THE FAIZER ABDELGADIR STORY

Sponsored feature by the Edmonton Community Foundation

Faizer Abdelgadir is from Sudan and she came to Canada in 2002. She is a single mother of four children who started her company because she is passionate about owning her own business. She owned a cleaning company in Egypt and was self-employed. She worked for a few companies and gained other experiences in daycare, security, cleaning, and her husband’s shoe-making business. Trying to raise the children and being low-income prevented her from going to school, as she did not have a choice. Friends of hers suggested starting a small cleaning company and so she registered the company but it was difficult finding contracts. After a few months, another friend suggested cleaning Su- perStore because they needed a cleaning company and they worked together. At that point, Faisa realized that she could attend school, and started attending college and studied business accounting. She completed her courses and received her degree. She opened her own office for six months, and then the pandemic forced her to work from home. Faizer still needs clients and customers and works the night shift with the cleaning company but she continues to press on.

“It’s not easy to build your own business,” Faizer states. First, you need experience, customers, and work. Faisa works with her community and even though her grown children help her, she understands that they need to thrive at what they are doing as well. Faizer now has two businesses. She does accounting and helps others apply for Employment Insurance, helps them with their resume, or fills out sponsorship applications.

Faizer works with her community by helping them understand what is going on in Canada and the province. Many people do not know how to write a resume or apply for school, jobs, or programs. She gives them resources to use or refer to help benefit