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Why Hispanic and Other Ethnic American Businesses Are Doing So Well
- by Ed Coletti
Catering truck, cattle feeder, photography and videotaping service, restaurant owners, hypnotherapist, locksmith, writer/editor, interpreter/translator, importer, dog groomer, bungee-jumping park owner, hair salon, grocery store, painting contractor, general contractor, livestock seller, seamstress, upholsterer, picture framer, tool seller, landscaper, disc jockey, seafood truck owner, used car lot, mechanic, fish market, and farm labor contractor.
Q. What do each of these businesses have in common?
A. A Hispanic owner.
In my previous articles dealing with self-employment plans in general, I have shown the surprising success rate of businesses to which we have said "yes." A full 90% of such entrepreneurs remain in business after five years of operation. This pertains to Hispanics and other ethnic groups as well as to the general population of business people. In fact, the Hispanic and ethnic results may be even better.
Recently, a prominent national TV news show indicated that, in many or most other countries, the bureaucratic red tape is so extreme that capable and motivated small business candidates are forced to languish for months and even years before being permitted to establish businesses, if, in fact they ever make it through the system. Many apply for immigration to the United States, the true mecca of business opportunity. Those entrepreneurs who get here immediately open businesses. Most recently, the East Indian community has demonstrated uncanny ability to start successful businesses. This and other immigrant business groups were those who, in their countries of origin, might have been among the top entrepreneurs had they not been thwarted by the system. Consequently, here in the USA, they are similarly driven, discover opportunity, and seize it successfully.
Rosie D'Arcy of D'Arcy & Associates is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the Stockton and Modesto areas of California. She works with a largely Hispanic population. Ms. D'Arcy explains that, while relatively fewer really great opportunities have traditionally existed in the salaried market place (due primarily to the language barrier), Hispanics have been on the ascendancy in self-employment. This group, as a whole, seems to be exceptionally family-oriented, so they can rely more on sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, spouse, etc., who will chip in as necessary, not only with labor, but also with money. Seldom if ever will they leave a family member in the lurch, according to Ms. D"Arcy. She also remains in communication with her clients and mentions, for example, a used car dealer with whom we worked together several years ago and who is doing well. According to D'Arcy, "So many fewer other opportunities exist that they will do whatever it takes to succeed. Hispanic clients frequently tell her, "Rosie, we won't let you down." She states, "I think it's a real sense of honor."
"I really enjoy staying in touch and being a customer," says Rosie D'Arcy of her successful self-employment clients. For example, I helped two prospective owners of catering lunch wagons or "taco trucks" who Rosie had referred to me for counseling and evaluation. Today, they are highly successful, and she keeps in close touch and buys lunch from them.
Ms. D'Arcy also wisely points out that, "I don't refer them to you unless I feel that the person has a chance to succeed. I use the same guidelines for self-employment as I do for other types of career plans. But, I can also tell you, I have not had one Hispanic self-employment plan in California that ever failed."
I certainly share Rosie D'Arcy's enthusiasm for assisting the Hispanic entrepreneur as well as business people and candidates from all ethnic groups. By the way, I have developed an effective Spanish language self-employment questionnaire which is available either at my web site or by calling us at (707) 523-4811 (para recibir cuestionarios que tenemos en Espanol).
-Reprinted and revised from an article by Ed Coletti in the January 1996 issue of the CARRPNewsletter, official journal of the California Association of Rehabilitation and Reemployment Professionals.
See also Important Ed Coletti Feb 2003 CARRP Newsletter article: "Why Vocational Rehabilitation Is Far Superior To Settling Rehab"
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