Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in career and personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Emanuel Petrescu, co-founder of Immigrant Success Canada, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Immigrant Success Canada is a coaching business that helps immigrants (with a focus on newcomers) have a successful and happy life in their new country. Our coaching program has a five-module curriculum focusing on happiness and success for 20+ years.

Tell us about yourself

I came to Canada in late 2016, and although I had an education and some experience, there still was a "struggle" adapting to my new country. And it's fair to say that every new immigrant has a buffer period. After a while, when things "settle," you can become successful in your new journey, but many are missing the happiness part. So I, with the other co-founder, structured this program based on our experience while identifying a gap in the programs that support newcomers. We've created it in such a way as it was addressed to us back when we came. Success is not everything.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As any business owner will tell you, it is not as easy as some make it sound. The fact that we're still a business and that we provide value to others and help them achieve great results sooner rather than later is the biggest accomplishment, and it's why "we're in business."

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

As a business owner, you are faced with many challenges. I would say that the biggest is the responsibility you carry for the business, for your self and for anyone who depends on the success of your business. On top of that sits the responsibility you have for your customer. He reached out to you for a reason, and you don't want to disappoint.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

I would say one would be to have passion. A note that the word "passion" implies not only the positive aspects - "strong and barely controllable emotions," one definition Google offers. It's hard being passionate about something as it tends to reflect on the personal aspect of your life. That said, others can tell when you love what you do.

The second "tip" is to be persistent. Don't give up. Ask any business owner, even the more successful ones - they feel like quitting at least three times a day. Or they had in the past. I know someone ending their emails with "success is inevitable," so...

The third would be to get the "premium" stuff. Invest in a good computer, internet connection, a premium hosting service, a premium subscription, etc. It can be expensive if you add them all up and think twice or thrice before purchasing that. But if you know you'll need it, make the investment. It will pay off.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://isc-go.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iscgocan/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immigrant-success-canada/


If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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