Asian Indian Chamber helps make connections
By: Melissa Morgan
When Monmouth Junction resident Seema Singh needed to increase business at her law firm, she relied on her culture to find a steady client base and companionship at the same time.
Four years ago Ms. Singh, the governor’s new public advocate, joined the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce. One of the few lawyers in the group at the time, she said that becoming a member helped her business prosper.
"This was my way of bringing business to my firm," she said. "I thought the best way to do it would be to find other Asian Indians, and now they trust me. If they need a lawyer, they look to me as their representative."
Ms. Singh now serves as vice president of the organization and said that becoming a member is a great way for Asian Indians to get involved in the business field, learn new skills and find a network of support among people with similar backgrounds.
"There sometimes is a lot of competition amongst fourth-generation Indians in business," she said. "This groups helps us become open, listen to each other and trust each other."
Ms. Singh said the organization started seven years ago as a nonprofit group to help Asian-Indian business people in New Jersey work and network together. She encourages other Asian Indians to use each other and the organization as valuable resources.
With the state population of Asian-Americans steadily on the rise, Ms. Singh said that the organization is becoming more popular and important. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Asian-American population saw a 77 percent increase between 1990 and 2000. Among these groups, Asian Indians were the fastest growing Asian population, with an increase of 113 percent.
Ms. Singh said the increase in population is leading to a much larger number of Asian Indians involved in business, especially the fields of medicine, retail and information technology. She said many Asian Indians are being recruited by larger companies and then are eventually venturing out on their own.
"Companies like AT&T and Merrill Lynch are starting global divisions, so they are hiring more Asian Indians to help them get business from those communities," she said. "But in big companies, they often hit a glass ceiling and once they get experience, they can start their own businesses."
Though Asian Indians often find success in business-related fields, Ms. Singh said immigrants face an many challenges when they decide to start over in a new country.
"There are barriers in India like corruption," she said. "But here in the United States, they have to struggle to be accepted because of prejudices. They are affected by appearance and the way they dress. This might sound minor but it is very hard to fit in and learn to understand a different culture."
Ms. Singh said, however, that most Asian Indian’s overcome these cultural barriers easily due to a strong motivation to succeed.
"They are extremely successful in business because they work extra hard and have no inhibitions," she said. "These people have left their homes and come to the land of opportunity because they want to have the best life. In order to do that, they will work hard and do whatever they need to do."
To help Asian Indians continue to be successful, Ms. Singh said the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce can play a major role. She said membership has been increasing recently, and it is important for people to rely on each other for help and support.
"People can use the group to learn how to overcome obstacles and do business," she said. "With the wide range of businesses represented, people can advertise themselves but it is also about getting involved with the community and for the social aspects. The Chamber’s motto is to use each other."
For more information about the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce, call (732) 283-4141.