[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]They say it takes a specific kind of person to become a successful entrepreneur. Whether its grit, blind hope or a willful desire to ignore risk, business owners utilize it daily to make their aspirations a reality. Sometimes that very drive inspires dreamers to cross boarders in search of opportunity and a fulfilling life.
Canada’s ecosystem of entrepreneurs incorporates all walks of life from varying regions. With diversity in spades Canada, as many other countries around the world, struggles with managing discrimination and embedding equity into societies infrastructures. Immigrant entrepreneurs who not only defy odds by building successful empires, often face an additional set of challenges along the way– creating a unique experience and definition of what it means to be Canadian.
With no experience like the other, we asked 6 Canadian entrepreneurs to share their journey’s as immigrants and as proud citizens of Canada.
To learn more about the entrepreneurs and businesses featured click on their names![/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Lulu Liang, CEO of Luxy Hair ” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” css_animation=”slideInLeft” css=”.vc_custom_1593623035925{background-color: #dd3333 !important;}” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.luxyhair.com%2F%3Fcurrency%3DCAD%26wickedsource%3Dgoogle%26wickedid%3D425873714098%26wtm_term%3Dluxy%2520hair%26wtm_campaign%3D9635745524%26wtm_content%3D95977262541%26wickedplacement%3D%26wickedkeyword%3Dluxy%2520hair%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgvqLq8Ss6gIVEpSzCh23AgVbEAAYASAAEgIIofD_BwE|||”][vc_column_text]
Being a Canadian has made me stronger, given me a powerful voice, and rewarded my hard work with opportunities. It has allowed me to express myself and given me freedoms I don’t think I would have had growing up in China. I’m grateful to have grown up in a melting pot where I was exposed to all ethnicities, traditions and values. I hope we continue to be kind and accepting while also growing our entrepreneurial spirit and dreams to make a bigger global mark. No matter where I am in the world, Canada will always be home.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Tareq Hadhad, Founder of Peace by Chocolate ” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” css_animation=”slideInLeft” css=”.vc_custom_1593623258128{background-color: #dd3333 !important;}” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fpeacebychocolate.ca%2F|||”][vc_column_text]
indigenous peoples, the past and current injustices that they still have to live through. I have visited lakes and oceans. I’ve met incredible entrepreneurs, politicians, community builders and volunteers.
I have met many immigrants who made Canada their home by choice like me. Through it all, my fellow Canadians have shared their warm hearts and big dreams of what they want Canada to be. To be a Canadian is the biggest honour of my life. This country was built by a broad range of people from a number of different nationalities and continues to thrive not in spite of, but because of our differences. Canada is a cultural mosaic in which all our diverse backgrounds come together to create a bigger, more beautiful picture of what Canada truly is and the values it represents.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Wali Shah, Motivational Speaker ” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” css_animation=”slideInLeft” css=”.vc_custom_1593623377884{background-color: #dd3333 !important;}” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeaswali.com%2F|||”][vc_column_text]
A lot of the work I do is centred on working with young kids and youth; helping them find their career path and navigate their journey. In today’s world, possibly now more than ever, I really feel that diverse voices have an immense opportunity to share narratives that were not previously highlighted. In the last few weeks, in Canadian media we have seen more change and an increased focus on emphasizing diverse voices than we have in the last 5 years. There is a stigma around talking about discrimination and facing prejudice, but sharing that story is so important right now. It is easy to feel resentful of the struggles you may face as an individual. But in sharing your story and being proud of who you are, you can leverage that as a way to create change, be successful and be a voice for others.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Salima Visram, Founder of SAMARA
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I feel deeply grateful again, for the support especially during times like this, with COVID-19, from the government. I think in Canada, most citizens are taken care of in some way. In other parts of the world, things are so different. If I was in another country, and was a female founder running a young brand there, I’m not sure I’d have the same support as we’ve had. I’m also in awe of how much support there has been online towards small businesses and online businesses. The future of Canada seems so bright, I truly believe that the next wave of groundbreaking companies are going to come out of Canada, and I’m so excited to see more employment, more talent and more success stories come out of this country.
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Temi Shobowale, Founder of Essentials by Temi
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Being Canadian is amazing. I got to travel as an official Canadian citizen for the first time back in January before COVID-19. I was in Europe, and I was amazed at how Canadians are respected and viewed in the world, in my opinion and I’m pretty sure a lot of people’s opinions. It’s a powerful thing to live in a country where we strive to create a diverse space for everyone; but, sometimes our diversity can get lost in translation. So, for the future of Canada, I would love for us to push and be really, really transparent with how diverse we can be.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Richard Berman, CEO of VerbFactory” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” css_animation=”slideInLeft” css=”.vc_custom_1593623449145{background-color: #dd3333 !important;}” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.verbfactory.com%2Faboutus|||”][vc_column_text]
Given everything that’s going on in the States right now, it’s a weird feeling for me to be an American running a company in Canada. One of the strangest things for me is the US recently blocking almost all legal immigration for the rest of the year. That’s insane. If you’ve ever spent time in Silicon Valley, you know that people from all over the planet have made it the tech capital of the world. My prediction is that this will be a huge boost for Canada as the world’s top talent comes here rather than to the States. We’re going to see a lot more diversity in the next few years as this country becomes even more of a magnet for skilled workers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row]