Anna(33)

In Den Bosch I ran an artisan ice cream shop for five years. Good reviews, loyal customers, but margins in Dutch hospitality are razor-thin. When I read about the PEI PNP Work Permit Entrepreneur program, I got curious. Prince Edward Island — Canada's smallest province — actively seeks entrepreneurs who want to start or acquire a business. Requirements: minimum CAD 150,000 investment and a business that creates jobs for Canadian workers.

I flew to Charlottetown for an exploratory visit. PEI is breathtaking: red sand beaches, green hills, lobster shacks along the coast. Tourism is growing — Anne of Green Gables attracts visitors from around the world — but there was not a single artisan ice cream shop. I saw my chance. I wrote a business plan, found a location on Victoria Row in downtown Charlottetown and submitted my PNP application.

The PEI PNP Entrepreneur process is more personal than in larger provinces. I had an interview with provincial officials who reviewed my business plan, assessed my experience and even visited my location. After approval I received a work permit to set up my business. The condition: within two years the business must be operational and employ at least one Canadian worker.

The opening of my ice cream shop was an event. PEI is a tight-knit community — everyone knows everyone and news travels fast. The local newspaper wrote an article, neighbors brought flowers and on opening day there was a line around the block. My Dutch flavors — stroopwafel ice cream, advocaat ice cream, drop ice cream — were a hit. Canadians love anything "Dutch."

Life on PEI is slow, in the best way. No traffic jams, no stress, no anonymity. The neighbors bring homemade jam, the lobster fisherman next to my shop delivers fresh lobster for my lobster ice cream (yes, it exists and it sells like crazy) and in the evening you can see the stars in a way impossible in the Netherlands. The downside: winters are quiet. Very quiet. I use the winter months for product development and catering.

After two years I have two employees, growing revenue and my PR application has been approved. PEI gives you something larger provinces don't: a community that adopts you. My advice to entrepreneurial Dutch people: think small. Not every successful emigration needs to be in Toronto or Vancouver. Sometimes the smallest island is the biggest opportunity.