methodology

This descriptive, qualitative study involved unstructured interviews with a nonrandom, purposive sample of owners of three small business in Chicago who moved to this country from their country of origin. The subjects were selected based on personal connection with the interviewer or another university colleague. Interviews were requested and scheduled either in-person or by phone. Interview questions were first tested with an immigrant living in Chicago and were revised minimally based on his input. Each subject signed a disclosure and consent form and a photo release form. Each interview lasted from 50 to 60 minutes and was conducted at the subject's place of business between April 19 and May 2, 2000. One follow-up telephone interview was conducted for 15 minutes on May 8, 2000.

Informal Questionnaire

1. What is your country of origin?
2. What prompted your move to the U.S.?
3. Have you lived in any other country?
4. When did you move to the U.S.? to Chicago?
5. Did you move here with family?
6. Did you know anyone here? (U.S.? Chicago?)
7. What happened on your first day in the U.S.? Describe how you felt, what you saw.
8. How did people treat you?
9. What were your assumptions or beliefs about America or Americans before you came here?
10. What were the realities that you discovered after you had been here six months? A year?
11. Did you own a business in your home country?
12. When did you decide to start your own business in Chicago?
13. How did you get started?
14. What kind of obstacles/difficulties did you have?
15. Are you aware of any benefits or obstacles to your progress that might be based on your race or ethnicity?
16. Did anyone help you? If yes, describe the ethnicity and gender of this person(s).
17. Did anyone specifically oppose or threaten your endeavor? If yes, describe the ethnicity and gender of this person(s).
18. Are you an American citizen or still a citizen of your birth country?
19. How did you make your decision about citizenship?
20. How successful do you consider your business?
21. How do you compare your business with others like it?
22. Who is your clientele?
23. How has your business environment or clientele changed since you started?
24. What information or services might help you in this changing environment?