The Thriving Immigrant

Most immigrants and young adults don’t realize that building credit in North America hinges on what you know, not who you are. In this episode, we sit down with Reza Rahman, founder of AVA (a groundbreaking credit-building platform), to demystify the complex credit ecosystem. Reza shares his incredible personal journey from arriving in the U.S. at age 15 and facing massive credit hurdles, to becom...

Alykhan Jetha moved to Canada at just five years old after being expelled from Congo with his family. Tragically, two weeks into his new life, he lost his father. Despite the hardship, AJ’s resilience shone through, as he navigated poverty, limited resources, and cultural challenges; all while learning crucial lessons about mindset, self-awareness, and opportunity. #immigration #entrepreneurship #...

In this episode, Babatunde Omotoye popularly known as TundeTash reveals how an unplanned migration to Canada turned into a decade of relentless hustle, resilience, and strategic shifts. After arriving as an international student with limited funds, he navigated the challenges of work permits, permanent residency, and entrepreneurship, often transforming setbacks into stepping stones. You'll discov...

Most immigrants underestimate how crucial a strong support system is in Canada, especially during the first year. Odun Bola Adesoppe, a licensed immigration consultant and immigrant herself, reveals the unseen challenges and overlooked opportunities that can make or break your migration journey. From her personal story of moving to Canada with her family in 2018 to the powerful impact of community...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr Zino Ojogbo, a nanotechnology researcher. She is also a sessional lecturer at the prestigious University of Waterloo. #canada #scholarships #immigration After finding herself in an abusive marriage, she made the difficult decision to leave with her young son and start over. In the middle of a painful divorce, life dealt another blow when she lost her jo...

Join us in this compelling episode as we delve into the transformative journey of Doyin Abitoye, the author of the powerful book "SHUSH". She was once a struggling immigrant who found her footing in Canada against all odds. Coach D's story is a testament to resilience and self-discovery. From facing identity crises and overwhelming challenges to emerging as a successful HR profession...

Most immigrants come to Canada seeking opportunity, but few realize how powerful audacity can be in transforming their journey. Uche Ughonu's story proves that being bold and showing it can open doors even in the toughest times. If you've ever doubted whether your courage can match your ambition, this episode is your wake-up call. In this memorable conversation, Uche shares his incredible...

When Gustav moved from Cameroon to the U.S. over 25 years ago, he arrived with big hopes of building the American dream. Fresh out of law school in Cameroon, he quickly realized that the path wouldn’t be linear. In search of opportunity, he transitioned into nursing, then IT, and eventually took the leap into business, all in pursuit of financial freedom. Gustav’s journey is a powerful example of...

This episode dives into the side of personal finance most people avoid but absolutely need to understand. I sit down with Fikemi, an estate planning lawyer to unpack: Powers of attorney Probate taxes Wills Legacy planning Common misconceptions about estate planning The simple steps that can protect your assets and your family. #estateplanning #lifeinsurance #personalfinance If you’ve ever wondered...

In this episode, Ehis Akhetuamhen, shares his remarkable journey from a humble background in Nigeria to becoming a Mergers and Acquisitions Consultant at Google. Growing up, he couldn’t even afford internet access, yet his determination led him to Berea College; the only tuition-free school in the U.S. for students from low-income families. #career #immigrant #personalfinance Ehis opens up about h...

In this inspiring episode of The Thriving Immigrant Podcast, I sit down with Imoleayo Ashogbon, the founder of Luminous Consultings Canada. He is a seasoned HR Consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. We unpacked his incredible journey of resilience and career growth in Canada. #careertips #HumanResources #CanadaImmigrant #Thethrivingimmigrant From applying to over 600 jobs before landing hi...

Thinking about owning a franchise but don’t know where to start? In this episode of  The Thriving Immigrant Podcast , I sit down with Adam Goldman, a seasoned franchise consultant with nearly a decade of experience helping people succeed in the franchise world. We talk about: The biggest mistakes buyers make. The U.S immigration pathway through franchising (E2 Visa) The most lucrative industries t...

In this episode of The Thriving Immigrant Podcast, I sit down with Osayi Lasisi, a marketing expert with over 13 years of experience in Big Tech and global agencies. Osayi shares her incredible journey from studying Law to pivoting into marketing and her immigration experience from Nigeria, to U.S, and now Canada. #entrepreneurship #smallbusinesstips #marketing We talk about what it’s like working...

In this episode of The Thriving Immigrant Podcast, I sit down with Kwankah Taka, the founder of DataGap Analytics, who shares his incredible 15-year journey in Canada. From moving to Yukon for work as an engineer, to witnessing how the country has changed over the years, and eventually making a bold pivot into data science. We talk about the mindset needed to transition into a new field, how he la...

In this episode of  The Thriving Immigrant Podcast , I sit down with  Tersoo Hulugh, founder of Maxify , and Scholar who shares the unexpected story of how a chance encounter changed the course of his life. What was meant to be a three-week trip to the U.S. turned into an entirely new journey after meeting a stranger at a party who happened to be a professor at South Dakota State University. That...

In this episode of The Thriving Immigrant Podcast, Dr. Dami shares her inspiring journey from immigrating to Canada to becoming a licensed dentist and why she had to go to the U.S. to complete her licensing program. She walks us through the step-by-step process for internationally trained dentists in Canada, the costs involved, and the challenges of representation for African and immigrant dentist...

Buying a home is exciting, but it can also come with unexpected expenses that catch many people off guard. In this episode, we break down some hidden costs of homeownership in Canada. From renovation and appliance costs to fencing, blinds, and other expenses that often come with pre-construction homes, we cover it all. We also talk about the importance of setting aside funds for emergencies, avoid...

In today’s real estate market, more and more people are finding themselves in difficult financial situations; whether it’s landlords whose tenants can no longer afford rent, or homeowners struggling to keep up with mortgage payments due to job loss or reduced income. #landlordproblems #rentalproperty #layoffs #realestateinvesting #personalfinance In this episode, we have a candid conversation abou...

The Canadian real estate market has been anything but stable lately. Prices have dropped significantly, many buyers are struggling to close their pre-construction deals. In this episode, I'm joined by Dammy Aromiwura a mortgage expert, the founder of MayApple Financials to break down what’s really going on. #torontorealestate #personalfinance We talk about:- Why so many pre-construction purcha...

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Adebayo Fasanya, a pulmonologist who migrated to Canada at 17 and built a successful career in the U.S. He’s also an investor and founder of two companies, Arkansas Lung Centre and Dr Breathe Easy Capital. We cover: His Immigration journey and why many doctors, despite high incomes, fall into the HENRY (High Earner, Not Rich Yet) category. Real estate investment st...

In this episode, I sit down with John Nova, founder of Javon Technologies. John shares his journey as an immigrant in Canada and his path into project management. We dive into job layoffs, why project management is one of the few roles that will stay relevant for years to come, and how immigrants can position themselves to thrive in their careers. We also explore the rise of AI and what the future...

Osinachi is a trained lawyer who developed passion for interior designing. She moved to Canada three years ago, leaving behind a successful interior design business in Nigeria. Starting over wasn’t easy, she faced self-doubt, cultural shifts, and the challenge of rebuilding her business in a new country. In this episode, she shares how she pushed through those early struggles and now runs her inte...

In this powerful episode of The Thriving Immigrant Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Lawoyin — a seasoned intensivist who has been practicing medicine in the United States for over 20 years. But his journey to success is far from typical. After losing his father at the age of 15, Dr. Lawoyin left Nigeria in his twenties in search of a better future. He landed in Dublin, Ireland, where he worked as a se...

When Dolapo moved to Canada at the age of 9, she had no idea what the future held. Today, she is the founder of StriveOpp; an organization helping immigrants land rewarding roles in tech sales. So far, Dolapo has supported students and professionals in securing admissions, scholarships, and tech sales roles worth over  $1.3 million  combined. Her story is nothing short of inspiring. In this episod...

In this inspiring episode, Abel Pagaling—founder of RISEC—shares his immigration journey from the Philippines to Canada in 1992 as a young boy, his path to building a successful career, and how he later launched RISEC, a nonprofit supporting immigrants. Abel opens up about the realities of growing up as an immigrant, insights from his 20+ year career, and the impact of volunteering, self-developme...