Small business owner Daniel Lerman, who is from Ukraine, has received hate voicemails and texts focused on his California-based business, Russian Universal Business, since the start of the invasion.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has rippled across the globe. And some businesses in the United States are facing backlash because of their brand association with Russia.
Small business owner Daniel Lerman, who is from Ukraine, told KCBS he’s been getting hate voicemails and texts focused on his California-based business since the start of the invasion.
"The name of the business is Russian Universal Business. Because of the name, a lot of people are sending us a lot of threats," Lerman said. "I am personally from Ukraine."
He is even sponsoring a Ukrainian family fleeing the violence.
"They’re friends of the friends but they have nowhere to go," he said. "They have no place to be and I welcome to my house."
But those calling and texting apparently are unaware, and Lerman wants to avoid Russophobia, so he’s spending thousands of dollars to rebrand his Southern California notary company, including buying all new business cards and a new website.
"Because of the constant threats, we are forced to change the name of the business to Document USA," he said.
Lerman isn’t the only one who’s facing this issue. As the Russian invasion continues, more businesses may have to change their names or risk the negative associations that come with having “Russian” in their brand.
