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Jackson Heights has been known as one of the most diverse and dynamic communities in the city with one of the highest concentrations of immigrants, many running their own businesses and making major contributions to the booming local economy.
On Oct. 24, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli came to the Lexington School for the Deaf to release a report entitled “An Economic Snapshot of the Greater Jackson Heights Area” that backs that premise.
How are they getting the capital to start and run these businesses? Are they on some sort of welfare?
Or did they already have money in their home countries, and just transfer it here? But seriously why transfer that money here, and then open a small business? Seems like it will go a lot further by staying in their own countries or going to a country that is even poorer.
How are they getting the capital to start and run these businesses? Are they on some sort of welfare?
Or did they already have money in their home countries, and just transfer it here? But seriously why transfer that money here, and then open a small business? Seems like it will go a lot further by staying in their own countries or going to a country that is even poorer.
Are you serious? Quality of life and income in the US is much higher on average than in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, etc.
How are they getting the capital to start and run these businesses? Are they on some sort of welfare?
Or did they already have money in their home countries, and just transfer it here? But seriously why transfer that money here, and then open a small business? Seems like it will go a lot further by staying in their own countries or going to a country that is even poorer.
Usually you start really small either working for someone or in a cart or a tiny stall. You either save up or you ask the larger community for investment or a small loan since your startup costs are low and banks aren’t always willing to lend money to you. We know a couple who makes these baked Chinese pastries with a variety of fillings. He and his wife had full-time other jobs where she worked night shifts and he worked dayshifts on the full-time job and did this side gig selling to friends and co-workers. After a while, they save up and with the help of a few friends set up a stall so she can quite her job and actually see her husband more often. Things did pretty alright for a while, though at some point last year they closed the stall and the pastries went back to home order only.
Where I grew up, I knew people often turned to their church community to raise money for starting small businesses (and getting customers). If you’re looking to start a small business and can’t get a bank loan, maybe you can try that?
How are they getting the capital to start and run these businesses? Are they on some sort of welfare?
I don't see anywhere where it says "recent immigrant" in the article. All it says is immigrant. That can mean someone came as a child or young adult. My contractor (in Jackson Heights) came to the US around age 18 from South America and now has a thriving contractor business at age 40. Also the guy who owns the most hip cafe in Jackson Heights, Espresso77 (there aren't that many hip cafes) is Bangladeshi. I'm not sure how old he was when he arrived here, maybe in his 20s, but I guess he's in his 40's now.
There's another very cool place in Jackson Heights that is owned by immigrants who are Dominican and his partner is Vietnamese. They own a great wine shop and across the street a very successful tapas and wine place. They have most likely been here for some years as well, although they both have accents so they didn't come as children.
I guess the immigrants who bring thriving business to Jackson Heights are just living the American dream -- come here at whatever age, and work hard and improve your life, and be entrepreneurial.
Good question tho, is it better to honestly be rich in the USA or in India? When you're making a certain amount of coin, does it even matter?
I think it's a strange question. Presumably, if they are immigrants, as opposed to visiting foreigners, they moved here for good, to set up a life and settle here. So why should they go back to their original country to open a business if they are US citizens, or permanent residents, now?
The question comes up a lot on this forum about when people are unhappy in NYC "why don't you just move" and the answer is usually having to stay here due to jobs, commitments here, family living here, etc. and the same is probably true of these immigrants. Just because someone originally came from another country doesn't mean they are not committed here and settled here.
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