Ask yourself the following question and write down the answer: What are going to enjoy the most about being an entrepreneur in Canada?
Don’t overthink. Trust your gut!
Get rid of all distractions for 5 minutes and reflect on what you just wrote because it seems to be your biggest motivator; think about the desire you are going to fulfill by being “your own boss,” and think about the problem is solving for you.
Now, ask yourself another question: what is the problem that your business initiative solves for your customer?
Write it down and think about what you have already put in place to start solving it.
I spent the first 10 years in Canada not thinking about venturing into entrepreneurship. I was actually working my way towards a 9-5 full-time position but I got bored – there was something about that number 10 that made me question the way I was living my life, and sparked something within. I wanted to do more with less limitations.
That spark led me to start having conversations with people and asking them questions that helped me identify gaps that I could fill with my skill set.
That was the very first step I took when I started my entrepreneurial journey in this country.
Now, another 10 is approaching as we are entering a new decade – imagine if you, from the very beginning of your journey in Canada start working for yourself and potentially hire people from all corners of the world residing in Toronto or any other Canadian city.
Fascinating!
Having said that, I do encourage everyone who is new to the country to get either an entry level job or a volunteer position in order to experience a smooth transition into Canadian life and working with the Canadian customer.
You need more than just an idea. To thrive as an entrepreneur in Canada you must be culturally fluent, and these jobs are great schools to achieve that.
Orbit 5 was created 3 years ago. When I started, I had the expertise, the drive, and the passion, but I knew very little about how to run a business. Every single step has brought tremendous learning, and now we are expanding our vision and taking our message to other latitudes.
My message constantly emphasizes on the importance of connections – Folks come to Canada with great ideas and an array of skills and experience but without connections, entrepreneurship is not viable. Therefore, it is paramount to build relationships so people become familiar with your name and your vision.
Growing a network must be priority for a new entrepreneur not only to grow the business but also to exchange ideas and get inspired by like-minded folks and build community. Your network will support you to keep your mental health on point, which is crucial in order to be ready to face the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur, let alone being one in a new country.
The road is not linear and you have to be willing to walk it, put in the work, and learn how to embrace rejection while you position your brand. Have a few informational interviews lined up upon arrival. The earlier you start playing the game, the better the choices you will make. LinkedIn is a great platform to show your expertise and build an audience and it costs you nothing but the time investment.
The future of work needs more entrepreneurs who come from around the globe to innovate in our society.
Ask yourself those 2 questions every 6 months or whenever you feel like reinventing yourself and/or your project. As your initiative evolves, your motivators or desires evolve too, as well as the problems that you must solve for your customer, and that is a great thing.
How ready do you feel to start your entrepreneurial journey in Canada?
