An Immigration Consultant is a professional who provides support, advice and legal help to people who wants to come to a country for study, work, travel or business purpose or immigrate to a specific country and obtain the country’s citizenship. Today we have had the opportunity to feature Shafoli Kapur, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, who is licensed by Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council to practice Canadian Immigration. She is an expert in all fields of Canadian Immigration Law including the Canadian Express Entry programs, Family and Spousal Sponsorships, Work Permits and LMIA, Student and Visitor visas, Business Immigration, Humanitarian and Refugee claims and appeals. She answers key questions on what it takes to become an Immigrant consultant, starting her own consultancy company and gives significant information for potential future immigrants.
How did you start TDOT Immigration Service? Have you started by yourself?
Being an immigrant of Indian origin myself to this country of opportunities, I was always awed by how Canada was so open to immigrants. I also had come across many people who aspired to call this beautiful country home, but due to lack of resources or lack of awareness or simply put because of being duped by the “so-called-immigration-consultants” I had the desire to get into this industry to help the vulnerable. To help those aspiring individuals live their Canadian dream.
Since, in Canada, to practice Canadian Immigration legally, one needs to obtain a license. I underwent the necessary training and got my license to practice the profession.
I started TDOT Immigration by myself. Of course, in the backend, I always had the support of my family but TDOT Immigration is solely my baby.
Can you share a few steps that are needed before launching an immigration services company?
Well, I guess the first and foremost step is to understand what are the requirements to launch such a company. Almost every country has a regulation/law set up around immigration and to comply with that regulation is the first step to launching the company. In addition, it is mandatory to obtain the necessary education and licensing required to practice this profession.
What 5 tips do you have for anyone who is looking to immigrate to another country?
- First, check your eligibility
- Find the best program that suits your profile
- Be aware, don’t let any cheat or dupe you
- Seek help if required – But only from legitimate and professionals authorized to practice the profession
- Last and not least, prepare yourself for a few years of struggle, and perseverance when you move to a new country. Remember, Rome was not built in a day.
What are the first steps someone has to go through to apply for immigration in any country?
Checking your eligibility against the possible programs under which one can immigrate is the first step. The second step would be to arrange the documentation required to apply for such a program.
What are the common mistakes people make when they want to immigrate to another country, how can they avoid this?
The common mistakes people make are 1. To save money, hire an unauthorized consultant, completely rely on another person’s knowledge, and do no research of their own, thinking that moving to another country will change their life without putting any effort.
These mistakes can be avoided but first, ensuring that they only deal with an authorized and licensed professional. To ensure they have done enough research on the program they will eventually be applying under, asking questions from the consultant they have hired. And lastly, preparing themselves for hard work, and patience when moving to a new country.
What would you say are the key elements for starting a new life in a different country?
- Hard work,
- Networking – going out and meeting people. Not staying in their own cocoon.
- Perseverance,
- Learning new skills
- Open to change not only in jobs/ sector but also in lifestyle
- Mindset change
As an entrepreneur, what is it that motivates and drives you?
The joy and smile on my client’s faces upon getting success in their application is what motivates me and drives me.
I get up each morning looking forward to bringing a smile on my client’s faces and giving them that joy and ray of a better future.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
Helping people especially the vulnerable. Some people are genuinely in need of help such as refugees and people looking to immigrate under humanitarian grounds. In addition, temporary workers and international students at times face abuse from their employers. This profession gives me the power to assist the vulnerable. That’s what I enjoy the most about my job.
What activities do you enjoy outside of work?
Working out is my biggest stress buster. Other than that spending time with my kids and joining them in their activities such as rollerblading, swimming, etc gives me joy. Any time I spend with my kids is what I enjoy the most outside of work.
To what do you attribute your success?
My family. I am a mother of two young kids. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve an iota of what I have so far without the support and encouragement of my husband and parents. My husband’s trust in me is my strength.
What sacrifices have you had to make during life?
I have struggled extremely hard in my prime years 25-35. I sacrificed a lot of joys that my friends and counterparts were enjoying being in corporate careers. I did not have the financial flexibility. I would work around the client servicing my clients. But when I look back on the time today, I think the rate at which I have grown professionally is uncomparable.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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