve had since 2017. My diary is my lifeline, although my journal comes in a close second!
Costa Women
Costa Women was born out of my own need for friends. Back in 2002, as a remote worker, it was hard to meet people. There was no social media, and I spent most days alone, waiting for my husband to come home. By the time we returned to Spain in 2010, I had already set up Costa Women as a platform, and the journey just took off from there.
Accept things for what they are
I’ve had to adapt to the Spanish work culture, especially the bureaucratic side of things. My advice? Accept it for what it is. It’s not wrong, it’s just is. Also, it’s important to remember that locals know each other from school, family and hobbies, so they don’t necessarily need your business, especially if you don’t speak Spanish. There’s a misconception that Spain lacks innovation, which is not true. Often, they’ve already got what you’re offering, so always do your homework.
Work culture differences
When it comes to work culture differences, one thing that stands out is advertising. A PR friend of mine, Georgina Shaw, would tell you that advertising here is less subtle than in other countries—more direct with a “buy now” attitude. The working hours are different too, with many offices still taking a long break in the middle of the day and then returning to work later in the evening. I also appreciate that shops close on Sundays here in Los Boliches, and some even shut down on Saturday afternoons. I hope that tradition sticks around.
Hobbies as a great way to integrate
Integration into the Spanish community has been a slow, ongoing process. I’ve been taking Pilates classes in Spanish, which helps me improve my language skills while getting to know the locals. I think hobbies are a great way to integrate because you already know the activity; it’s just a matter of learning to do it in Spanish.
Spain has it all
Spain is such a diverse country, offering everything from beaches to skiing and vibrant cities full of culture. Granada, Córdoba, Seville, and Madrid are some of my favourite cities—they each have their own unique vibe and cultural richness.
Ali’s advice on where to go in Spain
It’s funny, because in the Costa Women community we often get asked by women thinking about where to move to. The question is where would you recommend? And my response is always, we would all recommend our individual parts of Spain! My advice is to decide what type of lifestyle you want, those hobbies and interests, connectivity to the world and internet. And then practical things like can you image living here when you get old, or have access to basic needs like a pint of milk? What community is around you and what community do you want to connect into? Are you looking for an expat existence where you only connect with people who speak your language, or do you want to integrate with the Spanish way of living, make new friends, or even broaden it into other nationalities too?
Favourite food and restaurants
As for food, I love locally caught fish like boquerones al limón. My husband and I are pescatarians, and we make an effort to buy local, in-season produce from two local farmers. We’ve even visited their farms and know they don’t use pesticides, which is important to us.
In Fuengirola, there are over 300 bars, cafes, and restaurants, so we’re spoiled for choice. Lately, we’ve been enjoying sushi from Soluna Sushi in Torreblanca, tapas from Restaurante La Esquinita, and vegan dishes from The Sanctuary Cafe in La Cala de Mijas.
Shortcomings and challenges
What do I miss most about the UK? The people—my friends who’ve known me the longest, my sister and family. I’ve been away since 2002, and though the UK has changed a lot, I don’t see myself moving back anytime soon.
The biggest challenge here has been the language. It’s a learning process, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever fully master it, but I keep trying!
Ali’s tips
Do your research (can I say that in bold!)! I am still shocked at how many people don’t ever research having a business here, the costs, a backup plan and money you need to have behind you before you start earning, how long it can take etc. Please ask qualified people the questions as well as people who are actually running a business here. Take a business owner out for coffee and ask those tough questions.
Finally, Costa Women is free to join, so if you’re a woman living in or moving to Spain, come and find us at costawomen.com. And if you’re thinking about starting a business, feel free to reach out. Alongside my coaching, we have a Business Growth Mastermind with a supportive group of women already running businesses in Spain. I’m always happy to chat and help, so don’t hesitate to book a call.
Also read: Sunny Business: An interview with Deborah Cater from BrandWiseContent