Redefining the Better Business Blueprint: Immigrant Entrepreneurs in America

ATLANTA– Many members of the immigrant community subscribe to a particular aspect of the American dream–  business ownership.

For many immigrants, the concept of the American capitalistic economy speaks to a message of hope and success for themselves and their offspring. Even though success is not guaranteed, the potential for success from taking the risk of starting their own business motivates many immigrants. This idea is reflected in reality. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), immigrants own a higher percentage of businesses than natural born American citizens.

Ernest Mensah was a skilled mechanic  in his birth country Ghana. He immigrated to the United States in 1999. Because of his prior knowledge and work experience, he already had a clear vision in mind of what he wanted out of his opportunity to move to the United States– open his own mechanic service.

“When I first came to the United States, it was a little challenging,” Mensah said. “I started off working in a Publix warehouse. I worked there for twelve years. After saving enough money, I opened my shop.”

His shop, called Gilmen’s Auto Repair, is located in Lawrenceville, Ga. 

Although, today, his lot is never empty, it took time for Ernest to become the success story that he is. Much of the problem getting started he attributes to difficulty finding clients.

“In the beginning it was very slow because I don’t do commercials,” Mensah said. “I was also a foreigner, nobody knew me.”

However, Mensah is good at what he does. Over time, through word of mouth, his business grew into a success. Now, his next goal is to buy more garages to expand his business.

Though times were not always easy, Mensah attributes his success to the experience he gained from the life he once had back in Ghana.

“I went to school for four years and had my own shop back home,” Mensah said. “I think that experience, along with my desire and hard work are what made me what I am now.”

For Mensah and many others who have immigrated to America, personal edification is a popular motivating factor for their move. But, another common reason many people choose to move to the United States is to provide better opportunities for their children.

America is viewed as a beacon of endless opportunity for parents or those planning to have a family. Many immigrant parents embrace the idea that, even if their own dreams don’t materialize, their children will have numerous life and career opportunities, one of them being owning their own business. 

According to a 2022 Forbes article: The Benefits Of Being A First-Generation American In Business, 20% of businesses in America are owned by first-generation immigrants. Shaheym Drummond, of Jamaican and Dominican descent,  and Jorge Garcia Vega, a Mexican-American are two examples of this demographic. 

Vega is a self-described “adrenaline junkie”, and seeks a thrill out of most things he does. His job is no exception.

“I love the feeling of being in the air,” Vega said. “Sure, it can be scary at times, but the equipment is pretty safe, and the little scare is what makes it fun!”

Vega is the owner of Toptree Masters Tree Service, a Tree service company in Cumming, Ga.

He acknowledges the sacrifice his parents made when they came to the U.S., leaving behind family, friends, and the only life they had ever known. That understanding is part of what pushed him to start his own business.

“The American dream, at least to me, is that you can own something,” Vega said. “You can start something and watch it grow. My parents came here for a better future for our family, for me and my siblings. I feel like by having my own business, I’m accomplishing that in a way.”

Shaheym Drummond’s culture plays a bit of a different role in his life and business.

At a glance, Shaheym Drummond is a 22-year-old psychology student at KSU, but a closer look would reveal that he doubles as a jewelry designer and co-owner of the brand Santa Mafia. The brand aims for timelessness with a dash of ‘contemporary flair’ as Drummond describes it. 

Drummond’s inspiration to step into the design world came from his love for accessories, namely jewelry.

“I like jewelry,” Drummond said. “I think it improves every outfit, and I think if you look good you feel good. However, I would have certain ideas of jewelry and look them up to buy, but I couldn’t find the specific designs I wanted.”

Drummond originally began designing pieces just for himself. 

“I realized I could just make my own jewelry, and then I could wear whatever I wanted all the time,” He said. “Since I was doing that, I was like: ‘I might as well just sell them to other people with my same taste.’”

After three years of designs, patents, and other startup responsibilities, in early June of this year, Drummond released his first commercial piece, a ring with a rose engraving on the top. An idea he got from an anime he watched as a child.

“In the show, this dude got punched in the face, and the attacker’s ring left an imprint of the engraving on the guy’s face,” Drummond said. “I’ve always thought that was cool, the idea of having a ring that leaves a design behind.”

Photo/ Instagram @thesantamafia

Drummond’s cultural roots in island nations play a large role in the way he approaches life, with a cool demeanor and a relaxed lifestyle.

“I think in America, we have an illusion of choice and free-will,” Drummond said. “Everyone feels pressure, everyday, to drain themselves in their jobs and all these other aspects of life. In Jamaica, life is much simpler. You’re born, you go to work, eat, and go to the beach. In America there are so many options and choices, people destroy themselves trying to choose the one that makes the most money. In Jamaica people just want to be happy. That’s my approach to life, simple happiness.”

Drummond’s approach to life is apparent in his design process as well.

He says he does not brainstorm or force himself to come up with designs. Rather, he takes life and its experiences as they come, and those life experiences are what give him ideas for his art.

For many people America is a symbol of limitless potential, inspiring them to build businesses, families, or simply start anew. Whatever they dream to do, they know they can do it here.