Congratulations! After all the blood, sweat, and tears, your passion project has grown into a full-fledged business. You’ve earned back your initial investment, your customer list is growing, and your team is performing at its best. What was once just a dream is now a thriving reality. That’s something to be proud of!

Now that you’ve reached this milestone, you might be wondering: “What’s next?”

There are so many exciting ways to grow your business—and the path you choose depends on the future you envision for it. But whatever direction you take, one thing’s certain: your next steps need to be carefully planned. This will shape the foundation and long-term success of your venture.

1. Think about what you want to achieve for the next phase of your growth. Do you want to open a physical store or hire more members? How about invest in new technology or equipment, or expand your product line? 
2. Build a financial buffer for expansion. Whether you're planning to open a new branch, invest in equipment, or hire more staff, having savings gives you the flexibility to act when the time is right—without relying solely on loans or external funding.
3. Grow your funds through smart investing. Instead of letting your savings sit idle, put them to work through diversified investments. With solutions like MCBL GoalReady, you can choose from a range of funds—including the Global Multi-Asset Income Fund (GMAI)—to match your risk profile and business timeline. 
4. Benefit from dollar cost averaging. By investing consistently over time (e.g., monthly), you can take advantage of market ups and downs. This strategy helps you buy more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high—potentially leading to better long-term outcomes, especially in volatile markets.  
5. Protect your business and legacy. Manulife GoalReady also includes life insurance coverage, helping ensure your business and loved ones are financially secure even if the unexpected happens.

See how Dina, a 40-year-old budding entrepreneur plans to use her Manulife GoalReady plan to expand her business.