WHAT TO DO AFTER OPENING YOUR BUSINESS

Let me tell you something nobody told me when I opened my first business…

After the ribbon cutting, lifting the gate, and taking a photo with my first customer, I went home feeling excited… and terrified.
I thought: “Now what?” 😳

Because no one warns you that opening the doors is just the beginning.
The real journey—the one that keeps your business alive and growing—starts the very next day.

If you’ve just launched your business or are about to, this article is for you.
Here, I’ll walk you through what to do right after opening—without jargon or complicated advice. Just real, practical stuff that works.

📌 First things first—double-check what you might have put off “for later.”

🔹 Real-life example:
María opened her café in North Philly. The place looked great, the coffee smelled amazing… but she had no idea how to track her finances.
Two months in, she didn’t know if she was making money or not.

🎯 Things to check right now:

• Do you have a simple system to track income and expenses?
• Are your legal papers, licenses, and insurance in place?
• Is your business schedule clear and visible to customers?

📌 When you’re just starting, everything depends on you—but that doesn’t mean doing it all at once.

🔹 Real-life example:
José opened his barbershop. By day two, he was running promos, fixing his website, posting on social media, and trying to serve six clients an hour.
He burned out by the end of the week.

🎯 Basic tips:

• Prioritize: What tasks bring in customers right now?
• Use a notebook or planner to organize your day.
• Delegate what you can—even to a cousin or with a free app.

📌 A business without sales is just an expensive hobby.

🔹 Real-life example:
Lucía opened a gift shop. Two weeks went by and no sales.
Then she handed out samples, visited nearby businesses, and posted short videos showing off her products.
Result: her first sales came in—and with them, her confidence.

🎯 Ideas to sell from day one:

• Tell everyone you’ve opened (friends, neighbors, online).
• Offer a sample or a small launch discount.
• Record a short intro video and post it to Facebook or Instagram.

📌 It’s not enough to have a business. You have to tell the world about it.

🔹 Real-life example:
Ana, who sells natural skincare, opened her shop and waited for customers. No one came.
Then she started sharing skincare tips, told her story, and showed how she made each product.
Result: loyal clients who recommend her business.

🎯 Check your communication channels:

• Do you have active social media pages?
• Are you using WhatsApp Business with a welcome message?
• Does your sign clearly say what you offer?

📌 You may start with one idea… and reality may surprise you.

🔹 Real-life example:
Martín thought young people would be his main customers.
But the ones walking into his bakery were mostly seniors.
So, he adjusted—opened earlier, turned down the music, and added whole wheat bread.
Result: steady sales and less stress.

🎯 Ask yourself:

• Who’s actually coming into your business? Is it who you expected?
• What products are selling the most?
• What feedback are people giving you over and over?

🎯 Opening your business is just the first door.
Success comes when you keep walking, learning, and adjusting each day.

It’s not about rushing — it’s about moving forward with purpose.

So, if you’re asking yourself, “Now what?” — here are a few answers:

• Review your foundation
• Organize your time and energy
• Focus on early sales
• Communicate clearly
• Adjust when needed

✨ You’re not alone. Here in Philadelphia, there’s a whole community of Latino entrepreneurs just like you—who started with a dream and turned it into a business.

I can help you — shall we talk?