Today, I have the pleasure of welcoming Nai Zhao, the founder of Charcuterie Me. Portland-based Charcuterie Me was founded with a simple goal—bringing people together through the joy of food.
Inspired by the founder’s own family gatherings, where laughter and stories were always shared around the dinner table, Charcuterie Me aims to recreate that sense of connection.
Their beautifully crafted charcuterie boards, filled with meats, cheeses, and accompaniments, make entertaining easy by taking the hassle out of preparation, so customers can focus on enjoying the moment with their loved ones.
Nai's story is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants and reflects the rich tapestry that has built this country.
Read: The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Immigrants: Building America’s Future
Understanding Immigration
An immigrant is someone who moves permanently to a foreign country, seeking to establish a new life. Immigration represents the global movement of individuals who leave their homeland to settle in a new place.
Currently, approximately 3.4 percent of the global population—around 258 million people—are international migrants. Interestingly, almost three-quarters of these immigrants come from less-developed nations, highlighting the diverse backgrounds and experiences they bring with them.
The Role of Immigrants in America
There's ongoing debate about whether America was founded by immigrants, but one fact remains clear: the United States hosts more immigrants than any other country today. Historically, Germany led the way in sending immigrants to America before 1965, after which Mexico took the lead. This shift wasn't due to World War II; rather, it stemmed from immigration quotas established based on the 1890 population.
Before 1965, discriminatory laws effectively froze the demographics of the immigrant population, particularly impacting Asian Americans. As a result, the changing demographics of immigration became evident only in the latter part of the 20th century.
Recent trends indicate that as more Americans leave Middle America, immigrants are helping to stabilize population levels in these areas. A 2014 study by the Chicago Council found that several metropolitan regions experienced growth solely due to their immigrant populations, underscoring their importance in revitalizing local economies.
Why Entrepreneurs Should Care
The economic contributions of immigrants are significant. During and after World War II, the U.S. faced labor shortages and began encouraging seasonal labor from Mexico, resulting in the arrival of approximately 2 million Mexican immigrants between 1942 and 1964. This historical context illustrates how immigrants have consistently filled critical labor gaps.
According to the Bush Center, immigrants play a vital role in fueling the economy. They enhance the productive capacity and contribute to GDP growth, with studies suggesting that immigrants can increase the GDP by $36 to $72 billion annually. Furthermore, they often enter industries facing labor shortages, helping to prevent bottlenecks that could hinder economic growth.
From 2010 to 2020, the U.S. experienced its slowest population growth since the 1930s, highlighting the need for future immigration to maintain a healthy workforce and support economic growth. Projections indicate that the U.S. should double its immigration levels to remain competitive and uphold crucial fiscal programs like Social Security.
Immigrants are remarkably entrepreneurial, starting businesses at twice the rate of native-born Americans and creating numerous job opportunities. Their contributions are significant, with immigrants adding $2 trillion to the U.S. GDP in 2016 and paying $458.7 billion in taxes in 2018. Despite misconceptions, immigrants contribute substantially to the economy.
Conclusion
The proposed cuts to our legal immigration system pose severe risks, potentially shrinking GDP by 2% over two decades and jeopardizing millions of jobs—especially in Rust Belt states that rely on immigration to bolster their populations and economies.
As I often emphasize on this platform, we are all part of a global community of entrepreneurs. Our identities are shaped by our diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Robert F. Kennedy once said, “Our attitude towards immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal.”
We must remember that opportunities should not be limited by race or place of birth.
The American ideal embodies the American dream—a vision I share, where we envision a vibrant world of global entrepreneurs. Thank you for joining me in this conversation with Nai Zhao, and for celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit that drives us all.
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