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For Many Immigrants, Franchising Means Newfound Opportunity
In search of a career, immigrants are turning to the stability of franchise systems to make a life for themselves.
With just $20 in her pocket, Inson Byun came to the United States after a long journey from South Korea. This was in 1973. Byun was 23 years old and in search of opportunity.
Byun thought she found it when she fell in love and got married a short time after her arrival. But fate had greater plans in store, and a few years later, Byun found herself reeling from a divorce. Suddenly a single mother living in Dallas with only a high school education and very limited English, Byun was in desperate need of work.
Like many Korean women within Dallas’ immigrant community, Byun’s solution was to go work for a sewing company as a seam-ripper. The hours were long for such trivial pay—she was making less than minimum wage, which was under $5 at the time. When she inquired how long it’d take to see any sort of raise, her manager gave her the answer she was afraid of hearing: It would take five years before she’d be able to even make minimum wage. His response was hard to swallow, but it gave Byun the clarity she needed—there was not future in a job like this.
Byun turned to her friends, who did manicures and pedicures at nail salons. Following their lead, she began taking classes at a local beauty school, where she first learned how to do nails, then moved on to cutting hair. She eventually found a job working for a salon, and it was there that Byun’s diligent work ethic impressed management. She was promoted to shift leader, making around $2,000 a month. For that salary, she generated more than $9,000 worth of business a month. It was an important lesson.
“That’s when I discovered, wow, there is a lot of money to be made in this industry,” Byun said.
By 1996, Byun had saved up and borrowed enough money to open her first business—a Great Clips* franchise in Texas, the first-ever to hit the Lone Star state. Today, with the help of the brand’s training program, Byun is now the owner of 11 Great Clips franchises throughout Texas. She’s proud to say that she’s living comfortably and free of debt—thanks to franchising.
“Great Clips taught me everything,” Byun said. “I knew I couldn’t compete in this country based on my education, and I didn’t speak the language fluently. So I realized that I would succeed through sheer hard work. My desire to succeed in this country pulled me through. I wanted to live a healthy, happy live. By buying a franchise and doing my best, I’ve been able to achieve that.”
There are thousands of immigrants with stories just like Byun’s. According to the International Franchise Association, the role of immigrants in the business environment is increasing. One out of every six small-business owners—or 900,000 out of approximately 4.9 million—is an immigrant. In addition, according to the Immigration Research Initiative, immigrants employed 4.7 million individuals.
For franchise systems with immigrant-friendly policies, the immigrant community represents a pool of qualified, entrepreneur-spirited individuals and a pathway to system growth. And for immigrants looking to acquire a franchise from a franchisor with immigrant-friendly policies, it represents an attractive investment opportunity that maximizes chances for success and a pathway to legally reside in the United States without having to start from scratch.
“Franchising is a great way for immigrants to start a new business because it offers a ready-made system. Built in marketing programs, extensive training and entry into a community of business owners are invaluable to immigrant franchisees, who typically are still learning the ins and outs of American culture,” said Foulis Peacock, publisher of ImmigrantBiz.org, a website created for immigrant entrepreneurs.
*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.
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