Syrian refugee family given chance at 'Canadian dream' by former refugee, now Vancouver entrepreneur

Over the last decade,Karina Hayat has built a multimillion-dollar online marketing company, but when she arrived in Vancouver as a young girl more than 20 years ago, she didn't even speak English.

"That was the biggest shock," recalled Hayat, whoseparents brought the family toCanada as political refugees, fleeing the civil war in Guatemala in 1991.

"We didn't have any family here so it was just the six of us. We only had each other."

At 11 years old,Hayatsaid it felt like she was starting a new life.

"Ithink the biggest challenge is the fact that you essentially are writing off your entire pastyou're starting from scratch,you lose your identity. Even as an 11-year-old, Ilost my identity."

Hayatsays the first few years in Vancouver were the toughest, as she watched her parents struggle to find work in their trained fields of teaching and nursing.

"One of the big things that Iwas able to bring with me fromGuatemalawas just the work ethic my parents taught me," she said.

"Iworked my butt off to learnEnglish.I think it took me about six months.Iwas speaking the language at least communicating effectively and translating for my parents."

Living the 'Canadian dream'

As Hayatcontinued with her education in Canada, she launched her own marketing companywith her husband Zeeshan, who also immigrated to Canada as a child.

"We started our business back in 2001 when we were going to college. Iremember Iwas working twopart-time jobs and had a singing gig, my husband as well was working twopart-time jobs and we were building this business."

That business PrizmMedia now employs 20 people in Vancouver and has 150 contractors around the world.

It has won several awards, including being named one of Canada's fastest growing marketing companies. Both Karina and Zeeshan Hayathave been named in Business in Vancouver's top 40 under 40.

Hayatsaidhersuccess is the "Canadian dream."

"Ithink Canada gives you so much opportunity and so much support," she said.

'We only live one life'

Now, the Vancouver woman who says Canada took a chance on her, is giving back, hoping to give someone else the same opportunity to realize their dreams.The Hayats are privatelysponsoring a Syrian refugee family.

"People arescared about what sort of things are they going to come withwhat sort of problems they're going to bring to the country, but Ithink the biggest thing we have to look at,we always have to be positive and see what is the potential, what is the potential these people can bring into the country?"

"Two of my other siblings are [also] entrepreneurs, my other sister is a teacher as well. We're giving back, we're paying taxes, we're contributing, we're making a difference in people's lives everyday."

Hayatsays the decision to sponsor a refugee family was simple.

"We only live one life and we have to give back while we're still here... We don't know how long we'regonnagive, so this is the time," she said.

"We're hoping this family will be able to integrate as quickly as possible into the country. [We hope]that we'll be able to give them a hand and hopefully have them be an extended part of our family."

Hayat says herthree children are eagerly awaiting thearrival of the refugee family, expected sometime in January.

"They're just absolutely excitedthey wanted to adopt children, so they can share their room with them."