🏪 Restaurant owner from Detroit - Managing immigrant small business finances

General
1

Salaam everyone! Abdul Hassan, owner of Middle Eastern restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan.

My Journey to America and PTA

Came to US from Syria five years ago with my family. Started with food truck, now have restaurant with 8 employees. American business accounting was completely different from what I knew - taxes, regulations, employee benefits, insurance.

Local SCORE mentor recommended ‘modern accounting methods.’ Found PTA through online search. The mathematical precision reminds me of engineering studies back home.

My Business Background

  • Mechanical engineer in Syria
  • Started Detroit food truck (2020)
  • Opened restaurant (2022)
  • Family of five (three young children)
  • Supporting extended family back home
  • Still learning American business practices

Unique Challenges

  • Language barriers: Understanding tax terminology
  • Cultural differences: American business customs
  • Cash-heavy business: Middle Eastern restaurant clientele
  • Family remittances: Sending money to Syria
  • Immigration costs: Green card, citizenship process
  • Religious considerations: Halal business practices

My Beancount Setup (Month 5)

Multi-currency tracking:

; Business accounts
2024-01-01 open Assets:Business:Checking USD
2024-01-01 open Assets:Business:Cash USD
2024-01-01 open Income:Restaurant:Food USD
2024-01-01 open Income:Restaurant:Catering USD

; Family support
2024-01-01 open Expenses:Family:Remittance USD
2024-01-01 open Assets:Transfer:Syria SYP

; Immigration expenses
2024-01-01 open Expenses:Immigration:Legal USD
2024-01-01 open Expenses:Immigration:Fees USD

Why PTA Works for Immigrant Business

  • Transparency: Government agencies want detailed records
  • Multi-currency: Track remittances to family abroad
  • Audit trail: Immigration requires financial documentation
  • Learning tool: Understanding American accounting principles

Daily Operations

  • Morning: Update yesterday’s cash sales
  • Track food costs (prices change frequently)
  • Employee payroll and tips
  • Vendor payments (many prefer cash)
  • End-of-day cash reconciliation

Cultural Integration

  • Teaching American employees about Middle Eastern culture
  • Learning American customer service expectations
  • Balancing traditional recipes with local tastes
  • Understanding American tax obligations
  • Building relationships with local suppliers

Community Impact

  • Employing local residents
  • Introducing authentic Middle Eastern cuisine
  • Participating in community events
  • Supporting other immigrant businesses
  • Sharing business knowledge with new arrivals

Current Projects

  • Expanding catering services
  • Second location planning
  • Teaching wife basic bookkeeping
  • Documenting recipes for consistency
  • Building customer loyalty program

Questions for Community

  • Other immigrant business owners here?
  • Multi-currency remittance tracking?
  • Cash-heavy business best practices?
  • Small business tax optimization?
  • Employee management in PTA?

Building American Dream one transaction at a time. Grateful for this community’s knowledge sharing!

Abdul | Serving authentic food and authentic accounting

2

Abdul, welcome brother! Your journey from Syria to successful restaurant owner is inspiring. As a military member, I understand complex documentation requirements - immigration and military both demand detailed financial records. The multi-currency tracking for family remittances is something many of my fellow servicemembers deal with too. Your cash-heavy business approach reminds me of deployed locations where cash transactions dominate. Would love to learn about halal business practices and share government documentation strategies. Respect for building the American dream while supporting family abroad! :military_helmet: