How to Build a Business You Actually Love
When you move to a new country, you start from zero. New systems, new language, new ways of doing things. And for many immigrants in Canada, building a business feels like a powerful way to create freedom and stability. But it’s not always clear what kind of business to build, or what success even looks like anymore.
Do you follow the path of growth and scale? Start a side hustle to pay the bills? Turn your career into freelance work? Or do you try to build something bigger? A company with a brand and a team?
We are not about to tell you what’s right. We’re here to help you figure out what’s right for you.
Let’s talk about how to build a business that actually fits your life and feels like your own.
Start with the Life You Want
Most people start with a business idea. But if you're new to Canada, you're already rebuilding your life. Why not start there?
Ask yourself:
What kind of day do I want to live?
How much time do I want for family, health, or faith?
Do I want flexibility, or am I ready to go all in?
If you’re working a full-time job to survive, your business might need to start as a side hustle.
That’s okay.
Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small.
Immigrant founders often face pressure from family, culture, or social media to “make it big.” But real freedom starts with alignment. Your business should serve your life, not overtake it.
Redefining Success Your Way
Let’s be real. Not everyone wants to be a CEO with a big team and 80-hour weeks. And not everyone wants to freelance forever either.
Both choices are valid.
And as part of starting with your life, you want to choose the path that fits it.
Here are a few paths are clients follow:
A side hustle that brings in $1,000/month and pays for their kids’ sports or your mom’s flights
A 6-figure solo business that gives them time and freedom
A 7-figure company that creates jobs for others as well
An 8-figure exit that builds generational wealth
Every one of these is “success”…
…if it aligns with your values and season of life.
Jores, one of the co-founders at Leficomp, spent years as a contractor in IT and data analytics. He didn’t build a big brand or hire a large team. Instead, he worked with great clients, delivered high-value services, and raised a family doing meaningful work on his terms.
With the right financial systems in place (good invoicing, clear cash flow, smart taxes), freelancing or contracting can be a powerful business model. For many, it’s not just a stepping stone. It’s the destination.
Where Passion Meets Skill
Building a business you love also starts with knowing what you love and what you're good at.
Passion gives you energy. Skill gives you confidence.
If you’re not sure what to build, look at:
What people ask you for help with
What you already do well at work or in your community
What lights you up when you talk about it
Try something on the side. Shadow someone you admire. Take on a small project.
You don’t have to figure it out all at once.
Clarity comes from action.
Do You Want a Business or a Job?
This question matters more than you think.
If your business only works when you’re working, you’ve built a job. That’s not a bad thing.
As we mentioned, Jores built a wonderful life as a contractor.
But it means your income is tied to your time. And if you get sick, take a vacation, or burn out, the business stops.
If you want something more flexible or scalable, you’ll need systems and a team.
Many business owners make the mistake of creating an organization that depends 100% on them. Even when they have a team.
That's why we created Launch360. To help you start and build your business the right way.
Set Goals That Feel Like Yours
Many immigrants carry invisible pressure:
To prove you made the right decision by moving
To support family back home
To look successful to others
These pressures can push you into goals that sound good, but feel heavy.
Try this instead:
Set goals that make you feel alive, not drained
Align your business plans with your health, your family, and your energy
Build a business that works for you, not one that uses you up
Your business should never come at the cost of your health.
If you have a full-time job and are starting something on the side, maybe the goal of having 2-5 clients by the end of the year is all you need to focus on.
Final Thoughts
There is no one way to build a business in Canada. Whether you’re:
Starting with a side hustle
Contracting based on your past career
Launching a company from scratch
Buying a business from a retiring owner
…your path is valid.
You’re not behind. You’re not alone. You’re building something real, one step at a time.
And if you want even more support, join our community of newcomers building businesses on their own terms. We share tools, real stories, and support for every stage.
