Havana , Cuba ( CNN ) The rattle of ice in a stainless steel shaker heralds the first mojito of the day . It comes courtesy of the award-winning cocktail waitress at Waoo ! , a private restaurant run by 41-year-old Cuban entrepreneur Alain Rodriguez . `` The recipe for success is maintaining the real taste of Cuba , whether that 's in the food and drink or our taste for life , '' he told me . Businesses like Rodriguez 's are among the most visible examples of economic reforms -- that are fueling small , private enterprise -- already launched by President Raul Castro . Rodriguez , a former sommelier at Havana 's famed El Nacional Hotel , says he set up his own business just over two years ago in a house owned by his cousin and financed with his own savings and some investment from relatives in the United States . Now small businesses like his could get substantial new cash injections thanks to measures announced by President Barack Obama , which came into effect Friday . Among the changes , it will be easier for Americans -- and their spending money -- to come to Cuba . Cuban authorities and tourism industry experts estimate that could open the door to 1 million U.S. visitors a year , added to the expected 3 million international tourists from other parts of the world . Equally significant , the Obama administration has approved a four-fold increase in remittances from Cuban-Americans to their families in Cuba and no upper limit on remittances destined to fund small business . Unveiling the changes to U.S. trade and travel policy on December 17 , Obama said : `` We 're calling on Cuba to unleash the potential of 11 million Cubans by ending unnecessary resistance to their political , social and economic activities . '' Predictably the decision drew fire from some U.S. Republicans who thought the easing of restrictions would put more money into the hands of the Cuban government , the United States ' longstanding Cold War foe . But perhaps Obama 's decision over time could prove to be a backdoor to generating change on the island . U.S. economist Milton Friedman , a former adviser to President Ronald Reagan , once said : `` Economic freedom is an indispensable means to the achievement of political freedom . '' Now , with Obama 's changes , some ordinary Cubans could gain higher incomes because they work in the growing tourist sector , could set up private businesses , or could receive higher-value remittances from families in the United States . Others may be left behind , unable to make ends meet on meager state-sector wages , currently running around $ 20 a month . As economic divisions are exacerbated , so is the chance of growing political divisions that could ultimately chip away at Cuba 's socialist system . Restaurant owner Rodriguez , however , does n't seem concerned . `` If salaries start to rise and more remittances come in , then great . In Cuba we do n't pay much attention to who is a first- , second- or third-class citizen . But if that starts to happen we 'll have to see how we deal with it , '' he said . Rodriguez is already considering the possibility of new outlets and has patented his Waoo ! trade name with a view to possible franchise options . But he is convinced liberalization must be gradual and orderly . He does not favor a free-for-all . He says all his 20 staff are affiliated to the Cuban labor federation , CTC , and march in the May Day parade to Havana 's Revolution Square . Rodriguez is a firm believer that Cuban government reforms coupled with a bigger influx of U.S. dollars will not undermine Cuban socialism . Across Havana , at a very different type of private business , nail salon owner Indira Yero has a very different viewpoint . At 29 she has never worked for the state . She charges around $ 5 as she works quickly but precisely smoothing then painting claw-like acrylic nails . She seems to have a well-established clientele who drop by a side room in her ground floor apartment in Old Havana . Yero expresses very little patience for Cuba 's socialist system and perhaps surprisingly is not afraid to speak her mind . `` I am one of the capitalist generation . I 've never worked for the state and I believe that the capitalist generation is better than the other , '' she said . Until fairly recently , such talk would have run her the risk of being branded a counter-revolutionary by her neighbors . Yero is unabashed when she suggests her generation has little time for talk of the Cuban Revolution . `` All that business of Fidel and the Revolution is a very pretty story but it 's got nothing to do with now , '' she said . `` Now its different . Young people want to go to good places , a disco , an all-expenses paid hotel and with a state salary you just ca n't do that . '' Above her workstation , Yero has scratched a sign into the fluorescent light fitting . `` No money . No nail do . '' A warning that Cuba 's once-cherished dream of forging an egalitarian society may be dimming .
Cuban ##s hope that policy changes mean more opportunities to make money . They are confident and believe they 're ready for the challenges .