Here Today; Abroad Tomorrow

The shores of Costa Rica and the narrow streets of Paris are more than a vacation spot for many Americans. These scenic locales also have inspired adventurous business owners to ditch their domestic digs and ply their trades overseas.

Plenty of Americans find work in other countries. Preliminary numbers from the IRS show that 303,940 taxpayers claimed the foreign-earned income exclusion in 2005.

But starting a business overseas can offer a far more intimate insight into the challenges of red tape, labor laws and cultural differences. Those who surmount the obstacles can find an alluring market for their venture. ...