Last year, he came here as a refugee. Now, he's a business owner

June 1 was a significant date forAlhakamAlsheikh. On that day, he took ownership of the small business that had given the Syrian refugee a livelihood not long after he arrived in St. John's.

"I had my own shop in my country, in Syria, for five years," saidAlsheikh, who fled Syria when his country descended into chaos seven years ago.

After arriving in Newfoundland in March 2017,Alsheikhfound work last fall with theComputer Liquidation Centre in Mount Pearl, working as a technician at the company, which specializes in computer refurbishing.

Seven months later, though, Alsheikhlearned that his source of employment wouldclose: owner Leonard Power decided to retire.

Alsheikh, though, presented an alternative for the company.

"In May, the owner decided to close it, and I decided to take over this company on June 1," he said in an interview.

'I am sure he will succeed'

Power told CBC News he was delighted to seeAlsheikhstep forward and keep the company running.

"For my golden years, I will step aside and Iwill let Al take over, and I wish him good luck. I am sure he will succeed," Power said.

"He is a very intelligent man."

Power saidAlsheikhquickly made an impression at the business.

"The rest is just history, and now he isrunning the place."

Alshheikh raised the money to buy the company's fixed assets, and is now renting the space from Power.

ForAlsheikh, he sees the movean excellent opportunity for financial profit, as well as a good way to support his family and stay in Newfoundland.

He found the job originally throughAXIS, the employment office of the Association for New Canadians in St. John's. He wound up working at the Computer Liquidation Centre just a week after being interviewed, and soon after he submitted his resum.

Left old life behind

This is the second such businessAlsheikhhas owned. He started his first in Syria in 2006, but found himself in danger when the country fell into civil war in 2011.

After being drafted into the army, he decidedto escape to Saudi Arabia.

He later sought refuge in Canada for himself and his wife. He was privately sponsored to come to Newfoundland, finally arriving in March 2017.

"I like this city [and]the people here," he said, describing Newfoundlanders as kind. He added that since he took ownership, clients have been inviting their friends to support his business.

" I can see that here in Newfoundland I've got a good chance to grow," he said.

Alsheikhsaid there are opportunities for otherentrepreneurialnewcomers.

"I ask every newcomer to start its new business here."