From Starting Over to Building a Business in Canada

00:00 Why showing up online can change everything
01:26 From South Korea to building a business in Canada
02:07 Starting over after a successful career back home
03:45 The truth about language barriers as an immigrant
05:06 Why professional experience doesn’t always transfer
06:17 Learning Shopify, skincare, and digital marketing during lockdown
08:02 The coffee conversation that changed her confidence
11:26 When people finally started seeing her value
13:35 Why personal branding should start before your business
20:15 The one mindset immigrants need to succeed

From starting over in Canada to building her own business, marketing strategist Sophia Seo shares a powerful immigrant story about resilience, personal branding, networking, and learning how to show up online.

In this episode of Newcomer Network on the U Multicultural Channel, host Jhocelin Gilbert speaks with Sophia about moving from South Korea to Canada, struggling to find a job despite her professional background, working in a downtown convenience store, and eventually building a career in digital marketing and entrepreneurship.

Sophia opens up about the pressure many newcomers face when they realize they may need to start from scratch in a new country. She also shares how the pandemic pushed her to learn Shopify, launch an e-commerce store, study digital marketing, and develop the skills that helped her become a marketing strategist.

This conversation is especially powerful for immigrants, newcomers, entrepreneurs, and anyone who feels invisible professionally. Sophia explains why networking is not transactional, why consistency matters, and why showing your face online can build trust, credibility, and business opportunities.

If you are a newcomer trying to rebuild your career, grow your confidence, or start a business in Canada, this episode will remind you that you do not need to wait until everything is perfect. You just need to start showing up.

Watch Newcomer Network on the U Multicultural Channel for real immigrant stories, practical advice, and inspiring conversations about building a new life in Canada.