How to Set Up a Business in Spain (Sin Morir en el Intento)
Details
Starting a business in Spain is exciting, but between complex red tape, unexpected costs, and local regulations, it can quickly feel overwhelming.
Join us for a candid, no-BS session with María Garrido, founder and manager of Málaga’s award-winning Urban Jungle Hostel.
Prior to building her company, María earned her MBA at ESADE Business School in Barcelona, specializing in Disruptive Marketing in San Francisco, USA.
Drawing from top-tier business training and nearly a decade of hands-on experience in hospitality, marketing, team leadership, and finance, she shares what it really takes to launch, run, and scale a venture in Spain—without losing your sanity along the way.
Whether you're an aspiring founder, freelancer, remote worker, or simply curious about how business actually works in Spain, this talk provides practical, field-tested frameworks and lessons learned the hard way.
### Key Takeaways
- The Reality of Setup: Navigating legal options (autónomo vs. S.L.), red tape, and administrative surprises without burning through your runway.
- Operations & Growth: Building a reliable team, managing cash flow, and balancing customer experience with long-term profitability.
- Founder Resilience: Managing burnout, adapting to market shifts, and leveraging local business networks.
- Actionable Insights: Clear, practical frameworks you can apply immediately to your own projects in Spain.
### Speaker Profile
María Garrido is an entrepreneur based in Málaga with nearly a decade of experience in hospitality and business development. Armed with an ESADE MBA (Barcelona) and specialized training in Disruptive Marketing (San Francisco), she combined high-level strategy with real-world execution to build Urban Jungle Hostel into an award-winning venue. Today, she actively supports the local community by helping others turn bold ideas into sustainable, long-term businesses.
### Agenda
- 18:00 – 19:00: Welcome & Pre-Talk Networking
- 19:00 – 20:00: Talk by María Garrido
- 20:30 – 21:00: Open Q&A
- 21:00 – 22:00: Closing & Networking
📍 Location: Innovation Campus - Malaga Terrace
🎟️ Admission: Free (Limited capacity — please RSVP to reserve your spot)