Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

"Wherever we look upon this earth, the opportunities take shape within the problems."

—Nelson Rockefeller

(WHEN the economy tanks and the unemployment rate is shooting through the roof, big government as well as big and medium-sized businesses cannot be depended upon to provide the spark that jumpstarts a moribund economy back to life. No jobs. No breaks. No doleouts. Nowhere to turn to. There is no other choice but to look at one’s self for the opportunities that a hostile environment such as what we have now, can’t provide. Immigrants seem to have a slight edge when it comes to survival skills. The reason is that immigrant groups throughout American history always had it tough.)

Despite the enforcement of harsh and restrictive laws that targeted certain ethnic groups, ethnic business niches began with small and tentative success experiences gained by a few trailblazing immigrants within certain communities. Barred from entering the mainstream work force, many had no choice but to go into tiny businesses catering to their own communities as a means to survive. The success formula of one or a few is quickly copied and transferred to others within the community, thus building a momentum where many go into the same business and succeed as well until a saturation level is reached and new industry niches need to be discovered and explored.

There are distinct differences among cultures and it must be noted that certain cultures are more predisposed to going into particular business than others. Risk-taking as a cultural trait seems to be more pronounced in some ethnic groups than in others. Those that have language difficulties and have a long historical and cultural background of setting up retail outlets from one generation to the other in their home countries are more predisposed to transferring their business skills into their new environment, learning as much as they can on their own and from observation.

Certain groups like Jews and Armenians have long histories of being involved in business in every area around the world where they settle. This tradition is passed down from one generation to the next because the family has had the experience, the know-how, the contacts, the business secrets, and the advantage of having start-up capital.

Others without such a business tradition or built-in advantage go into business because they have no other choice. With little or no English language skills and even if they are well educated and hold extensive experience, they could not find employment in the general job market comparable to what they had before in the old country. Rather than take on jobs that for them might be demeaning, they have chosen to set themselves up in business.

Each ethnic group has shown expertise in handling businesses in certain identifiable niches. Among those who have exhibited entrepreneurial skills that have resulted in establishing specific businesses include:

• Koreans who are known for operating grocery stores, liquor stores, dry cleaning shops, restaurants, appliance stores and many other businesses;
• Asian Indians and Pakistanis who own convenience stores, food-service and delis, lodging facilities in the hotel and motel industry, and jewelry kiosks and stores;
• Cambodians who are particularly noted for operating retail bakeries and thousands of doughnut shops in many locations in metropolitan areas;
• Filipinos who buy up and convert homes and operate nursing facilities for seniors, the handicapped and the infirm; small restaurants and food markets;
• Thais who run restaurants that offer their distinctive culinary fare;
• Armenians and immigrants from the Middle East who have the rug and carpet, jewelry business and automotive repair business cornered;
• Vietnamese who are more than likely to own beauty shops and nail salons (some regulations covering nail salons in some states are written in the Vietnamese language indicating that they have cornered this industry niche as experienced manicurists);
• Chinese who operate banks, oriental food markets, hotels, dry cleaners; import and export businesses, manufacturing and countless restaurants, among many others.