When they arrived in London, Paula Vergara and Federico Pereanez needed help to get on their feet in Canada.
Fifteen years later, the couple own a London-based social media and marketing business that keeps them busy with work they love -- and say they want to give back to the country that welcomed them.
“When we got here, we had nothing. We couldn’t speak any English - I couldn’t even ask for a coffee,” says Paula, who arrived in London in 2004 with her family.
“We got help from Ontario Works, the food bank, churches, OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program). You don’t see that in Colombia and we wanted to say thank you.”
In February -- less than a year after launching a business called Half & Half Social -- the couple started a new social media campaign that aims to promote other small businesses and community organizations across London.
“We are a small business. We know how difficult it is. We wanted to provide the support to entrepreneurs and also showcase the city and events,” says Paula.
They everyone who dreams of becoming an entrepreneur to follow their ambition.
“If someone asks me should I start my own business. I say do it. If you are willing to eat tuna and crackers do it,” adds Paula, with a laugh.  “Yes, it’s not easy,” agrees Federico. “But everyone should try. We know of very successful stories of immigrants.”
But like many immigrants, Federico and Paula know all about taking chances.
The couple had been working together at a call centre in Colombia when Paula’s family decided to move to Canada in search of new opportunities. She planned her good-byes, but just before she left, Federico asked her to marry him. Paula said she would, but only if he came to Canada. 
“I said ‘see you there.’” Federico says.
Once they settled in Canada, Federico pursued work in motion graphics and web design. He took courses and became experienced. Paula also started learned graphic design.
Federico freelanced for a decade, working for production companies in London and Toronto, while Paula worked as a supervisor at a call centre and did freelance on the side.
In March 2018, the couple -- who have two little girls -- took another chance and launched Half&Half Social. Their clients include the City of London, area restaurants and businesses, as well as Colombia-based businesses.
“We were not expecting to get rich, but we like it,” says Paula.
Then this year, they started #half&halfonthego a social media campaign to showcase “all aspects of life in London, Ontario.”
The goal is to highlight small businesses and help them build a social media profile. They have done several videos for social media, but are looking for sponsors to help them continue the campaign.
 “We love what we do,” says Paula. “We want to keep doing it.”

You know it’s going to be a sweet interview, when there’s candy on the table. 
And that’s a given, when the interview subject is Nader Basha, founder of London’s Basha Handy Candy -- a soft, squishy confectionery better known to many Syrians as “Shutti Mutti”.
Nader, a Syrian refugee who arrived in London in 2015, launched the business with his brother last year, carrying on a family tradition that started across the world nearly 70 years ago. 
The first challenge in starting his own business was saving enough money to get started, says Nader. The next challenge was taking such a big risk. 
“When you are a newcomer, every dollar counts for you,” says Nader. “That’s a hard step to take. A few thousand dollars to start is like millions for a newcomer, so sometimes people are scared to lose money in the investment.”
His advice to newcomers who dream of their own business is “Just try it.” 
 “After being here for years, you may regret it if you didn’t try.”
It was his grandfather who first began making and selling Shutti Mutti back in Syria in 1948. 
He continued making candy in Jordan after fleeing war in Syria in 1982, and a decade later, Nader’s father joined the business, which is still open today.
Born a Syrian refugee, Nader grew up in Jordan. He has a bachelor’s degree in business, but his passion has always been making candy. 
Tears come to his eyes as he thinks of how proud his late grandfather would be of the brothers.
“He encouraged us. He believed that a refugee needed a profession. It would help them to help themselves,” says Nader. Nader started working as soon as possible, after immigrating to Canada along with his mom and two sisters.
For two years, he saved up, taking on customer service jobs -- like driving for Uber -- that would allow him to talk to people and practice his English. He also got a job at Cargill Canada. 
Meanwhile, he started checking out the local candy and noticed there was nothing like Shutti Mutti.
That gave him hope. 
When his brother emigrated to Canada, they rented a small factory on Quebec street, bought some used equipment and then started making candy. 
They gave samples to their friends, family and coworkers. It was a hit, especially with immigrants from Middle Eastern countries whose faces would often light up at the sight.
 “They would remember it from their childhood. That’s a good feeling,” says Nader. 
 He knew it wouldn’t be easy to convince new stores to sell his products so he brought samples to convenience stores in Southwestern Ontario. 
This fall, the brothers got a deal with a national distribution company, which is helping them achieve their dream to “build a Canadian brand of this candy,” Nader says.
“I like candy. When you eat candy, you forget all your problems - at least during the time you are eating it,” he says with a laugh. “It’s a simple way."