reflections

I learned a great deal from the immigrant entrepreneurs who graciously shared their stories with me. So how did my assumptions hold up under this investigation?

Small business is hard work.
My research and my hosts all reiterated the long hours and hard times inherent in running your own business. Despite my desire to keep fewer hours in my new business, I find that I experience the same fears and pressures of my immigrant neighbors. And sometimes the biggest problem is having more customers than you can comfortably handle!

Ethnicity or appearance may be an obstacle to obtaining finances.
While the research supports the assumption that discrimination may occur based on ethnicity (leading immigrants to use informal lending options within ethnic enclaves), the entrepreneurs in my study borrowed money from family, saved for several years, or got a bank loan. None mentioned specific difficulties in obtaining capital.
(Light, 1996; Laguerre, 1998)

Ethnicity or appearance may result in bias or prejudice while trying to set up or run a business.
The literature cites many examples of systemic and individual racism against ethnic entrepreneurs. In my study, the German-born couple bought an existing store in a predominantly German neighborhood. They had no difficulties setting up the business. When Mexican families moved into the area, things changed, but no specific problems seemed to arise. The Taiwanese couple bought an existing Chinese restaurant by using the local Chinese newspapers. Because of their limited knowledge of English, their primary difficulty was negotiating with vendors. The African woman running the day care center had many years of business experience and received assistance from neighborhood groups and her alderman to get the business going. I could further assume that these people might have occasionally experienced additional bias, but chose not to recollect it or share it with me, a white collegiate woman. However, I am also aware that Chicago can be open and progressive so they may indeed not encounter blatant prejudice much.
(Lacey, 1990; Waldinger et al., 1990; Lindberg, 1993)

Immigrants previously own or consider owning a business before coming to the U.S.
Again, some of the research supported this assumption, but none of the entrepreneurs interviewed owned a business in their country of origin nor did they ever consider it until coming here. From my native-born experience, many people in my family owned a business and I held that possibility for myself most of my life.
(Light, 1996; Brenner, 1998; Laguerre, 1998)

Immigrants have family or social connections in the enclave community.
All of the people I spoke with had family in the U.S. before they arrived (some relatives had been here several years). Each expressed various ways in which they depended on social connections. From finding out about business opportunities (in the case of the Taiwanese restaurant owners) to talking about politics back home (in the case of the African woman). U.S. immigration policy changed in 1965 to emphasize family ties and sociologists have ample evidence to show how these relationships provide needed support on the one hand, and created ethnic ghettos on the other. Not all ethnic enclaves suffer financially, but they may be restricted in other ways.
(Lacey, 1990; Waldinger et al., 1990; Lindberg, 1993; Light, 1996; Laguerre, 1998; Borjas, 1999)

Immigrants are restricted to certain types of business.
While they would likely not consider their circumstances restrictive, two of my interviewees followed somewhat predictable paths. The German tailor learned his trade after World War II when there were no regular schools left in Germany. Chinese restaurants have been a staple of the Chicago nightlife since the first chop suey house opened in 1890. So Taiwanese immigrants are likely to have connections to learn how to operate a restaurant, as did the couple in this study. Conversely, I feel great latitude in the type of business I could choose to run, in spite of selecting one based on my career. The African businesswoman had no experience in child care (except for being a parent!) and took child development courses before opening her center. Her approach appears to be as unusual as it is inspirational.
(Lindberg, 1993; Laguerre, 1998)

Small business owners are independent and passionate about their work.
Quality is important to everyone I spoke with. Each immigrant took great pride in her or his work and expressed a certain strength and drive that seemed to serve as the foundation of their entrepreneurial efforts. While the German tailor adamantly denied being a businessman, he just as vociferoulsy defended his trade as an art form. Everyone had worked for others (just like I had), but the will to be self-directed gave them pleasure and brought a degree of satisfaction.
(Waldinger et al., 1990)

Small business owners could use innovative promotion strategies.
The tailoring/cleaning shop has been busy from the day the German couple opened their doors. The day care center experienced difficulties at first and traditional advertising did not work. But the center became successful through the support of network agencies that match families with appropriate care facilities. Both businesses continue to thrive and have absolutely no use for additional promotion. The Chinese restaurant experienced great growth a few years ago when they received three-and-a-half star from the Chicago Sun Times. However, they were unable to keep up the pace (problems with equipment and quality staff) and business slacked off. They could probably benefit from some targeted assistance.

FINALLY...
I have to admit that I was somewhat unprepared for the emotional aspects of my endeavor. Giving myself permission to spend time carefully listening to each of these remarkable people was an incredible gift. Specifically, I was sad that I had not previously taken time to be with those I already knew. And I feel blessed to have met with them all and received such inspirational stories about determination and perserverance. More than ever, I believe that the best way to address critical global problems rests in our individual ability to listen to, learn from, and embrace our differences. Nonrestrictive immigration is a step in that process.