Nader Basha, confectioner: "Newcomers who dream of their own business should just try 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."

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