A Christmas pop-up market wasn’t exactly the kind of venue Amna Hakim had in mind for showcasing her curated collection of Islamic books. But if there’s one thing the fledgling entrepreneur has learned, it’s this: “Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, because you never know where it might lead or which door it might open.”

Of course, Hakim gave the free bazaar a try. “I thought, ‘What do I have to lose, other than my time?’ ”

She set up her small display of books alongside a handful of complementary crafts and trinkets. In doing so, she stepped into a world of retail that offered her new ideas, real conversations and just the kind of encouragement she needed.

“It was phenomenal,” said Hakim of the pop-up market. “It was full of energy and positive people. Everyone came up to me and asked how they could support my business. Everybody was there to lift each other up. It was such a great starting point.”

That experience in late 2023 also introduced Hakim to Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada, a new non-profit founded by award-winning Ottawa business leader Karla Briones, who also now works with Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada.

Briones came to Canada in her youth, leaving Chihuahua, Mexico after the cartel-plagued city no longer felt safe for her and her family. She watched her veterinarian father work to rebuild his practice in Ottawa. After completing her post-secondary studies in journalism, Briones decided to pursue entrepreneurship herself. She is the long-time owner of the Global Pet Foods stores in Hintonburg and Kanata.

In 2023, Briones rolled out her labour of love, Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada (IEC). It’s the only national organization dedicated exclusively to supporting immigrant entrepreneurs through culturally aware, community-driven programming.

“I created what I wished I would have had access to when I came to Canada,” Briones explained. “Both my parents and I were navigating entrepreneurship almost at the same time and were struggling while trying to figure out how to do things here.”

Briones credits early support from the RBC Foundation as critical to getting the program off the ground. “They were the first to believe in the vision,” said Briones. “When I started knocking on doors to launch this program, they’re the ones that said ‘yes’ and fully backed it.”

Hakim applied and was accepted into IEC’s inaugural Retail Incubator Program, held from May to October in 2024. It included a week-long residency at its Shipping Container Storefront in the ByWard Market.

‘Wings to fly’ — Amna Hakim

So far, 41 small businesses have graduated from the program, with 25 currently participating in its third and largest cohort. Briones said the progress has been remarkable.

“I’m really seeing what I envisioned: entrepreneurs building something that has the potential to grow and that allows them to dream even bigger,” she said.

IEC is currently working with students in the Master of Design program at Carleton University to help expand the Retail Incubator Program across Canada.

“The program changed my life,” said Hakim. “There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t say a little prayer for Karla because she really did give me the wings to fly. She recognized my potential long before I did.”

The entrepreneur recently expanded from her online business to a storefront on Richmond Road in Westboro. With Canada’s Muslim population continuing to rise, there’s a growing demand for modern Islamic literature. Love Lyla Books specializes in that genre, as well as mainstream fiction by Muslim authors.

The shop also features a children’s section with plush dolls, crafts and other merchandise with a connection to Islam. “It doesn’t mean you’re going the whole religious route; you can express your faith in a way that’s beautiful and ornate,” said Hakim, who’s interested in growing her business through the addition of a travelling bookmobile.

Love Lyla Books’ eco-friendly shopping bags were designed by PINBOX entrepreneur Anastasiia Temborska, who participated in the Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada program with Amna Hakim after fleeing here from Ukraine in 2022. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Love Lyla Books carries books alongside a curated collection of faith-inspired items. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The store carries more than 600 titles, all written in English. About 80 per cent of customers are not Muslim, said Hakim, who’s called Canada home since moving from Pakistan at 17 with her family for her father’s work.

“People are looking for diversity; they’re looking for books to teach our kids about our differences and to celebrate them in a positive way through good literature,” said Hakim. “I’m able to put it together in one place and create a niche collection.”

Hakim takes a community-minded approach, using her shop to bring people from all walks of life together. “In a way, we all have similar values and the same goal — to be kind and good to each other, and to lift each other up.”

She’s also bringing community together by hosting Mommy & Me groups and author book signings at her store.

Her foray into books didn’t begin as a business, but as an effort to purchase a title only available in the U.K. Faced with high shipping costs, she used her limited savings to purchase 100 copies of Connecting with Allah, a collection of Islamic poetry she describes as beautifully written, illustrated and bound.

She sold all her copies within months.

“As soon as word got out amongst my network, people kept approaching me,” she said. “It was amazing.”

She reinvested the proceeds into expanding her collection. She began her business online because it was easier to balance with motherhood. She’s a single parent of three children, with strong support from her family.

Hakim named her business after her eldest daughter Lyla, now nine. “When she started writing her name, she would always write ‘Love Lyla’,” said Hakim, who found the habit endearing. She also felt the name held universal appeal.

Briones believes Hakim’s success is just the beginning.

“I’m incredibly proud of her,” said Briones. “And I’m excited for what the future holds.”

Love Lyla Books’ storefront at 95 Richmond Rd. encourages a love of reading among children. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Syntax Strategic, RBC, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, Welch LLP, and Brazeau Seller Law.
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