Newcomer learns the secret of success

By: Uday Sen

Image credit: Jason Briscoe on Unsplash 

The expression “that’s my secret sauce” is pretty common but it was new to me until some years ago. When I heard it for the first time, I thought it meant a special recipe!

When we were new in Canada and struggling to find jobs in our respective fields, my wife and I considered opening a takeout service from our home.

Fortunately we didn’t actually get around to doing so because there are so many checks and balances in the food-related industry. Which is a good thing as they are there for the protection of consumers, but as newcomers, we’d have found it hard to navigate the system. It isn’t as easy as setting up shop on your kitchen counter and offering a tiffin service!

But while we were debating the pros and cons, I happened to mention the idea to our neighbour Shyam who came to Canada many years before us and was an invaluable source of information and support.

He listed the steps involved and suggested we might like to ask a newcomer centre for further tips on how to set up a small business.

“It’s not going to be easy, but I’m sure you both will make a success of it,” he added. “I’ve seen how hard you work, that’s your secret sauce!”

But we are Bengalis, there is no “sauce” as such in our cuisine. Not like a base curry paste that you use in butter chicken or paneer dishes, and so I was a little confused. Did one have to have a sauce?

Seeing my befuddled expression, he smiled and explained that it meant the secret to one’s success.

Our hard work did see us through the early settling in period and did indeed turn out to be our secret sauce!   

 What’s your story? Every newcomer, no matter how savvy or where he or she comes from, has a story to share about their early days in Canada. Do you want to share your story? E-mail it to us at canadaboundimmigrant@rogers.com.