Somalis in the UK: The Need for Our Own Businesses

[Idilinaa]

Wow mashallah rer uk i didnt know they were doing that good.

I wouldn't say they are on par with American Somalis, Australian or UAE Somalis who are in more open market capitalist environments

But they are doing better than mainland Europeans Somalis because of the more open business climate, with less barriers. It's one of the biggest reasons why mainland European Somalis move there

Also one other thing to note Somalis don't just engage in business out of survival or necessity. They have a general tendency to start businesses even after all their basic needs are met. Big time oppurtunists

Which runs contrary to most Muslim entrepeneurship it seems which is driven by necessity and they are more negatively associated with business activity.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342710392_Islam_institutions_and_entrepreneurship_evidence_from_Muslim_populations_across_nations

 

[Idilinaa]

where’s africans and asians and caribbean’s?

West Asian = Asian? . I assume they are looking at communities who came to Britain in more recent decades.

 

[Chaseyourdreamzz]

UK Somalis aren’t doing that bad sure it’s not America level of business ownership but I’ve been to northwest London lots of Somali businesses in that area

 

[Chaseyourdreamzz]

Reer UK are a few decades behind Reer USA. Its actually astonishing.

Minnesota:
- Charter schools
- Established Somali built, Somali run masjid / community center
- Clear imprint on the local economy
- Political representation

I do accept the argument that specifically London is a city which is global and too diverse to do what Somali diaspora did in MN however what about the other cities (Birmingham, Leicester, Sheffield, etc). Its really hard to pinpoint why honestly

You can’t compare uk to America the states is the land of opportunity also the areas Somalis live in America are smaller cities which have lower costs of living Birmingham is a more international city then most places Somalis live in America

 

[Angelina]

Thats not accurate. Like someone else explained there are tutoring centers and charter schools aren't really a thing in the UK.

There is also many many mosques and community centers, follow this link you will see a whole list of them

Somali Community Hub​

The CSO Member Organisations

There is also a clear imprint on the local economy in London , so that is also not true.

The Changing Face of Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship in Britain​

As far as political representation goes , there has been dozens of Somalis elected into political office as local councilors across cities.

Record number of Somalis elected as UK Councillors

Record number of Somalis elected as UK Councillors

London (HOL) - 26 Brits of Somali origin were elected as local councillors in cities across the UK on Thursday, setting a record number for the number Somali-Brits were elected into public office.

www.hiiraan.com

In London alone, there are at least more than 10 masjids owned by Somalis. We have community centres and there are many tuition centers owned by Somalis in West London, South, East and North London. A good % of currency shops are owned by Somalis. We have more than 10 Somali restaurants around London of all types. Very Casual to the type of restaurants you'd go for a nice evening dinner. We have dozens of care places that employ a good % of Somali women and the list continues.

My whole point is, as a community we have a lot of issues but lack of businesses isn’t one of them and knowing how business savvy Somalis are InshaAllah we are sure to have more businesses as well.

Oh and guess what, now they have nice brunch places as well that you wouldn’t think are Somali owned. Really nice egg Benedict and I even had waffle and chicken with maple syrup. Since I love supporting Somalis I went there as soon as I heard it was Somali owned. I love a good breakie/brunch. Prefer to give my hard earned cash to my Somali brother than a random.

Please Somalis are Business oriented MashaAllah!

 

[Riftvalley]

Reer UK are a few decades behind Reer USA. Its actually astonishing.

Minnesota:
- Charter schools
- Established Somali built, Somali run masjid / community center
- Clear imprint on the local economy
- Political representation

I do accept the argument that specifically London is a city which is global and too diverse to do what Somali diaspora did in MN however what about the other cities (Birmingham, Leicester, Sheffield, etc). Its really hard to pinpoint why honestly

It is very simple. The Somali men who came in the 90s looted from the government by way of opening charities under the Somali name which all did nothing and neglected the youth. These charities were basically different qabils using the Somali card to get funding and then put on performative youth activities. This extends to the business models where most cafes and other business are basically tuulo-like places which makes in feel like he is in his village back home.

Other minority communities are more business savvy than UK Somalis simply because they don’t have sub clans and they do things on a larger scale. When I go jogging in this particular place in London, I see lots of Asians communities playing volleyball together (Sri Lankans, Goans) and all the families are involved. Somalis in the UK barely do anything together anymore on a community level( which is not based on qabil divides). These kinds of networks in other communities have is what leads to people starting business together and it builds an element of trust.

Of course, some young Somalis are starting more business but it is nothing major because their elders failed to build community resources which can be passed down. The rest of the community lives through wage to wage or under poverty. And those Somalis who are educated and business savvy, tend to stay in corporate jobs rather than investing in business, as they don’t have the necessary networks and they know doing business with Somalis can be chaotic/primitive.

I am not sure as to the psychological reasons behind this? Perhaps it is due to generous benefits system of the 90s? Or perhaps a lot of tribalist people moved from tuulo regions of Somalia?

 

[Idilinaa]

In London alone, there are at least more than 10 masjids owned by Somalis. We have community centres and there are many tuition centers owned by Somalis in West London, South, East and North London. A good % of currency shops are owned by Somalis. We have more than 10 Somali restaurants around London of all types. Very Casual to the type of restaurants you'd go for a nice evening dinner. We have dozens of care places that employ a good % of Somali women and the list continues.

My whole point is, as a community we have a lot of issues but lack of businesses isn’t one of them and knowing how business savvy Somalis are InshaAllah we are sure to have more businesses as well.

Oh and guess what, now they have nice brunch places as well that you wouldn’t think are Somali owned. Really nice egg Benedict and I even had waffle and chicken with maple syrup. Since I love supporting Somalis I went there as soon as I heard it was Somali owned. I love a good breakie/brunch. Prefer to give my hard earned cash to my Somali brother than a random.

Please Somalis are Business oriented MashaAllah!

The restaurant part was a bit confusing when he said that because i see a bunch of them advertised on social media and the venues look nice as well.

They been opening a bunch of them not just Damaal it seems.

Even 50 cent visited one of the Somali resturaunts in London, so they are quite popular:

 

[Idilinaa]

It is very simple. The Somali men who came in the 90s looted from the government by way of opening charities under the Somali name which all did nothing and neglected the youth. These charities were basically different qabils using the Somali card to get funding and then put on performative youth activities. This extends to the business models where most cafes and other business are basically tuulo-like places which makes in feel like he is in his village back home.

Other minority communities are more business savvy than UK Somalis simply because they don’t have sub clans and they do things on a larger scale. When I go jogging in this particular place in London, I see lots of Asians communities playing volleyball together (Sri Lankans, Goans) and all the families are involved. Somalis in the UK barely do anything together anymore on a community level( which is not based on qabil divides). These kinds of networks in other communities have is what leads to people starting business together and it builds an element of trust.

Of course, some young Somalis are starting more business but it is nothing major because their elders failed to build community resources which can be passed down. The rest of the community lives through wage to wage or under poverty. And those Somalis who are educated and business savvy, tend to stay in corporate jobs rather than investing in business, as they don’t have the necessary networks and they know doing business with Somalis can be chaotic/primitive.

I am not sure as to the psychological reasons behind this? Perhaps it is due to generous benefits system of the 90s? Or perhaps a lot of tribalist people moved from tuulo regions of Somalia?

How are those organizations putting on performative youth activities? And how is setting up funds for youth activities looting the government?

Do Somalis in the UK seperate eachother based on Qabil? Or it just Somaliland and Somalia divide?

Because i usually see Somali do business and deal with eachother across clan lines otherwise. And if that clan division was really a thing i would suspect it would come up on studies and interviews with Somalis.

Also most ethnic minority businesses are similar to Somali businesses, they don't open up anything grand in central locations. People create businesses where they live, its not a tuulo thing. Asians move into a neighborhood, they set up shops etc.

Larger enterprises, expertise oriented services and corporations usually require larger investment capital and extensive professional knowledge, and networks, which takes decades to build.

Becoming employed in corporate jobs, professional fields is a good avenue for Somalis to reach that and those that do later on start ventures like that, this is how ''world remit'' corporation became a thing and you also see this with a couple of clinics and pharmacies Somalis set up after working professionally in the health care industry. Bilan Medical clinic, Private Walkin in Clinic to mention a few,

 

[Angelina]

It is very simple. The Somali men who came in the 90s looted from the government by way of opening charities under the Somali name which all did nothing and neglected the youth. These charities were basically different qabils using the Somali card to get funding and then put on performative youth activities. This extends to the business models where most cafes and other business are basically tuulo-like places which makes in feel like he is in his village back home.

Other minority communities are more business savvy than UK Somalis simply because they don’t have sub clans and they do things on a larger scale. When I go jogging in this particular place in London, I see lots of Asians communities playing volleyball together (Sri Lankans, Goans) and all the families are involved. Somalis in the UK barely do anything together anymore on a community level( which is not based on qabil divides). These kinds of networks in other communities have is what leads to people starting business together and it builds an element of trust.

Of course, some young Somalis are starting more business but it is nothing major because their elders failed to build community resources which can be passed down. The rest of the community lives through wage to wage or under poverty. And those Somalis who are educated and business savvy, tend to stay in corporate jobs rather than investing in business, as they don’t have the necessary networks and they know doing business with Somalis can be chaotic/primitive.

I am not sure as to the psychological reasons behind this? Perhaps it is due to generous benefits system of the 90s? Or perhaps a lot of tribalist people moved from tuulo regions of Somalia?

False and false. Somalis do business with each other regardless of Qabil. You’re definitely not very clued up about businesses amongst Somalis and are stuck in the 90s-2001 one era. All that you’ve said is dated walal. It’s not the case anymore.

 

[Midas]

False and false. Somalis do business with each other regardless of Qabil. You’re definitely not very clued up about businesses amongst Somalis and are stuck in the 90s-2001 one era. All that you’ve said is dated walal. It’s not the case anymore.

The fact he down voted idinlaas says it all

 

[Riftvalley]

[

False and false. Somalis do business with each other regardless of Qabil. You’re definitely not very clued up about businesses amongst Somalis and are stuck in the 90s-2001 one era. All that you’ve said is dated walal. It’s not the case anymore.

We are talking about substantial business:wealth creation and in comparison with other communities. The comparison OP made was between Minnesota and Somalis in the UK. Many Somalis in the Uk are living below or on the poverty line. We don’t have a substantial middle class and nor have we taken advantage of business opportunities like other communities. I know areas full of Somalis,and Afghans and Syrians- who came here 10 years have more business and are more wealthy than Somalis.

After almost 40 years, A few Somalis opening up restaurants which actually have menus, are clean and open to outsiders, in the last few years, is a step forward, but it is nothing compared to other communities.

I am clued about the care homes stuff. I know what business Somalis open together. You don’t have any secret knowledge I am not ware of. In a city like London, with all the business opportunities and how other communities have faired, Somalis are playing catch up. Our business aren’t diverse enough, too localised and there are no major areas Somalis control on an economic level. Somalis even rent from Indians in many areas where they have a number of shops. There are barely any weddings venues out right owned by Somalis. Somali “malls” are literally hidden in alley ways.

While I understand the optimistic mentality, I think we also need to be realistic. There are many flaws in the way UK Somalis live and do business.

 

[Riftvalley]

The fact he down voted idinlaas says it all

She was chatting shit bro. Somali cafeterias are literally infested with rodents and many have been fined in the past. Most of them are in ghetto places full of guys talking qabil.

Somalis in the Uk are literally celebrating a guy for opening up 2 chicken shops and people are acting like the community is filled with enterprise and growth.

We have only recently started opening up restaurants actually catered to ajanabis and females (Sabib, and village which has been running for a bit longer). It is nonsensical for her to claim other ajanabi community have the same phenomena when Arabs and Indians have always been selling to whites and their dishes are popular. They run restaurants far better than Somalis, even Afghans are opening major restaurants. Of course, their numbers helps, however the insular, clannish and sometimes chaotic business investment nature of Somalis has contributed to lack of wealth creation amongst Somalis in the UK.

Somalis are not even a visible presence business in London except in very small localities. Of course, my Somalinimo card will be revoked by the “we wuz merchants” crowd.

 

[Angelina]

She was chatting shit bro. Somali cafeterias are literally infested with rodents and many have been fined in the past. Most of them are in ghetto places full of guys talking qabil.

Somalis in the Uk are literally celebrating a guy for opening up 2 chicken shops and people are acting like the community is filled with enterprise and growth.

We have only recently started opening up restaurants actually catered to ajanabis and females (Sabib, and village which has been running for a bit longer). It is nonsensical for her to claim other ajanabi community have the same phenomena when Arabs and Indians have always been selling to whites and their dishes are popular. They run restaurants far better than Somalis, even Afghans are opening major restaurants. Of course, their numbers helps, however the insular, clannish and sometimes chaotic business investment nature of Somalis has contributed to lack of wealth creation amongst Somalis in the UK.

Somalis are not even a visible presence business in London except in very small localities. Of course, my Somalinimo card will be revoked by the “we wuz merchants” crowd.

Brothers and Savannah has been around for more than 15 yrs and we even had blue ocean that was around for many years. so saying that this is recent is ridiculous. Savannah is a nice one and it’s clean ect

 

[Riftvalley]

Brothers and Savannah has been around for more than 15 yrs and we even had blue ocean that was around for many years. so saying that this is recent is ridiculous. Savannah is a nice one and it’s clean ect

Yes, for the whole of London, Somalis opened a few basic restaurants? I am sorry, I just don’t see this great business acumen Somalis have in the Uk, especially when you compare to other communities and you see how most Somalis are living in poverty or wage to wage lifestyle.

 

[berberaboy66]

She was chatting shit bro. Somali cafeterias are literally infested with rodents and many have been fined in the past. Most of them are in ghetto places full of guys talking qabil.

Somalis in the Uk are literally celebrating a guy for opening up 2 chicken shops and people are acting like the community is filled with enterprise and growth.

We have only recently started opening up restaurants actually catered to ajanabis and females (Sabib, and village which has been running for a bit longer). It is nonsensical for her to claim other ajanabi community have the same phenomena when Arabs and Indians have always been selling to whites and their dishes are popular. They run restaurants far better than Somalis, even Afghans are opening major restaurants. Of course, their numbers helps, however the insular, clannish and sometimes chaotic business investment nature of Somalis has contributed to lack of wealth creation amongst Somalis in the UK.

Somalis are not even a visible presence business in London except in very small localities. Of course, my Somalinimo card will be revoked by the “we wuz merchants” crowd.

This is just straight waffle I’m sorry. You seem to insular within your own community actually take a look at how other ethnic groups live their lives.

How can you say Indians are more business oriented than us and then diss chicken shops? That’s literally their bread and butter. Bear in mind these new age folks are marketing their chicken shops as “restaurants” so they’re raking in way more money. Afghans own phone shops looool those guys are living 10 to a room on top of those shops hiding from law enforcement.

Reason why Somalis are living paychecj to paycheck *everywhere* in the west is because of remittance payments. It’s worse because like I said before in this thread europeans fly home too much. There’s people living on taxpayer money paying 2k every year to go back to Xamar for their summers. No other immigrant group is doing that.

Somalis dominate Uber industry, lots do black cab which rakes in a lot of money especially for a city like London. There’s TikToks of guys making 10k per month working on Uber. Uncles do school runs through Somali-owned companies. You’re just projecting, no point owning a business if it’s not profitable

 

[Idilinaa]

She was chatting shit bro. Somali cafeterias are literally infested with rodents and many have been fined in the past. Most of them are in ghetto places full of guys talking qabil.

Somalis in the Uk are literally celebrating a guy for opening up 2 chicken shops and people are acting like the community is filled with enterprise and growth.

We have only recently started opening up restaurants actually catered to ajanabis and females (Sabib, and village which has been running for a bit longer). It is nonsensical for her to claim other ajanabi community have the same phenomena when Arabs and Indians have always been selling to whites and their dishes are popular. They run restaurants far better than Somalis, even Afghans are opening major restaurants. Of course, their numbers helps, however the insular, clannish and sometimes chaotic business investment nature of Somalis has contributed to lack of wealth creation amongst Somalis in the UK.

Somalis are not even a visible presence business in London except in very small localities. Of course, my Somalinimo card will be revoked by the “we wuz merchants” crowd.

I am chatting shit after showing studies, links and examples of businesses?

Neither Somali restaurants or cafeterias look like ghetto or rodent infested places to me. I have not seen a single report about finings either.

Most of when i search some of them on google maps they have good reviews. For example this is another one in London operates and caters a small local area where Somalis live from some basement alley is given 5 stars and looks clean and organized. Even though its very small establishment and has been there for many years

Jimi Famurewa reviews Al Kahf: Truly unforgettable Somali food

Welcome to a hidden grotto of home-style East African cooking that spikes endorphins and costs next to nothing, says Jimi Famurewa

www.standard.co.uk

The first thing to know about Al Kahf, a basement Somali spot in Whitechapel, is that it very much operates on its own terms.

Also Somalis don't particularly open up chicken shops, most of the corner shops operate like small convenience/retail stores. I know this because i have an uncle in Leeds who used operate one that also acted as a phone store.

I don't get you. So if they attract a local Somali costumer base they are qabil havens who are rodent infested business, insular etc? , but otherwise if they have a larger costumer base they cater to ajanabis and females ? and are recent? Nonsense.

Most Asian businesses go bust more often in comparison to Somali ones, believe it or not. Many of those retail stores in London are even closing up and are struggling to stay alive,.

Littler India: why Britain’s south Asian garment stores are struggling

They have been resilient amid wider high street decline – but units are now emptying in areas such as Southall, west London

www.theguardian.com

Starting up a business whether small or big carries with a certain risk taking and can be a effected by the market. So it's not always guarenteed success for Somalis as well. But i am not making anything it up. Also even the smallest most flailing one among Somalis are supported and visited by Somalis to keep it alive.

''We wuz merchants '' lmaao. Is that why are you are going on long rants being dismissive of Somali business achievements? In order to defeat that reputation? And onloading this ridicilous ''tuulo, qabil'' stereotypes your read from forum posts.

So what you are doing is not making a serious assesment of reality on the ground about Somalis but pushing and creating caricatures, because of some grudge you hold.

Yes, for the whole of London, Somalis opened a few basic restaurants? I am sorry, I just don’t see this great business acumen Somalis have in the Uk, especially when you compare to other communities and you see how most Somalis are living in poverty or wage to wage lifestyle.

Before it was '' only recently'' restaurants when she mentions a couple of old ones and now its ''a few basic'' lmaaoo It's obvious the game your playing.

Most businesses are like this, believe it or not. They are not some massive scale conglomerates or pulling in multi millions. But they provide services and self-employment oppurtunities. Most people in London live pay check to pay check and are employed in regular jobs, so Somalis fit into that camp as well.

 

[Spongebob]

I think it’s time for Somalis in the UK to step up and create community-centered businesses. We rely too much on others who don’t respect us yet profit from us, especially in timo jileecs that show racism while cashing in on our community.

Why aren’t we starting our own supermarkets, car washes, beauty shops, restaurants, tutoring centers, care homes, and disability services? There’s a significant need, especially for Somali kids with special needs like non-verbal autism.

Many Somali businesses are targeted at us but aren’t up to standard. Most Somali restaurants aren’t great, and even Damal, praised by many, is owned by an Asian. Our cafes could also be cleaner. I recently went to a popular tutoring center for Somali families, run by non-Somalis, where Somali aunties clean to get a small discount on tuition fees. It’s heartbreaking.

Plus, I see Somali boys in my area standing on street corners selling drugs, wasting their potential. Meanwhile, youth spend money from fraud on worthless things when it could be invested back into our community.

I’m a student looking to start a businesses I know it’s , but when I talk about it, I get looked at like I’m crazy but it’s completely possible.

Somalis need to be like Jews