Starting a business as a newcomer in Canada has its challenges.
Whether it is understanding taxes, attracting clients in the Canadian market or lack of financial resources navigating entrepreneurship in a new county can be hard, said event coordinator Ines Montoya.
Avia Employment Services and RBC are teaming up to provide an opportunity for immigrants in the Fraser Valley to network, find a mentor, and receive critical advice to further business growth.
The Newcomers Entrepreneur Event takes place next Tuesday, May 29, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Langley Events Centre (7888 200th St.).
Those who have come to Canada and succeeded in their efforts to have their own business have paved the way for others to do the same, Montoya explained.
Six immigrant panelists are participating in next week’s event, “enthusiastic about sharing knowledge from their successful entrepreneur endeavours and connecting with attendees.”
Members of the panelist immigrated to Canada from Korea, Pakistan, Singapore, and Romania.
Though they represent different cultures and backgrounds they share one thing in common; they all had a desire to start a business of their own.
The journey has made them knowledgeable in business planning, Canadian rules, and regulations, as well as financial record keeping.
One of the speakers, Carolina Berenche, is the founder of Penisula Executive Suits. Her company provides offices and boardrooms to rent in White Rock and Surrey.
“The business has responded to the needs of the clients. It has evolved,” she said.
Another panelist is from Cassmia Home. The business retails wholesale furniture. Liliva, founder of the company, knows first-hand the financial strain start-ups experience in the first years. Companies have to go through growing pains; It is essential to prepare for the beginning years. A mentor can help inspiring business owners do that.
The remaining panelists are from Peak Janitorial, Lilian Cazacu Notary Corporation, Galaxy Travel Ltd, and Nova-Rubber Green Technologies Inc.
“Newcomer entrepreneurs play an important role in contributing to the economy and growth of Langley,” Montoya said.
“The goal of the event is to provide a time where the community of immigrant business owners can help each other through shared experiences.”
Chamber offers glimpse at non-profit books
In the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce ongoing series of Lunch & Learn seminars, they’re tackling non-profits, and specifically their books, in next week’s workshop.
Many of our local business owners and manager volunteer time to Langley non-profits. While they’re familiar with the financial statements for their own companies, delving into and understanding those for non-profits can be very different.
Accountant Bernie Zacharias will help demystify financial statements for non-profit organizations during the workshop at the chamber office next Thursday, May 31.
He will walk people through a typical set of non-profit’s financial statements and explain some of the concepts and terminology of financial reporting for the NPO sector.
“You will learn to identify key areas of the financial statements so that you can better communicate with fellow board members and accounting staff on the financial performance of the organization,” Zacharias said. “This session is intended for officers and directors of not-for-profit organizations who don’t have a strong finance background, but is also a good refresher for those have been preparing or reading financial statements for a long time.”
The Lunch & Learn session runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. on May 31, in the boardroom at the Langley chamber, #207-8047 199th St. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $10 for chamber members, $15 for non-members, and guests must bring their own lunch.
Registration in advance is required by calling the chamber office at 604-371-3770 or by visiting the chamber website.
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– Roxanne Hooper is Editor of the Langley Advance and writes, among other things, a weekly column about business happenings in Langley. If you have a new business, you’re relocating your shop in Langley, you’re undergoing a major renovation, or have other business news that might be worthy of sharing, please email Roxanne.
