Written by Claire Weiss, GGAL Program Mentor
Introduction
Entrepreneurship is more than just about starting a business – it is also a pathway to financial freedom and self-empowerment. For refugee and immigrant women, entrepreneurship can provide opportunities that traditional employment may not, allowing them to overcome language barriers, cultural differences, restrictive employment policies, and systemic challenges. By creating their businesses, these women not only support their families but also contribute to their communities in meaningful ways and get to use skills they are confident in.
What is Entrepreneurship?
So first, let’s address what entrepreneurship is and what it refers to. Entrepreneurship includes creating, developing, and running a business. The goal is to make a profit by solving a problem or fulfilling a need in the market. Another way of looking at it is a solution that fixes or addresses an issue that people have. It involves innovation, dedication, hard work, bootstrapping, risk-taking, and leadership skills (NU, 2025) 2025). Entrepreneurs identify gaps in the market (needs that people have but are not yet met) and take that opportunity to provide solutions through products, services, or technology.
Why Entrepreneurship Matters for Refugee & Immigrant Women
Refugee and immigrant women oftentimes face unique barriers when looking for a traditional job: limited professional networks, language barriers, and discrimination (IRC, 2025). Entrepreneurship provides an alternative route to employment, allowing them to utilize their unique skills, cultural knowledge, and personal experiences to create businesses that serve various communities. It also offers the potential for financial independence and economic mobility, which is essential for achieving long-term stability.
How is Entrepreneurship Empowering?
Entrepreneurship empowers individuals by fostering independence, confidence, and financial stability (GLION, 2024). It allows women to take control of their futures, providing them with the flexibility to balance work and family responsibilities. Additionally, entrepreneurship enables women to challenge societal and gender norms, build strong professional networks, and inspire future generations.
What are some Examples of Entrepreneurial Ideas
There are countless entrepreneurial paths that refugee and immigrant women can pursue. The sky's the limit when it comes to entrepreneurship. Ideas might include:
Food Services: Catering, bakeries, and restaurants specializing in traditional cuisines.
Craft Businesses: Handmade clothing, jewelry, or home decor reflecting cultural heritage.
Childcare Services: Providing culturally competent daycare services for their communities.
Technology & Online Businesses: Digital marketing, or remote freelance work.
Personal Services: Hair specializations, nail technician, tailoring, translation, and tutoring services.
How to Become an Entrepreneur
Starting a business requires careful planning. Some key steps include (SBA, 2025):
Identify a business idea: Find a product or service that meets market demand.
Conduct market research: Understand the competition, potential customers, and scale how much demand there is.
Create a business plan: Outline long-term and short-term goals, target audience, financial projections, and strategies.
Find funding: Explore grants, microloans, or community funding opportunities.
Build a network: Connect with mentors, business associations, and local organizations.
Register the business: Ensure compliance with legal and tax regulations.
Market and grow the business: Use social media and community relationships to attract customers.
Challenges & How to Overcome Them
Refugee and immigrant women entrepreneurs often face challenges such as (IPC, 2005):
Access to capital: Many lack credit history or collateral which makes it difficult to secure loans.
Solution: Seek out microfinance institutions and grants specifically designed for women and/or refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs.
Cultural and language hurdles: Navigating a new business environment can be challenging when there are differing norms and language barriers.
Solution: Utilize mentorship programs, language courses, and business training workshops.
Legal issues: Understanding permits, taxes, and legal requirements can be daunting for anyone, but especially for anyone who might not have full native language skills in a different country.
Solution: Work with legal aid organizations and small business development centers.
Social and family expectations: Balancing entrepreneurial ambitions with family duties can be difficult.
Solution: Build a support network of fellow women entrepreneurs with similar experiences.
Programs Supporting Refugee & Immigrant Women Entrepreneurs
Several organizations provide support to refugee and immigrant women pursuing entrepreneurship.
Local organizations:
Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment: Offering mentorship and skill-building opportunities.
MN Department of Employment and Economic Development: Entrepreneur, Startup, and Small Business Support Organizations.
Neighborhood Development Center: Community-based nonprofit organization that helps emerging entrepreneurs develop successful businesses that build stronger neighborhood economies. It invests in low-income neighborhoods in the Greater MSP region and greater Minnesota.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of St. Thomas: helps business owners develop strategies, attract customers, increase sales and improve profitability.
National Organization:
Score: Provide free and confidential advice to entrepreneurs and small business owners in every industry.
SBA Women’s Business Centers: Providing resources, consulting, and funding opportunities, contains all the tips and tricks on how to start a small business in America.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC): Helps refugees with business training and microloans.
Kiva Microloans: Offers small, interest-free loans to help entrepreneurs launch their businesses.
How WISE Helps Young Women Prepare & Develop Skills to be Entrepreneurially Successful
WISE provides young women, including refugees and immigrants, with the resources and training necessary to succeed in entrepreneurship. Their programs focus on:
Business and financial literacy: Teaching the fundamentals of managing finances, budgeting, and business operations.
Leadership development: Empowering young women with the confidence and skills needed to lead their businesses.
Workshops and educational programs: Offering courses on resume building, interview prep, time management.
Mentorship: Providing encouragement and support in all academic excellence.
The Future of Women’s Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for empowerment, particularly for refugee and immigrant women seeking employment and independence. By fostering innovation, resilience, and financial autonomy, women entrepreneurs can break barriers and transform communities. Organizations like WISE play a crucial role in providing the education and support needed to help women thrive and learn about all the opportunities there are. As more women embrace entrepreneurship, the future looks bright for an inclusive and diverse economy where all women have the opportunity to succeed.
If you are interested in starting your entrepreneurial journey, a Harvard Business Services article has everything you need to get started. It contains information from types of visas and how to get a green card to educating on types of business structures and how to register your business. Find the article at Entrepreneurship Guide for Immigrants and Refugees.
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