The growing Southeast Asian community of Queens has many a hurdle to jump through. In Queens alone, the community owns roughly 40% of all immigrant entrepreneurship/businesses, and are considerably higher on the socioeconomic scale than their Caribbean/Latino counterparts.

Despite these significant statistics, the community does face its own struggles. Since the 2008 market meltdown, according to a study by the Chhaya CDC organization, a disproportionate number of Southeast Asian-Americans (immigrant and native) possess college degrees, but are unable to find work. Because of this fait accompli, many are starting their own businesses as an attempt to become self-sufficient, or work in their own family’s businesses. The latter is often looked down upon by the family as well as the community at large, as elder generations do not wish for their children/grandchildren to start from the previous generation’s station (working low-skilled labor for long periods of time).