Stories of Immigrants Who Started Businesses in Brooklyn

Brooklyn has long been a beacon for immigrants chasing the American Dream. It is known for its cultural diversity and entrepreneurial spirit. You will rarely find a street without at least two businesses owned by immigrants.

People come here with suitcases, skills, and dreams, often starting from scratch in a place that feels nothing like home. But over time, they build something tangible: a bakery that reminds people of their childhood, a tech school that gives others a second chance, or a small shop that becomes the soul of a neighbourhood.

These are more than just businesses. They’re lifelines, community hubs, and proof that determination can rewrite any story. The path isn’t easy, and the odds are rarely in their favour, but somehow, they find a way. This article shares the journeys of immigrants who made Brooklyn their home and built something meaningful along the way.

Top Immigrant Business Owners in Brooklyn

Some immigrants have inspiring rags-to-riches stories. They came to Brooklyn without a dollar in their pockets, but today they boast of thriving businesses. Their stories show how far courage and hard work can take you. Below are the stories of some immigrant entrepreneurs who have successfully built their businesses with little or no funding:

Joyce Keihm — Hair Heaven

Joyce was one of the first South Koreans to live in Bay Ridge when she arrived in Brooklyn in 1984. It was difficult navigating the American business as a salonist with little to no experience in American hair and very limited capital. But she had her passion for hair and a goal, which together made up the recipe for her success.

Joyce incorporated traditional hair care with modern hair styling even before it became mainstream in American salons. This made her stand out. After over 30 years of starting her business as an immigrant in Brooklyn, Hair Heaven has established itself as one of the best salons in the area, boasting a strong and loyal clientele.

Lena Derisavifard — BiBi Bakery

Lena’s story is that of passion and resilience. Lena is an Iranian immigrant and the owner of BiBi Bakery. This pastry shop specializes in crafting exquisite Iranian pastries, including the cardamom-rose baklava and saffron ice cream sandwich.

For Lena, it wasn’t always about baking. She holds a degree in engineering and has worked in finance and healthcare for a while before transitioning into baking. Despite investing all her life savings, she still struggled to raise enough capital to make her bakery dream come true.

However, her desire to share her Iranian culture with the world through ethnic dishes drove her to apply and participate in the New York-based non-profit food business called Hot Bread Kitchen. She pitched her business idea and won the funding she needed for her business. Currently, she hopes to expand her business further while still serving Iranian dishes.

Jenny Chong — Chiquita Mexican Grill

Jenny left her home in Malaysia for Brooklyn 37 years ago in search of a dream. She now owns a restaurant called Chiquita Mexican Grill, located between 83rd and 84th Streets on Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, which thrives on the unique Mexican dishes she creates.

Like most immigrants starting a business, Jenny had started hers on a small budget. However, she has gone ahead to mentor several culinary interns over the years. She is a recognized figure among Brooklyn’s immigrant business community.

Dolly Williams —A. Williams Construction

Dolly Williams was born in Trinidad but moved to Brooklyn in 1971. Together with her husband, Dolly co-founded A. Williams Construction. What started as a trucking and backhoe trenching company is now a multi-million-dollar general contracting firm in Brooklyn. This company recently won the Small Business Administration’s Contractor of the Year Award.

Fatima Abdullah — S & J Grocery Store

25 years ago, Fatima left Yemen for Brooklyn. She is now an established grocery store owner on Fifth Avenue, near 8th Street. S&J was once a regular shop on the street corner of Brooklyn borough. However, Fatima transformed it into a halal market where other Middle Eastern and North African immigrants could get halal meat, Yemeni spices, and anything that gave them a taste of home.

Her perseverance through challenges, such as the language barrier, and her dedication to putting in long hours to build her business, even while being a mother, make her story relatable and motivational, especially among immigrant mothers.

Jeff Lindor — The Gentlemen’s Factory

Jeff was born in Haiti but migrated to Brooklyn in 1989. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s degree in Urban Policy Analysis and Management. Before choosing the path of entrepreneurship, Jeff worked as a personal banker and then as an advisor to the commissioner of the New York City Department of Corrections, before making his notable career switch.

In 2014, he founded the Gentlemen Factory, an organization with the primary goal of empowering men of colour. He was determined to eliminate the stigma and discrimination they faced. As such, he turned them into men of quality by equipping them with entrepreneurial skills and connecting them to investors and resources.

Hakki Akdeniz — Champion Pizza

When it comes to a typical grass-to-grace story, Hakki’s story is one for the books. Hakki is a Kurdish immigrant from Turkey and the founder of Champion Pizza in Brooklyn. He had come to Brooklyn in 2001 as a homeless person till he saved a reasonable amount of money to start his first pizzeria business in 2009.

Today, Champion Pizza is not only known in Brooklyn but has also spread throughout New York City. Hakki has established different branches in other boroughs of the city. His pizza is enjoyed by many because of its thin crust and variety of toppings. He is also known for his selfless community service, which includes giving free Champion Pizza to homeless shelters in Brooklyn.

From Hustle to High Stakes: How One Immigrant Found Success in the Online Casino World

Not all immigrant success stories in Brooklyn come from storefronts and street corners. Some are built in the digital world. Take the story of Miguel Santos, who moved from the Philippines to Flatbush with a background in IT and a passion for gaming.

After struggling to land a steady job, Miguel began exploring opportunities in online casinos, not as a player, but as an affiliate marketer. He started a blog reviewing platforms, breaking down odds, and educating newcomers about safe gambling practices.

His content gained traction, especially when he started covering promotions such as welcome packages and the popular birthday bonus options. Today, Miguel runs a profitable affiliate business, collaborates with major casino brands, and even mentors others in the digital marketing space. His journey proves that sometimes, innovation and a little bit of risk can pay off—even in the world of online gaming.

Businesses Dominated by Immigrant Groups in Brooklyn

Although there are no sectors unoccupied by immigrants of a particular group, they’re spread across every job sector. However, some immigrant groups are more dominant in some sectors than in others. The table below shows some of the industries where you’d find immigrants and which immigrant groups are dominating them.

Conclusion

Brooklyn remains a canvas for immigrants who dare to dream big. Each storefront and street cart tells a story of sacrifice, ambition, and resilience. The story of Brooklyn’s ever-evolving economy cannot be told without highlighting the impact of immigrant entrepreneurs.

These entrepreneurs represent more than economic success; they are examples of how immigration fuels innovation, builds communities, and preserves cultural heritage. Despite language barriers, financial challenges, and unfamiliar systems, these individuals built something from nothing.