Opening a brick-and-mortar business in New York City takes more than just a good idea. It takes funding, strategy, establishing connections and a clear sense of purpose. That’s what Adrian Cepeda brought when he founded The World’s Borough Bookshop in Jackson Heights two years ago. His mission? To highlight BIPOC, immigrant, and first-gen authors, who represent the diverse voices of his neighborhood.

With the help of a $20,000 grant from the “Queens Tech and Innovation Challenge” and momentum from his TikTok account, BookPapi, the shop has become more than a place to buy books. It’s a community hub, hosting story-times, open mics, and workshops.

Today, Adrian shares what it really takes to launch a business, how public funding and digital platforms like tiktok helped him get it off the ground, and why representation and community are at the center.

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Learn more about The World's Borough Bookshop

Find Bookpapi on TikTok