6 Entrepreneur
“Being an entrepreneur is a mindset. You have to see things as opportunities all the time.” -Soledad O’Brien
Tareq Hadhad
Tareq Hadhad was born on October 21, 1992 in Syria, and moved to Antigonish, Nova Scotia in 2016. Before fleeing Syria’s civil war, Tareq’s father was a chocolatier and operated in Damascus for over 20 years and Tareq had completed four years of medical school in Syria. Tareq is widely recognised as the founder of “Peace by Chocolate”, an international public speaker and philanthropist.1
Upon resettling in Canada, the Hadhad family introduced their “Peace by Chocolate” brand to the local farmers’ markets. What started as a modest home-based chocolate-making endeavor soon caught the attention of customers and began to flourish. Following their initial success at local farmers’ markets, the company ventured into online sales, significantly broadening its customer base. In a pivotal move in 2018, Peace by Chocolate inked a partnership with Empire Co.’s Sobeys grocery store chain, guaranteeing national distribution across Canada through 900 stores within a span of two years. This strategic alliance catapulted Peace by Chocolate’s sales by an astounding 400 percent in 2018.1–3
Tareq Hadhad’s vision extends beyond mere success; he aspires to see Peace by Chocolate emerge as one of Canada’s premier chocolate companies within the next five years. This remarkable journey from humble beginnings to national recognition exemplifies the resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit of the Hadhad family.1
Key Takeaways
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Tareq Hadhad | LinkedIn
Ali Abouchadi
Ali Ahmed Abouchadi, a Lebanese immigrant, embarked on a remarkable journey that took him from his homeland to Canada in the early 20th century. This voyage was sparked by the famous Klondike Gold Rush of 1896 when a family struck gold, setting off a rush of over 100,000 miners to the Klondike region. However, by the time Ali’s family set out from Lebanon in 1905, the gold rush had long ended. Ali, just 13 years old, had joined his uncle Hussein Abouchadi and a friend, Sam Jamha, as they sought their fortunes in Canada 1,2.
Their journey took them from Lebanon to Canada via Montreal and Winnipeg. Upon their arrival in Canada, Ali faced the reality that the gold rush was over, and he began peddling small items like paper fans in Winnipeg to make a living. Ali’s resilience and adaptability led him to Edmonton, where he and Hussein started a mobile dry goods peddling business. They expanded their trade to include interactions with Indigenous communities, and Ali developed close ties with the Cree-speaking Indigenous people. He even learned the Cree language and invented Cree words for items he sold 1,2.
In 1906, they established a store in Lac La Biche, Alberta, but by 1909, Ali’s uncle returned to Lebanon, leaving 17-year-old Ali to continue his journey on his own. Over the years, Ali engaged in the fur trade, construction, and various business ventures. He played an active role in the construction of the Northern Alberta Railways, became a local agent for American companies, operated a sawmill, a gas station, and introduced the first grain harvester in Lac La Biche 1,2.
In 1919, a devastating fire destroyed much of Lac La Biche, including Ali’s department store. However, Ali had already become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the town, and he rebuilt his store. He further solidified his status as a prominent fur trader when the Hudson’s Bay Company ceased its operations in Lac La Biche in 1919 1,2
Ali’s adventurous spirit continued, leading him to Fort McMurray in 1925, where he established a floating store along the rivers of northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories. The Hudson’s Bay Company, alarmed by the competition, successfully lobbied to shut down Ali’s venture. Despite this setback, Ali’s success had reached Lebanon, leading to a gradual immigration of Lebanese Muslims to Lac La Biche. In 1936, he was contracted by the Canadian government to build a breakwater in Lac La Biche, and he also opened a larger department store in the early 1940s 1,2.
Key Takeaways
As Ali aged, he decided to settle down with his family, eventually selling his department store to the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1946. He moved to Edmonton, where he established a real estate business. Ali Ahmed Abouchadi’s legacy extended beyond business success. He made five trips back to Lebanon, completed the Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah twice, and had two marriages. When asked about his decision to move to Canada, he expressed pride in being Canadian. On December 10, 1985, Ali Ahmed Abouchadi passed away in Edmonton, marking the end of a remarkable life. His contributions were recognized with a park and pond named in his honor just outside Lac La Biche. 1,2.
