Entrepreneurship: How Black-owned businesses are transforming Quebec

Immigrant Entrepreneurship: Resilience and Boldness as the Driving Forces Behind Success in Canada

Building a business in a new country requires far more than technical skills. For many immigrant entrepreneurs, the real challenge is first earning the trust of their first clients, overcoming prejudice, and persevering despite repeated setbacks. That was the strong message that emerged from a gathering where several entrepreneurs shared their journeys and their vision for the future.

One of the speakers emphasized that the challenges associated with immigration should not overshadow the reality on the ground. According to him, the vast majority of Quebecers recognize the economic contribution of immigrants and welcome them positively.

“Real Quebecers are very intelligent. I work with them every day. They are business leaders who understand what immigration contributes economically to Quebec.”

In response to negative messages circulating on social media, he encouraged newcomers not to become discouraged.

“I will never let myself be intimidated by messages I see on social media saying, ‘Go back home.’ That is only a tiny minority. The majority of Quebecers are very good, kind, and welcoming people.”

According to several participants, securing the very first contract remains the most difficult stage of the entrepreneurial journey. The speakers stressed the importance of consistent prospecting, even when results take time to appear.

The example of Tina, a member of the team, illustrates this philosophy. More than 200 proposals were reportedly submitted over the past few months, with the confidence that persistence always pays off in the end.

“The biggest challenge is truly getting that very first client. Once you get that first client, show them that you are the best.”

That perseverance gradually translated into market recognition. While phone calls were once rare, requests for services now arrive on a regular basis.

“Today, we receive calls every day. Before, we didn't receive any. It's simply about being bold, persevering, and never stopping until you've succeeded.”

The entrepreneurs also emphasized the importance of relying on the quality of their work rather than on reputation.

“We had no reputation and no name recognition, but we had the skills. If we worked well, they would call us back.”

Beyond individual success stories, several speakers praised the emergence of a new generation of people of African descent who are steadily taking their place within Canada's economic landscape.

One speaker expressed his pride in witnessing this evolution.

“It is a joy and a source of pride to see what you are creating. It is incredibly powerful to see this generation of Afro-descendants taking its place in the most remarkable way.”

According to him, this growing economic influence will lead to greater representation in decision-making institutions.

“The economic power you are building in Canada will make a tremendous difference because there will be no choice but to include you in decision-making bodies.”

Another entrepreneur's testimony illustrated how personal hardships can become a driving force for success. An engineer by training and formerly an executive within a company, he explained that he eventually decided to leave a secure position to launch his own business.

“One day, I told myself: we're leaving everything behind, and we're going to give it a try. It's been two years now.”

That decision, however, would never have been possible without the support of his wife, whose simple words completely changed his perception of risk.

“She told me, ‘It doesn't matter if we fail. When we first arrived, we were living in a small apartment. We can go back to living in one and start all over again.’ That sentence changed everything.”

The speakers also took time to pay tribute to entrepreneurs' spouses, describing them as essential pillars during moments of uncertainty.

“It takes a lot of courage, a lot of resilience. But if these women weren't there to bring us back onto the right path, many of our decisions would have been different.”

A female entrepreneur working in the transportation sector also shared her experience as a woman in a predominantly male industry. Despite the challenges, she said she found an environment that supported the growth of her business.

“Don't be afraid of Canada, Quebec, Quebecers, or Canadians. They truly open their arms and their doors to you.”

She also explained that she had chosen to devote all her energy to developing her company.

“I am focused on my business. When it comes to financing and business development, help is available everywhere.”

Throughout all of the testimonies, one message stood out clearly: entrepreneurial success depends less on the absence of obstacles than on the ability to persevere, learn from failure, and transform diversity into a genuine driver of growth. The participants therefore encouraged the younger generation to dare to become entrepreneurs, believe in their abilities, and actively contribute to Canada's economic development while remaining proud of their origins.