Community is key for immigrant entrepreneur success

Figuring out public transportation, opening a bank account or finding local places to eat and shop might seem like everyday tasks, but for someone moving to a new country, they can become major challenges. When you add starting a business to the mix, setting up or growing a company while adjusting to life in a new country can be overwhelming.

Bruce Faulkner, founder of fintech startup Proxy, knows this firsthand. After moving from Nigeria to Canada, he found that the biggest obstacles weren’t just related to his business but also involved these simple steps.

Bruce Faulkner, PORCH Member

“People forget that when you move to a new country, you will need help with things as little as grocery shopping,” said Faulkner.

His experience isn’t unique among immigrant entrepreneurs in Canada. Faulkner found support through an exclusive community called PORCH, a Canadian organization that provides resources and support for immigrant entrepreneurs and professionals. PORCH was founded by Neil and Hunter Weitzman about 18 months ago.

“We saw a group of people with a specific set of challenges and situations, and realized that if they had a real community, it would solve or at least make a lot of those challenges just a little bit easier,” said Neil Weitzman.

PORCH has become a valuable resource for immigrant entrepreneurs like Faulkner, providing essential local insights and support, from business advice to personal recommendations. The Weitzmans describe it as a community where people feel supported and understood that encourages inclusivity and diversity in the startup ecosystem.

“I don’t feel alone,” said Faulkner. “I’ve seen a lot of other people who’ve gone through what I’m going through and it gives us a sense of togetherness.”

In Canada, immigrants own 32 per cent of all businesses with paid staff, which is higher than the rate among the Canadian-born population. One study suggests immigrants are more likely to become entrepreneurs because those who move to a new country are often more willing to take risks. Immigrant entrepreneurs in Canada also show slightly higher rates of innovation. For example, 29 per cent of immigrant-owned small and medium-sized businesses reported implementing new products over the past three years, compared to 27 per cent among Canadian-born business owners. 

Given their significant contributions to the economy and productivity, the Weitzmans believe immigrant entrepreneurs should have access to the support and resources they need to succeed and continue making an impact. 

“They’re coming to a new country with very little to no network and they’re starting from scratch,” said Hunter Weitzman. “I think a lot of the challenges faced as an immigrant entrepreneur can be solved through connecting with the right people and that’s a lot of what this community is about, building those relationships.”

“PORCH is built to support you no matter where you are in your immigration entrepreneurship journey,” said Neil Weitzman. “Whether you’re just starting your business and you’re on your way to Canada, or you’ve been in Canada as an immigrant for 20 years and you’re running a business, community has extreme value.”

The PORCH community includes an online group where members can chat any time of day about everything from marketing strategies and legal advice to finding the best grocery deals or banking services. PORCH also hosts weekly virtual meetups and in-person events, including an upcoming PORCH Potluck in Toronto on August 23. These gatherings offer entrepreneurs a platform for networking, sharing knowledge, and connecting with others who understand what they’re going through.

“It’s about good people helping good people,” said Neil Weitzman. 

Anna Sotnykova, PORCH Member

One of those people is Anna Sotnykova, who joined PORCH last year. She says being part of the community has been a great way to connect with others and learn from their experiences. Although Anna moved to Canada over 20 years ago when she was just 10, she joined PORCH to explore and connect with the business community.

“What’s great is that we all come from different sectors and industries,” said Sotnykova. “PORCH bridges those gaps as we work through our professional journeys and brings people with different skill sets together.”

Also a member of PORCH, Somayeh Akbarshahi, who arrived in Canada in 2023 as part of the country’s Start-Up Visa Program, says being part of this community helped her find a place to live and understand Canadian business practices, everything from filing a tax return to creating a company logo.

Somayeh Akbarshahi, PORCH Member

“I had the opportunity to meet lots of amazing people,” said Akbarshahi. “I know in the internet era we have access to artificial intelligence and Google but we still need to hear from people and hear firsthand experiences. We are all humans and we need this human contact.”

The Wetizmans plan to reach even more individuals as they look to expand their reach. After recently launching PORCH in the United States, the company will extend its support to immigrant entrepreneurs across North America.

As for Faulkner, as he continues to benefit from the PORCH community, he’s working to build a financial institution specifically for newcomers. His goal is to provide the support and streamlined processes needed so immigrants can start fresh without having to start from scratch.

“We’re saying, you’re new to Canada but you’re not new to the world,” said Faulkner. “We want you to be able to use your history in this new place that you moved to.”