“We serve a lot of immigrants,” said Andy Zmuda, head of Catholic Charities of Camden’s Small Business Development Program. “Word spreads quickly in ethnic communities about what we do.”
For seven years, this innovative program has been helping small businesses get off the ground, many of them immigrant-owned. Immigrants have skills, talents, and energy to contribute to a business, but lack the know-how and resources to start one. That’s where the program comes in.
“We work with clients one on one. The curriculum is their business plan,” said Zmuda. “First, we work on validating their business idea. Will it work? What is the reality of the job market? Is the market saturated with this kind of business? We answer those questions and then let the client decide whether to move forward.”
Moving forward can be a daunting process, which is why the program gives such personalized attention to each client. “We go deep with them. We become coach, therapist and mentor. We ask them to do hard things,” said Zmuda. “You have to have a relationship of trust to do that, and that relationship doesn’t come in a classroom.”
Once a viable business plan is developed, the program helps the client access a microloan fund, so they can cover start-up costs. If necessary, the program works with the client to repair their credit.
Over the years, the program has helped many immigrants start a variety of successful businesses-lawn care, security, drain cleaning, auto repair, dog grooming, janitorial work, and other businesses.
Yamin, an immigrant from Burma, lived in the United States and worked in food service for several years. He learned a lot through his work, and with a head for business, he consulted with Zmuda about his plan to open a sushi franchise. Through the agency’s IDA program, Yamin was able to save the money he needed to buy a franchise and attend the company’s franchise training, and after that, with the program’s help, he was able to secure a $15,000 loan to get the business going. It took hard work, but Yamin succeeded and today, he owns two sushi franchises and is supporting his family well.
Zmuda has seen how owning a business can help immigrants get a foothold in life and build financial stability for their families.
“Success is measured in many ways. It really depends on what people want to get out of it,” he said. “But one of our main goals is to help families get off public assistance. Self-sufficiency is exponentially liberating. It’s a better way of living life.”
First printed in Charities USA, Spring 2013. Reprinted with permission of Catholic Charities USA.
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