By: Tracy Sanders, Co-Editor | tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
Across South Carolina, immigrant entrepreneurs are reshaping the state’s economic and cultural landscape, bringing innovation, jobs, and fresh perspectives to industries ranging from construction to cuisine.
While immigrants make up less than 6% of South Carolina’s population—about 316,000 residents in 2023 they punch above their weight economically. They held approximately 7.8% of all jobs that year, a share higher than their proportion of the working-age population, underscoring their strong role in the state’s workforce (USA Facts, 2024).
Their entrepreneurial impact is even greater. According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants accounted for 10% of all self-employed residents in South Carolina in 2018, about 23,670 business owners, generating $719.6 million in business income. This means that while immigrants are a smaller percentage of the population, they represent a disproportionately large share of business creation and ownership.
These ventures span every sector: construction firms, professional services, grocery stores, restaurants, and tech startups. More than just providing products or services, immigrant-owned businesses often create jobs for locals, source materials from within the state, and introduce cultural diversity into communities.
One entrepreneur illustrating this story is Ricardo Jacome, known to over 655,000 TikTok followers as “El Lobo” (@23ellobo). Born in Mexico and raised in Hendersonville, North Carolina, Jacome now calls Inman, South Carolina, home. He started Ricardo’s Alpha Roofing with a commitment to quality craftsmanship and a vision for building a business that could support others. Today, he is preparing to launch Mariscos El Lobo, a Mexican seafood restaurant already generating buzz online. Through his social media platforms, Jacome encourages others, especially within the Latino community, to view business ownership as a pathway to stability and legacy.
“I’m not here just to work and survive. I’m here to build, inspire, and leave a legacy,” Jacome said.
His story mirrors the broader reality: immigrant entrepreneurs are not only fueling South Carolina’s economic growth but also strengthening its communities. Whether starting with a hammer, a recipe, or a business plan, they continue to prove that the American dream is still within reach and that it thrives when shared.
By the Numbers: Immigrant Entrepreneurs in South Carolina
316,000 — Estimated immigrant population in SC (2023)
7.8% — Share of all jobs in SC held by immigrants (2023)
10% — Share of all self-employed residents who are immigrants (2018)
23,670 — Number of immigrant-owned businesses in SC (2018)
$719.6 million — Annual business income generated by immigrant entrepreneurs in SC (2018)
Sources:
USA Facts, “How many immigrants are in the U.S.?” (2024)
USA Facts, “What percent of jobs in the U.S. are held by immigrants?” (2024)
American Immigration Council, “Immigrants in South Carolina” (2022)
American Immigration Council, “New Americans in South Carolina” (2017)
Author: Tracy Sanders
