“When the right opportunity finds you…” have you heard that?
We believe that opportunities are not found or something that “finds” you, you have to seek for opportunities, and sometimes create them.
This is the case of thousands of people who migrate to Canada every year, not just hoping to find the right opportunity but often creating it.
Being away from home is not easy at all. Like many people, missing home is part of my story.
My name is Karina, and I am the graphic designer for SEF Canada.
I was born in Mexico and moved to Canada a year ago. I’m not only an immigrant but also an entrepreneur. As a graphic designer who aligns herself with SEF values, my passion is to help fellow entrepreneurs. In my case, my passion is to create a professional brand design for their small businesses.
When you immigrate, you often get disencouraging comments about entrepreneurship. People think you have to work for a company not in your field of expertise, doing work you’re not passionate about, just as long as it can pay your bills. Although everybody around me was saying that I will not be able to work as a graphic designer, which is what I’m passionate about, I certainly was not taking a “NO” for an answer. So, instead of looking for a job in any other field, I decided to take a leap of faith and advertise my services as a graphic designer. I figured I had nothing to lose: I was starting from scratch, away from home, family and friends, in a new city, a new country, speaking a new language and working within a new market.
I was scared, feeling lonely when I met this wonderful graphic designer: Amy, who is originally from Portugal and is also an entrepreneur.
We had a lot in common: we are both graphic designers, entrepreneurs and immigrants.
Even though we are not from the same country and we don't even speak the same language (I speak Spanish and she speaks Portuguese, whichare close enough but not the same) she somehow felt related to me. She taught me how the Canadian market works, she showed me the way she works, and helped me get my first clients. But more importantly, she helped me gain confidence in myself and my talent.
I don’t believe she is aware of how much she helped me, trusting a stranger without knowing me. She understands that recognizing the talent in another person won’t make you less talented. She is truly a fire that lights other fires, she understands that sharing your knowledge and helping a fellow entrepreneur wont turn off your light. Instead, you can shine together.
And this is what SEF stands for: not only helping entrepreneurs to put their business up and running, but also we love to create a sense of community. We want them to rest assured that they are not alone, if they have questions or are second guessing themselves, they have someone to rely on.
Wherever you go, you can create your own opportunities. Surround yourself with people with a similar mindset and shine together.
¡Brillemos Juntos! ( Let’s shine together!)
Find amazing immigrants entrepreneurs here:
https://canadianimmigrant.ca/canadas-top-25-immigrants/entrepreneur-award