Hustling into work for an eight-hour shift at a fast-food chain has become a lot easier for a Calgary man, after he went from being an employee to being the owner.
Simeon Monte, a Calgary-based Filipino business owner, landed in Canada more than a decade ago as a skilled cook with a passion and background in the culinary world. After almost 10 years in the music industry in the Philippines, Monte decided to work overseas, where he gained relevant experience, which he applied to where he is now as a business owner.
“Everything is new when you move to other country,” said Monte as he reminisced about his humble beginning in Canada. “Actually, I did not have any plan moving to other country, but for some reasons destiny brought me here.”
To a person who has dreams like Monte, working in different industries is not a hinderance. Monte looked at his experience working in various sectors such as food, healthcare, and small business as learning opportunities to grow in the field he is passionate about. The businessman kept the fire burning by learning new things as he expanded his horizon by returning to school where he took the Business Administration program, which helped him prepare to turn his vision of serving quality food to the community a reality and named it Sky’s Food Company PARES ARBP. Canada.
It wasn’t an overnight process. Monte says establishing a business takes a lot of planning and thinking. Despite having work experiences in different fields, Monte followed his calling and his passion for food by opening his own fast-food restaurant.
“I put in my pocket everything I have learned working in different restaurants, which I am now applying in running my own business,” he said.
Just like raising a child, establishing a business take support system to maximize its full potential and be more operational. To accompany him in his journey in the business world, Monte used his network to get reliable employees for his food company.
“It has been a great experience working with Simeon because I am learning a lot of things that I can use also in establishing my own business in the future,” said Melybeth Guillermo, a team member of Sky’s Food Company. “I admire him for showing me where your determination and ability can walk you through even if putting up a business is hard,” she added optimistically.
Sky’s Food Company PARES ATBP. Canada, owned by Monte, is celebrating its first anniversary in just a few weeks.
“It feels like home because this is one of the food places where I would eat in the Philippines if I were there,” said satisfied customer Veronica Vega. “Aside from the delectable foods, the owner and the staffs are friendly so I will continue recommending it to others.”
Packing bags, leaving everything back home and migrating to another country take lots of risks and bravery. Yet, people are courageously taking the risks and are looking forward to having the life they dream of in the land of opportunity, Canada, as Monte described.
When asked about his message to aspiring businessman, Monte said “If you have ideas in mind, do not let those sit for so long, otherwise those will fade away. You have to start and try it out in any possible way.”
