Building a business as an immigrant entrepreneur in Canada means starting from zero: no network, no local reputation and no shortcuts. I’ve done it twice. In 2011 I left Punjab for New Zealand, and in 2016 I moved to Canada. Each move taught me more about entrepreneurship than any classroom ever did.
I say that as someone who has spent plenty of time in classrooms. I completed my undergraduate degree and MBA in New Zealand and later earned my CPA designation. Education gave me the tools. Starting over taught me how to use them. Here are five lessons for any newcomer who wants to start a business in Canada.
Lesson 1: Credentials Open the Door, Reputation Keeps It Open
When you arrive in a new country, nobody knows who you are. Your degree tells people you can learn. It doesn’t tell them you can be trusted.
Trust is built in small deposits: answering the phone, meeting the deadline, being honest when the news isn’t good. Every client relationship I have today started with someone taking a small chance on me, and me making sure they never regretted it. For a new entrepreneur in Canada, reputation compounds faster than any investment.
Lesson 2: Discomfort Is the Tuition Every Entrepreneur Pays
Newcomers learn quickly that comfort is a luxury. You take the opportunity that’s available, learn the system in front of you and figure out the rest as you go.
That same tolerance for discomfort is what entrepreneurship demands every day: unclear outcomes, uneven cash flow and decisions with no perfect answer. If you’ve already rebuilt your life once, you know that feeling isn’t a signal to stop. It’s a sign you’re learning.
Lesson 3: Learn Canada’s Business and Tax Rules Before You Try to Win
Every country has its own rules: tax systems, business registration, banking, employment law and the unwritten customs of how deals get done. When I came to Canada, I made it a priority to understand those rules deeply, and that knowledge became the foundation of my accounting and tax practice.
Too many small business owners treat compliance as an afterthought. The ones who last treat it as a foundation. Know how you’ll be taxed, when you must register for GST/HST, and which CRA deadlines apply to self-employed Canadians before the first big cheque arrives.
Lesson 4: Build a Business for the Community You Live In
Brampton is one of the most entrepreneurial cities in Canada. It’s full of people who, like me, came from somewhere else and decided to build something here. That’s not just inspiring. It’s a market.
The businesses I run today exist because I saw real needs in the community around me: families and business owners who needed someone to explain taxes and money clearly, and brands that needed help telling their story online.
Lesson 5: Starting Over Is a Skill, and It Transfers
The biggest gift of moving countries twice is that I’m not afraid of a blank page. Launching a new venture, entering a new industry or pivoting when something isn’t working feels familiar, because I’ve already done the hardest version.
If you’re a newcomer wondering whether you can build something in Canada: you already have the most important entrepreneurial skill. You’ve proven you can start from zero. When you’re ready to grow, read how I run multiple businesses with the right structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a newcomer start a business in Canada?
Yes. Many newcomers start businesses in Canada as sole proprietors or by incorporating a company. Your options depend on your immigration status and work permissions, so confirm what applies to you before you begin.
What should an immigrant entrepreneur learn first in Canada?
Start with the basics of Canadian tax and compliance: how your business will be taxed, when GST/HST registration is required and which CRA filing and payment deadlines apply. Getting these right early prevents costly penalties later.
Is Brampton a good place to start a business?
Brampton has a large, diverse and highly entrepreneurial population, which creates strong demand for services that understand newcomer families and small business owners.
Have a question about starting or growing your business in Canada? Get in touch with Gur Sian.
About the author: Gur Sian, MBA, CPA, is a Brampton, Ontario entrepreneur and the CEO of Wealth Street Services Inc. (accounting, tax, financial planning and investment management) and The Elev8 Media Inc. (digital marketing and video production). He also operates Sian Real Estate Inc.
[…] Running multiple businesses isn’t about working four times as hard. It’s about building a structure where each company stands on its own, shares what works and doesn’t depend on one person. Get the structure right first, and everything else gets easier. If you’re earlier in your journey, start with five lessons from building a business in Canada. […]