Newcomers strengthen Brandon’s economy

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/08/2023 (1123 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

At a time when some Canadian politicians are claiming that the federal government’s ambitious immigration target numbers are harming the national economy and worsening the shortage of housing in many communities, a number of new Brandon business owners are disproving those claims.

As reported in yesterday’s Sun, Brandon is experiencing a burst of new business growth thanks to investments and commitment by a number of recent immigrants to our city. The report featured Send Us Cleaning Services founder Friday Olowookere, who specializes in auto and office detailing. The cornerstone of his business is the meticulous manner with which he conducts his work, restoring vehicles to pristine condition.

The report also featured Alina Maksymiv and her sushi business named Enjoy. A native of Lviv, Ukraine, she told the Sun that “I believe any business should start with a desire to grow and develop, with eyes that shine from this work … That’s what makes it a success.”

Niral and Darpan Patel became the owners of the Guinness Tavern by the Double Decker in 2021, reopened it in 2022, and now have 16 employees on the payroll. Niral says that “We saw the potential of this business and wanted to bring back the memories of the past … We’re focusing on quality and customer service, and we’re seeing positive growth in our sales and customer base.”

In response to a perceived need for qualified driving instructors in the city, Samuel Solomon started AKSUM Driving School, which offers driving instruction in English, Arabic, Amharic and Tigrinya. A native of Ethiopia, he is serving our increasingly diverse population by offering practical instruction and online knowledge test preparation courses in multiple languages, along with interpretation services for written tests.

Eleonor Mascardo is the new owner of Happy Skin Laser + Aesthetic Clinic. Originally from the Philippines and already accredited as a registered nurse here in Canada, her business offers services such as laser treatments, botox, and fillers.

Muhammed Farqun is the former owner of Khan Foods, and now has plans to re-enter the food service market by purchasing a franchise. He is a good example of the resilience that we see among many of Brandon’s new entrepreneurs.

Many of us already know Sunday Frangi from his brief tenure as a member of city council. He plans to open Peoples’ Place Cafe Lounge, which will give newcomers the opportunity to connect with each other and their respective cultures. He told the Sun that “Brandon’s population is growing, and immigrants need something to connect with — activities, food, and social experiences that resonate with their backgrounds.”

On a related point, it was reported last month that a new community association named Pragati is raising money to build a new community centre for members of our city’s Indian diaspora. The founders of the organization, Nidhi Patel, her husband Krunal Patel and their friend, Maulin Patel, want to build a large community centre that would welcome all people of Indian heritage. The centre would host gatherings, be a place for younger generations to learn about their culture and languages, and would help Indian newcomers connect with professionals and businesses from similar backgrounds.

Those are just a few examples of the energy and optimism that many newcomers are contributing to our city’s economic growth and vitality through business investment and ownership. That’s in addition to the substantial contribution that many other newcomers are making either as owners or employees of businesses throughout Westman.

At a time when longtime business owners in the city appear hesitant to make the investments and apply the commitment necessary to make a new business thrive, it is encouraging that so many new Brandonites are willing to take the risk and do the hard work required to succeed.

Their enthusiasm, determination and willingness to embrace new challenges, in a new city far from their homeland, sets an example for all of us. They aren’t a drain our economy. To the contrary, they are an important and growing part of its future.