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Nearly 40,000 international immigrants arrived in Alberta last year. Since their arrival, many of them are trying to start their own businesses. Local fairs provide the resources they need to get started.
Saturday’s event attracted nearly 100 attendees and featured panelists and workshops throughout the day.
The expo teaches newcomers how to build a business from the ground up, including how to navigate state regulations and obtain financing. However, the biggest resource provided is networking.
“I don’t know where to go, but all I have is this one spark, this little flame inside me. I need a mentor,” said Jezril Austria, a small business owner. Ta.
Austria came to our country from the Philippines and launched the apparel business “North Rage” in November last year. He said he received great support from the nonprofit organization Business Link.
“They coached me to start from scratch and be producing by this summer,” Austria said. “This is gym wear, gym sportswear apparel, so we’re trying to make it like a mini-Lululemon that anyone can buy.”
Austria is not the only country receiving aid. Business Link hosted the New Entrepreneur Expo Saturday at the Edmonton Expo Center to provide resources to up-and-coming business owners.
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“We feel that this event is very important. We receive a lot of inquiries from new entrants who are looking to start a business, accounting for almost 20% of our inquiries,” said Abdalla Mohamed, Immigration Services Manager at Business Link. says Mr.
“When we arrive here, we probably have a few acquaintances and we come with our families. But we haven’t come here and established a big network like we probably have back home.” , said Matt Hill, Director of Client Services and Operations at Business Link.
“I’m from the UK and I know more people there, so it’s easier to start that business. So events like this are aimed at expanding their network.”
Hill said Business Link supports more than 1,000 new entrepreneurs each year, and that number has steadily increased in recent years.
“Alberta is a great place to start a business, with so many opportunities and surprisingly simple compared to many places in the world,” Hill said.
For Austria, the fair provided further motivation to pursue his dreams.
“Every business owner or founder has days when they get really down. Having a support system like mentors and people in your community can really help,” he said.
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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