Immigrant Small Businesses: Challenges & Solutions

The immense contribution of immigrants who started small businesses in the United States is undeniable. It has been a driving force economically and culturally across the country. This course examines reasons why so many immigrants have become entrepreneurs, what has contributed to their success, and what challenges they have overcome. Dr. Joyce Moy, executive director of the Asian American and Asian Research Institute for the City University of New York, shares her experiences and insights into the immigrant business community in New York and across the nation.

 

In this course, Moy will discuss how people continue to underestimate the contributions minority immigrant businesses have made to the nation’s economic and cultural growth. She discusses why so many small businesses started by immigrants are successful; the types of businesses typically chosen by minority immigrants as start-ups, particularly the Asian community; skills gap that exist in the immigrant small business community, including technical and basic financial knowledge; and how community and trade groups can address the current skills gap. Moy also talks about common challenges for all small businesses and why it is imperative for local trade and community organizations to work as a bridge between small business owners and local regulatory agencies. She discusses what the corporate world can learn from the immigrant business community.