From Syria to Success in Canada: The Story Behind Better Steering and Automotive Inc.
By Carlos | Atlantino
One of the biggest challenges every newcomer faces after arriving in Canada is knowing who to trust.
Whether it's finding a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant, or a mechanic, building that first network of trusted professionals takes time.
That is exactly why Atlantino exists—to connect immigrants with businesses and professionals who have earned the trust of the community.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Malik, an engineering student and the son of Anas, owner of Better Steering and Automotive Inc. in Saint John, New Brunswick.
What started as a simple interview quickly became an inspiring conversation about immigration, family, entrepreneurship, honesty, and hard work.
From Syria to Canada
Although Malik's family is originally from Syria, he spent most of his life in the United Arab Emirates, where his father worked as an engineer.
After graduating from high school, Malik decided to move to Canada to pursue higher education.
Today, he holds a Mechanical Engineering diploma, is completing a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, and is also working toward becoming a Red Seal Certified Automotive Technician.
For Malik, education alone isn't enough.
"I don't just want certificates. I want to prove my skills through real-world experience."
Working in the family business allows him to combine engineering knowledge with hands-on mechanical experience.
Building a Family Business
Working with family has its challenges.
Malik admits that separating work from family life wasn't always easy.
"If you have a disagreement at work, you go home together. If something happens at home, you'll see each other again at the shop the next morning."
Over time, they learned an important lesson:
Home is home.
Work is work.
That balance has allowed both father and son to grow together while helping build a successful business.
Honesty Comes Before Perfection
When I asked Malik what Canadian customers value the most, his answer came immediately.
"Honesty."
He explained something every business owner should remember.
Nobody is perfect.
Mistakes can happen.
What truly matters is how you respond when they do.
"If a shop makes a mistake but takes responsibility and fixes it, I would still go back. But if they refuse to stand behind their work, I won't."
That philosophy has become one of the foundations of Better Steering and Automotive Inc.
Respect the Country That Welcomed You
As an immigrant himself, Malik shared advice for others starting a new life in Canada.
"Respect the country you're living in. Respect its rules. It doesn't matter how things were done back home. What matters is respecting the laws and culture of the place you're living now."
Simple advice, but incredibly valuable.
Hiring People, Not Nationalities
I also asked whether they prefer hiring people from certain backgrounds.
His answer was straightforward.
"No."
Their team has included Syrians, Canadians, and students completing high school co-op placements.
According to Malik, nationality has never been the deciding factor.
What matters is attitude, work ethic, honesty, and the willingness to learn.
His father has invested significant time training young people with little or no experience because he believes everyone deserves an opportunity.
Whether someone is Canadian, Syrian, Latin American, or from anywhere else in the world makes no difference.
Starting a Business in Canada
Running a business in Canada isn't impossible—but it requires preparation.
According to Malik, opening a company is relatively easy.
Operating it correctly is the real challenge.
Taxes, regulations, permits, insurance, and ongoing paperwork require constant attention.
His advice for future entrepreneurs is simple.
"Learn the rules. And don't be afraid to hire a professional at the beginning. Spending a little money on good legal or business advice can save you much bigger problems later."
What Makes Better Steering and Automotive Inc. Different?
When I asked what separates their shop from others, Malik smiled.
"We're busy... and customers keep coming back."
He believes that speaks for itself.
One of the shop's biggest strengths is professional wheel alignment.
Drivers from across the region—including owners of high-performance vehicles and even dealership employees—choose Better Steering and Automotive Inc. because of the quality of their alignment work.
The shop is also expanding into performance modifications and aftermarket support.
Malik is personally involved in building a high-performance vehicle that competes in drag racing events alongside some of the fastest cars in the region.
Their philosophy remains the same:
"We want to prove what we can do before we start talking about it."
My Personal Experience
Now I'd like to step away from the role of interviewer for a moment and speak as a member of the immigrant community.
I've personally been a customer of Better Steering and Automotive Inc. since I arrived in Canada nearly three years ago.
During that time, I have experienced not only the quality of their mechanical work but also something that is much harder to find—the way they genuinely care about their customers.
As newcomers, many of us don't have family or close friends to recommend trustworthy businesses.
Finding people who are honest, transparent, and willing to explain every repair without pressure is incredibly valuable.
Every time I've visited the shop, I've been treated with respect, patience, and professionalism.
They've never tried to sell me repairs I didn't need, and they've always taken the time to explain exactly what my vehicle required.
In my opinion, that level of honesty is priceless.
That's one of the reasons I wanted to share their story with the Atlantino community.
A Special Message for the Latin Community
After the interview, I had the opportunity to speak personally with Anas, the owner of Better Steering and Automotive Inc.
He shared something that I was very happy to hear.
First, he told me that their doors are open to everyone, regardless of nationality or background.
He also mentioned that he has had very positive experiences working with members of the Latin community and would be happy to receive job applications from Latinos who are interested in joining the automotive industry.
Whether you already have experience or are looking to build a career in automotive repair, they welcome motivated people who are willing to learn and work hard.
As a gesture of appreciation to the Latin community, Anas also offered something special.
🎉 Exclusive Discount for Atlantino Readers
If you visit Better Steering and Automotive Inc. and mention that you were referred by Atlantino, you will receive a special discount on your service.
It's a wonderful way to support the immigrant community while helping people discover a business that truly values honesty, quality, and customer care.
More Than Just an Auto Repair Shop
By the end of our conversation, I realized that Better Steering and Automotive Inc. is much more than an automotive repair shop.
It is the story of an immigrant family that came to Canada, respected the rules, worked hard, earned the trust of the local community, and continues to grow through dedication and integrity.
These are exactly the kinds of stories we want to tell at Atlantino.
Because behind every successful business is a family, a dream, and years of sacrifice.
And those stories deserve to be shared.
Know an immigrant-owned business that deserves to be featured?
Atlantino is committed to highlighting entrepreneurs, small businesses, and inspiring immigrant success stories across Atlantic Canada.
If you know a business that deserves recognition, we'd love to hear from you.
Together, we're building a stronger community—one story at a time.
