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PROFILE FRANCK NDAYUBASHE

Bowtie business

By Rebeca Kuropatwa

Franck Ndayubashe was sent to Canada at 14 years old to escape the civil war in Burundi, East Africa. He and his brother came to live with their older brother in Montreal, which was a good fit considering Ndayubashe’s mother tongue was French. But he decided to leave the Quebec city to attend the University of Winnipeg as he wanted a quiet place with few distractions so he could focus on studying and his future plans. He always knew he wanted to open a business one day, so he majored

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How did you come up with the concept for Off The Wood? In thinking about fundraising ideas to send money back home [to Burundi], and being a bowtie person, I remembered a wooden necklace that I had when I was young and how people commented on it a lot. So, I thought, why not make wood bowties? In my research, I found that people had been doing this, but not in Canada. I hadn’t seen anybody doing it here. So, I contacted a carpenter that I knew in Quebec to make one for me and we were in business right away.

As a newcomer going into business in Canada, what kinds of qualities are important? Getting involved! Being an immigrant here, coming from a different culture, you are in a country that is multicultural. You have to be around, involved in as many ways as you can. You have to welcome everyone, not be afraid of being surrounded by other people. Learn other cultures. Hang out with different people from different countries. It gives you different perspectives.

Why did you decide to settle and establish your business in Winnipeg? I came to Winnipeg for school and decided to stay, as it is a small city that I have some friends in, but we rarely see each other. We see each other for birthday parties or occasions, which is perfect. It gives me a chance to be in my corner and focus on what I do.

Do you have any advice for other immigrant entrepreneurs starting up a business in Canada? Never be afraid! Most people, when they think about business, they think about having to go through the paperwork — you need money all this kind of stuff — and it blocks them from even getting started in anything. Any idea is good if you believe in it. You have to never be afraid and just go into it and try. If you never try, you will never know. You have to put work into it before you can expect anything out of it. Don’t think about the hours you put in. Don’t think about the money. Think about the idea and the reason you are in business. Have a clear vision of what you are doing and why.

B.C. >> The province of British Columbia has placed a temporary moratorium on new applications to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) Skills Immigration stream and Express Entry stream until early 2016. The BCPNP will, however, continue to accept applications under the health care professional and northeast pilot project categories. The entrepreneur immigration stream will also continue to accept applications, up to a maximum of 200 per month.

Alberta >> No new applications are being accepted under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program until Jan. 27, 2016, because of a backlog of approximately 10,000 applications awaiting assessment. Applications postmarked after Aug. 27, 2015, are being returned. For the meantime, interested individuals in immigrating to Alberta can still apply through the federal Express Entry system. Nova Scotia >> A recent report called Now or Never: An Urgent Call for Action for Nova Scotians, which was led by Ray Ivany, the president of Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, states that immigration to Nova Scotia is crucial to fix the small province's economy, but the numbers are being stalled by the federal immigration system. “We feel that we are at a point — an inflection point if you will — that, if the current trend line continues unabated, then you really are going to see a prolonged downward spiral,” says Ivany.

CANSPEAK

Look before you leap Don’t leap without looking where you are jumping is the literal meaning of this saying, but it’s an apt metaphor for making sure you think before you act.

No pain, no gain You have to work hard, and even suffer a little, to achieve your goals.

Truth is stranger than fiction It’s true that real life can be more amazing and even more unbelievable than made-up stories. Your own immigration story might just be one of them!

SKILLS CONNECT FOR IMMIGRANTS

Your career in Canada starts here.

New to Canada? Looking for work in your field? Let us help. Lower Mainland 604 438 3045 or 604 588 7772 Fraser Valley 604 866 1645 or 604 866 0257 skillsconnect@douglascollege.ca

douglascollege.ca/skillsconnect

This program is free!

People Helping People

This project is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

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