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Immigrants

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Wayne and Eleanor Chiu: “It was very difficult in the very first few years, as we did not have a lot of capital. We worked extra hard to earn the trust of the developers so they will give us opportunities to build in their areas.”

Calgary couple turned layoff into successful builder Trico

Wayne and Eleanor Chiu, originally from Hong Kong, now have second generation involved in the family business and charitable foundation

July 11, 2024
Family Business

Ajay Virmani, founder and executive chairman of Mississauga, Ont.-based Cargojet Inc., stands next to an airplane wing and engine with planes visible in the background.

Cargojet founder Ajay Virmani on ‘starting an airline just after 9/11’

How he survived his first winter in Canada, how he grew Mississauga-based airfreight firm into a multi-billion-dollar company and what’s next

February 8, 2024
Family Business

Alstari Corp. co-founder Suhayya Abu-Hakima recalls her family’s immigration to Canada from the Middle East, the excitement of seeing the Habs win the Stanley Cup five times, and the promise and dangers of AI.

AI female founder Suhayya Abu-Hakima on success with no VC backing

Co-founder of Ottawa’s Alstari Corp., after exiting two companies: ‘AI has incredible potential to help humanity [and] to end humanity’

December 20, 2023
Family Business

Muraly Srinarayanathas, co-founder and executive chairman of Ajax, Ont.-based 369 Global: “At a very young age, I knew I wanted to lead businesses that would help newcomers succeed.”

Entrepreneur Muraly Srinarayanathas gives back by helping other newcomers

Ontario-based entrepreneur now builds and invests in firms like Computek College that support new Canadians

October 26, 2023
Family Business

From left: Karl, Elie and Ralph Nour of Ontario-based Nour Private Wealth.

Founder of Nour Private Wealth left Lebanese civil war as teen

Brothers followed in Elie Nour’s footsteps, all having left everything they knew behind, and eventually built Ontario-based wealth management firm

September 19, 2023
Family Business

Syrian Chocolatier Isameddin Hadhad, the father of Peace by Chocolate founder Tareq Hadhad, creates chocolates.

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

Fleeing from war, members of the Hadhad family were sponsored to settle in Antigonish, N.S., and founded Peace by Chocolate, which funds many peace and social-good initiatives

September 7, 2023
Family Business

Bill Malhotra founded Claridge Homes, which builds projects, including condos, rentals retirement homes with assisted living facilities and hotel buildings in Ottawa and, for the past 19 years, in Florida.

Claridge Homes’ Bill Malhotra on journey from immigrant to real estate icon

The self-made billionaire and potential Ottawa Senators co-owner acknowledges the role of family, vision and luck in making the leap to building his company

August 16, 2023
Family Business

Two generations of SM2 Capital’s leaders – In front, from left: founders and board directors Shiraz Ali and Mohamed Ali. In back, from left: Jamil Ali, President and COO; Riz Bharmal, CFO; Naim Ali, CEO; and Hafiz Ali, Chairman and CIO.

Naim Ali, CEO of Calgary’s SM2 Capital Partners, on immigrant success story

East African family fleeing political unrest rebuilds in Canada, creating a successful business, including car rental, commercial real estate and hotels

August 3, 2023
Family Business

Manga Hotels founder Sukhdev Toor created the Toor Family Foundation, aimed at supporting philanthropic initiatives focused on health and wellness.

Hotelier Sukhdev Toor came as immigrant and now gives back through foundation

Once new to Canada, Toor couldn’t find work in his field. He ended up founding Manga Hotels and created the Toor Family Foundation to focus especially on mental health

July 20, 2023
Philanthropy

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