War destroyed their business. Here's how they rebuilt in Canada

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About 5 per cent of Canada’s immigrants own a private incorporated business, according to Statistics Canada’s latest data. They, along with other family-owned enterprises, generate almost half of Canada’s GDP in the private sector, according to The Conference Board of Canada’s latest numbers. This series looks at immigrant-founded family businesses.

Stuck in a refugee camp in Lebanon for three years and unable to return to Syria, as their livelihood had been destroyed by bombing, members of the Hadhad family sought a safe haven to start over.

They ended up in Antigonish, N.S., sponsored by the small community that welcomed them, and helped in their integration, housing and education. The family set about rebuilding in their kitchen the chocolate manufacturing enterprise they had lost, and, eight months after arriving in Canada, Peace by Chocolate was born in 2016.

When banks were not an option, the community lent them money for a small factory in a shed beside the house they were living in. Business started growing, including landing a contract with Sobey’s Inc., hiring more than 75 employees (many of them newcomers), and opening a second flagship store in Halifax. Their products are now available across Canada and abroad.

One of the driving motivators of the family is to create social good through their company. The company donates a portion of revenues through its Peace on Earth Society, which partners with organizations that foster peace or work to alleviate suffering.

These initiatives have included people affected by wildfires and hurricanes, protections for refugees through the Refugee Hub at the University of Ottawa, Red Cross efforts in Ukraine, the Canadian Mental Health Association, supporting at-risk youth in Indigenous communities, the Special Olympics, protecting children in global conflicts through the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security … and the list goes on.

While there is a book (by journalist Jon Tattrie) and a movie (by Jonathan Keijser), Tareq Hadhad, founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate and now a Canadian citizen, and his sister Alaa Hadhad collaborate to tell their story here in their own words.

Can you share with us the story of your original family business in Syria?

“Our family’s original business in Syria was founded in 1986 and started as a chocolate manufacturing establishment. The motivation behind it was to make the world a happier place and create a new identity that our family would be proud of.

This journey began when my father [Isameddin Hadhad], a new engineering graduate, decided to venture into a new field and make a difference. He fell in love with our mother [Shahnaz Naisa] after offering her a sample of his chocolates in Damascus.

Over the years, our business grew to become one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the region, and we were passionate about using entrepreneurship to contribute positively to our community. Our father was the leader of the business, and our mother supported him along the way by managing the social partnerships side of the business.”

How did you end up in Canada?

“After the war started in our neighborhood in Damascus, Syria, our lives took a drastic turn, and we became refugees in 2013, forced to leave everything behind and our family became scattered around the globe on almost every continent.

We spent three challenging years as refugees in Lebanon after our factory was bombed and many immediate family members went missing, were kidnapped, arrested, or killed in the war.

Our family didn’t want to become a statistic or a number that added to the overall toll of the victims of that war. Our family was unable to work, study or find a sense of belonging in Lebanon and, since it was nearly impossible to go back to Syria during the war, we decided that it was time for all of us to find another place to call home by choice, while Syria remains our home by birth.

After the countdown to death almost began, Canada opened its doors to us.

The transition to Canada was an exciting and heartwarming experience, and, despite the much colder weather, we were welcomed with open arms.

The sense of belonging and support from the community in Nova Scotia helped us rebuild our lives and make Canada our new home. Coming to Canada and to our Antigonish community made us feel even more sure that we weren’t just visitors in a strange place. Instead, we were like important threads woven into a big, caring community.”

In arriving here and slowly establishing a life here, how did you approach establishing Peace by Chocolate?

“When we arrived in Canada, our focus shifted towards giving back to the country that welcomed us.

Inspired by our experiences and a desire to promote peace, our family founded Peace by Chocolate with our famous slogan, ‘One Peace Won’t Hurt.’ We wanted to create a meaningful way to connect our family to a cause that reflects our mission.

Each piece of chocolate at Peace by Chocolate is a symbol of peace, happiness and unity and it was a direct way to live up to our values of passion, enthusiasm, advocacy, contribution, and excellence.

The fight for peace started because we suffered from losing everything to the war in Syria but also after the wildfires that happened in Fort McMurray in Alberta in 2016. And, since then, we developed over 12 campaigns and partnerships with community organizations that help create a more peaceful world locally, nationally and around the globe throughout our Peace on Earth Society, the umbrella of our community work.”

How did you support each other during those early years?

“As a family, we supported each other immensely during those early years of starting anew in Canada. We had a resilient spirit and a shared determination to succeed. The challenges we faced as refugees and immigrants brought us closer together, reminding us of our purpose and mission.

We leaned on each other’s strengths and experiences to overcome obstacles and build a brighter future, and we grew our belief that “in times of test, family is best.”

How did you each establish roles within the business?

“Within the business, each family member contributes to various roles. Some of us acted as sales representatives, while others supervised chocolate production or served as taste testers.

In the early days, while we were part of the big farmers market network in Nova Scotia, the family used to gather in the home kitchen or in the tiny basement room that became the headquarters of the company’s beginnings. That’s where we were fulfilling wedding orders, packaging the product to leave to the early Saturday markets, processing invoices or just enjoying the smell of the first chocolate wheel.

The family aspect of the business was a source of inspiration and unity. We all shared the mission and accepted the challenge to be ambassadors for peace before anything else.

Right now, our father Isameddin Hadhad is the president of the company and the senior production manager, our mother Shahnaz Naisa is the co-manager of the Antigonish store with Alaa while Tareq is the CEO, and everyone else is a trained sales representative.”

As you were starting over in Canada, from where did you draw inspiration?

“Our father’s determination to create a new identity for our family in the eighties [in Syria] and his commitment to making the world happier greatly inspired us.

The challenges he faced as a chocolatier and entrepreneur in Syria shaped our understanding of hard work and perseverance. His example, combined with the experiences of our entire family, played a significant role in shaping our ethics and approach to business.

From late nights spent perfecting chocolate recipes to early mornings strategizing business plans, the collaborative efforts and shared experiences within our family unit fortified our commitment to excellence.

How did you keep going in challenging times?

“During the challenging times, we had the option to take the easy path and give up, but we didn’t. We saw that light at the end of the tunnel and kept the faith in a brighter tomorrow.

Our experiences as refugees and immigrants have taught us the importance of empathy and the value of spreading positivity. The trauma we faced didn’t deter us from our goal or mission; instead, it reinforced our commitment to promoting peace, harmony, kindness, and unity through our business.

We aim to deliver not just chocolates but also positive messages of hope and the celebration of resiliency through adversity.”

Do you have any advice for those who aim to start a business?

“Business is a platform of leadership to transform communities for the better and inspire those who are just taking on the journey to seek significance and leave their mark and impact on the world.

To those who wish to establish their own businesses in challenging times, remember that obstacles are part of the journey and only by failing, do we learn fast. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Resilience, determination, and a strong sense of purpose are key.

Surround yourself with supportive people, and don’t be afraid to share your ideas and seek help.

Believe in your abilities and never underestimate the power of hard work and a positive mindset. As the saying goes, ‘No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.’”

Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

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