Shanum Immigration Services Inc. is an Immigration and settlement services company in Canada. Shaista Amjad, principal of the firm is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC# R531713) Licensed by Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). We interviewed her to find out more about her business story:
1. Please tell us about yourself, Your name? where you’re from?, where do you currently live?
A. My name is Shaista Amjad. I belong to a Pakistani Pashtoon family and currently I am in Mississauga, Ontario.
2. What services do you offer?
A. As Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, I provide professional advice on all Immigration matters. Our Services include but are not limited to Immigration through Express Entry, Family Sponsorships, Provincial Nomination Programs, Permanent Residence based on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds, Refugee Claims, Appeals, Hearings, Deportations, PR Revocation, Complex refused cases.
3. What inspired you to start your own business?
A. The answer to this question is multi fold. Since early age I was told by close family members, friends and teachers, that I have strong leadership qualities, which I later realized during my professional career that I have my own way to do things and can’t follow, but lead. And the answer to why Immigration? I am an Immigrant myself, I had to deal with some other Immigration Consultants and realized that people need better guidance and more personalized immigration ans settlement services. So I started Shanum Immigration Services.
4. What do you do to grow your business?
A. Provide Best Possible Service, that’s it. Most of my business is word of mouth and referrals. But I also have a social media presence, Facebook, Instagram, posting updates about changing policies regarding immigration programs for people to get benefit from them.
5. What were the challenges you faced and how did you overcome those challenges?
A. Challenges are part of any business and diverse to the nature of the business. I overcome it by strategizing to be prepared for future occurrences, patience, persistence and consistency. The biggest challenge I faced was gender inequality, people thought male ICCRCs know more that women, which I proved wrong times and again.
6. What advice would you give to others who want to start their own business?
A. Just don’t jump on any business thinking someone is doing it so you will also be successful. Research and analyzing your strengths, weaknesses, and nature is the key. Not everyone has the same strengths to fight the odds or overcome difficulties while establishing a business. If you are not a risk taker, business is not for you.
7. Interesting facts that people do not know about you?
A. I have been told that I am sympathetic, empathetic, good listener, proactive decision maker, authoritative (Lol), friendly, motivator and compassionate.
8. The best business advice you ever received was?
A. Keep emotions away from business dealings (which is impossible for me because of my nature).
9. How does your business help the community?
A. My business helps the community to make informed decisions about their immigration and settlement related matters, on how to protect themselves from fraud and scams.
10. How do you balance your business & home life?
A. It is not an easy task. My whole family is very cooperative. My husband helps me a lot in achieving this. I organize my priorities keeping in mind my personal and professional responsibilities.
11. Hobbies? Interests? How do you unwind yourself?
A. Playing badminton, hiking, swimming, Walks makes me a lot fresher, happier, and contented.
12. What is a day in your life like?
A. Apart from my religious activities, after breakfast and dropping children at school, I go through all the whatsapp chats, text messages, facebook messages, post updates, emails (personal and business), checking things to do list and write actions required or done. A drive with husband is a must to relieve myself from all the stress. a quite time to work on important part of client files, giving advises to fellow consultants in the whatsapp chats or on calls. Meeting appointments scheduled in advance and very often time answering to random calls.
13. How can we find you online- social media platforms sites & personal site & email etc?
Website: http://Shanumimmigration.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanumimmigration
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanumimmigration/
Linkdin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaista-amjad-6b289326/
Email: shanumimmigration@gmail.com
Would you like to have your business featured in our blog and social media? Please send us an email with your business name, description and website/ social media links at muslimmomsca@gmail.com
Samia Anwar
November 5, 2020 3:36 pmWonderful to see businesses thriving like hers. Thank you to Muslimmoms.ca team for this wonderful opportunity to feature Businesses owned by Muslim Women. Such opportunities are rare. Keep up the great work.
Hina Syed
November 9, 2020 5:11 pmLoved it! This was a wonderful way to learn not only about you but all your business goals and what you can do to help the community! Truly inspirational. Keep it up!