PORCH 

It's hard out there and exponentially harder for an immigrant entrepreneur. 

The existing ecosystem is only focused on business needs. But we all know you can't build a billion-dollar business (or any business) if you can't live happily in a new country. 

PORCH is an exclusive club of international entrepreneurs who have been there, done that, and are still doing it. They have come together to support one another on the personal side of the journey (from living to finance to relationships) to learn and grow and to share their superpowers.

This comes to life through events and community. 

PORCH Events include topical sessions with high-profile speakers and experts and highly engaged IRL events focused on relationships, learning and fun.
PORCH Community: 24/7 real-time discussion and support through the active PORCH platform, on-demand resources and content for asynchronous learning, and powerful perks.

PORCH was built to level the playing field and give you a greater chance at success.

Founder / COO

Unfiltered w/ PORCH

They say entrepreneurship is hard. Well, try doing it in a country where you weren’t born, in a language that isn’t your first, with a social network you’ve had to build from scratch. 

That’s the story of the immigrant entrepreneur. However, the biggest problem is the story is rarely told from the POV of the immigrant. So, let’s change that. 

Welcome to Unfiltered w/ PORCH, where we explore what it means to be an immigrant entrepreneur from the POV of the immigrant.  Real stories. Real journeys. Immigrant entrepreneurship, told by those who have lived it.

Co-Creator

HunterMorris

I wear many hats, but they all point in the same direction: helping brands communicate clearly, creatively, and consistently. I lead full-scale marketing initiatives with a strong focus on storytelling, design, and strategy.

My primary role with companies is with Newsletter Creation: I manage end-to-end creation of monthly newsletters for multiple companies, from CRM setup, content planning and writing to design, distribution, and analytics.

Other projects have included ongoing graphic design (logos, social content & graphics, etc), many website design projects (from full website builds to revamps), and full community builds.

Founder

WeitzmanGTM

Intuitive AI

Sales And Market Development

Look Media

Sales and Business Development

Oil Thigh Designs (OTD)

Managed team of 5 responsible for in-store processes such as payment collection, inventory, POS functionality, and managing International Shipping program. Oversaw e-commerce and retail store sales channel growth.

E-Commerce Director

Digital Operations Coordinator

Smith School of Business at Queen's University

Working as a Teaching Assistant for COMM 161: Introduction to Mathematical Analysis for Management (Calculus) and COMM 162: Managerial Statistics

Teaching Assistant

Cam's Kids Foundation

Cam’s Kids Event Head

Tree2Table Originals

Founded an e-commerce business making handmade charcuterie boards, managing production, sales, and website/social media marketing

Founder / COO @PORCH – helping 1M immigrant entrepreneurs succeed in Canada

Combining my passion for entrepreneurship and desire to make a change with my first startup, PORCH. 

1.  My job is to make the journey as an immigrant entrepreneur easier.
2. I am a firm believer that community, when done right, is so powerful.
3. The diversity of Canada is truly beautiful and the possibilities are endless. Everyone just needs access to the right people and resources to succeed.

One specific event didn't inspire me to be an entrepreneur. For me, it was something that I was passionate about since I was very young. Whether it was watching Dragon's Den with my dad or spending the long car ride hours on the way to hockey games coming up with full businesses, being an entrepreneur was what I have always wanted to do.

Fast forward through years of entrepreneurship classes in high school, participating in youth business and entrepreneurship competitions, and starting a few small businesses of my own, I entered my fourth and final year of the Smith School of Business at Queen's University, and I decided it was time to put my education, experience, and passion to the test and go after my dream of starting a true business.

After working with some great companies (Intuitive AI, Look Media, Knoow) and also starting my own custom charcuterie board business during the pandemic (which was such an incredible experience), I learned about the endless effort it took to run a startup/company.

So, in October of 2022, I founded PORCH, an exclusive club of international entrepreneurs that have been there, done that, and are still doing it. They have come together to support one another on the personal side of the journey (from living to finance to relationships) to learn and grow, and to share their superpowers.

It was a full circle from those long nights on the couch watching Dragons Den and Shark Tank. I have the honour and privilege to be able to pursue this entrepreneurial journey with my co-founder, friend, and Dad.

We need more of this. Let's make the world a better place.

Countries I have been to:
Canada, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Monaco, Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Morocco, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Australia, Dominican Republic, U.S.A, Vatican City

Hunter Weitzman

Immigration.ca

Featured Partner (Business Immigration) 

PORCH

Any immigrant entrepreneur knows, that, being an entrepreneur is hard.
Being an immigrant adds exponentially more complexity and challenges.
PORCH is an exclusive community for immigrant entrepreneurs in, or coming to Canada. PORCH provides a curated, engaging, and safe community for immigrant entrepreneurs and their teams, to build relationships, learn, share, and help each other succeed.
Expand your learning, your relationships, and your potential. Everything you need to grow.
Helping 1,000,000 immigrant entrepreneurs succeed in Canada.

Member

Godmer Immigration Consultant

Godmer Immigration Consultant is exclusively dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs, business owners, and executive professionals from everywhere around the world who wish to immigrate to Canada.

We also offer worldwide citizenship through investment programs.

Owner & Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant 

VC4A

As an entrepreneur, I am dedicated to helping startups unlock their full business potential in Canada.

 Startup Mentor

Melissa Godmer Self-employed in the Immigration Field

- Assist in the development, implementation and management of immigrant investor programs;
- Complete preparation of immigration files;
- Review all documents collected to verify accuracy and appropriateness, be the primary point of contact with clients;
-Follow up with customers on the status of their application and help provide solutions to their various problems.

Sales Representative:
-  Find, qualifies and filters leads and qualify leads through several channels, such as the company website, social media, professional networks, email campaigns and online data mining. 
-Lead processing and management
-Lead research and filtering
-Customer account monitoring
-Prospect and customer communications
-Research, monitoring and reporting

I do not provide legal representation or legal advise but rather support to legal professionals in regard to business immigration. 

Administrative Support Specialist, to legal professionals in regard to business immigration.

TIMC

Responsibilities:
-Enforce guidelines and procedures applicable to a specific product to ensure a successful journey for TIMC’s customers.
- Ensure clients receive clear requests and call to actions from advisors or senior planners in order to keep them on track.
- Support and assist Advisors deliver superior advisory services to clients.
- Solicit the full attention and commitment of partners to complete transactions
- Analyze competitive marketplace and industry trends to accordingly develop business strategies for revenue generation
- Work with business units in developing business plans to achieve company revenue goals
- Establish a plan that drives business for cross-selling opportunities.
- Assist  advisors regarding selling effectively investment products and CBI products
- Support the sales department in marketing material: third party articles, distribution/ tax/ redemption examples, updating power points and brochures (pushing for updated material), answer advisor’s requests for specific material
- Helping new advisors in their discovery calls using the documents we collectively created to make good discovery calls and insure a faster training process
- Provide ongoing training to the new and more senior advisors on our portfolio

Planner-Citizenship by Investment

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant @ Godmer Immigration Consultant | Business Immigration

As a seasoned immigration expert specializing in business immigration to Canada and an entrepreneur, I bring over 7 years of experience in assisting business owners, professionals, entrepreneurs, and executive professionals globally in achieving Canadian citizenship. My qualifications include a certificate in immigration consulting from Humber College and a bachelor's degree in business administration and management from Université du Québec à Montréal / UQAM.

In February 2022, I established Godmer Immigration Consultant, a firm dedicated to business immigration, offering comprehensive and current information, insightful guidance, and hands-on support in liaising with government agencies for our clients. My commitment lies in delivering results for my clients and navigating complex legal scenarios to identify the most fitting solutions for their individual needs. My expertise lies in process improvement, analytical skills, and effective communication. Furthermore, as a member of PORCH, an exclusive community for immigrant entrepreneurs in Canada, I continuously enhance my knowledge, build meaningful connections, and grow my potential in the immigration landscape.

Melissa Godmer

🌍 What 8+ Years in Business Immigration Have Taught Me
When I first started my journey in business immigration, I believed it was about documents, procedures, and timelines.
Eight years later, I know it’s truly about people, purpose, and potential.
Every entrepreneur I’ve worked with has a unique story — not just of business expansion, but of reinvention, courage, and hope. They’re not just moving to a new country; they’re building a new chapter of their lives.
Here are some of the most important lessons I’ve learned along the way:
💡 1. Transparency builds trust.
 In a world full of misinformation, clarity is everything. When you take the time to explain every step — the costs, the risks, and the opportunities — clients feel empowered and respected.
🏗️ 2. Immigration is 80% business strategy.
 A strong immigration plan begins with a strong business model. Those who succeed are the ones who understand market positioning, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
🤝 3. Integrity always wins.
 Whether it’s choosing clients wisely or saying “no” to unrealistic timelines, the right decisions often require courage — but they build lasting credibility.
🌱 4. Empathy is the foundation of success.
Behind every file, there’s a story: a family, a dream, and a future at stake. The best immigration strategies come from listening deeply and understanding that human side.
As I look ahead, I’m genuinely excited about what’s next — the integration of AI, digital transformation, and global entrepreneurship into how we help people move, build, and grow.
Canada continues to evolve, and so do the pathways for entrepreneurs ready to make an impact.
To all the clients and partners who’ve trusted me on this journey — thank you.
 You remind me every day that immigration isn’t just a process — it’s a mission.
✨ Here’s to building futures, one business at a time.
Happy Sunday ☀️ 
#BusinessImmigration #CanadaImmigration #Entrepreneurship #C11 #StartUpVisa #Leadership #GlobalMobility #WomenInBusiness #ImmigrationConsultant

CEO & Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) | Business Immigration to Canada | Empowering Global Entrepreneurs | Founder-Friendly Visa Solutions

⚠️⚠️ End of an Era  a ~50% cut: Canada’s Start-Up Visa Is Rapidly Fading — What Founders Need to Know
Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan (2026–2028) just confirmed what many feared — the Federal Business class (Start-Up Visa + Self-Employed) is being quietly scaled back.
🔻 Only 500 permanent resident admissions per year will be accepted through 2028, compared to 1,000 in the previous plan — a ~50% cut.
And with strict intake limits on designated organizations and a ballooning backlog, processing times are now stretching toward a decade.
💡 If you’re a founder banking on the Start-Up Visa alone, it’s time to rethink your strategy.
🔍 Why This Is Happening
Since April 2024, IRCC has pushed for “program integrity” and quality control, directing incubators and investors to focus on fewer, stronger files.
🧭 What It Means for Founders — and How to Stay Competitive
If you’re still pursuing the Start-Up Visa:
 🇨🇦 Anchor in Canada — now.
 Prove real traction with:
 ✅ Letters of intent or paid pilots with Canadian clients
 ✅ Verified revenue streams
 ✅ Canadian hiring plans tied to budget and operations
If you’re exploring alternatives:
 🔹 Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): Entrepreneur and tech-talent streams that align better with local labour market needs.
 🔹 C-11 & C-10 Work Permits: Build your company in Canada first, then transition to PR through an economic stream once traction is proven.
💬 The Bottom Line
The Start-Up Visa isn’t cancelled, but the era of SUV as a fast, scalable immigration route is officially over.
Let’s be real — the founders who succeed won’t do it through the Start-Up Visa anymore. Those who pivot, secure Canadian funding, prove measurable impact, and pursue alternative PR routes will still win big in Canada.
Those who wait for the backlog to clear may be waiting a very long time. 
🚀 #StartupVisa #CanadaImmigration #IRCC #ImmigrantFounders #BusinessImmigration #GlobalEntrepreneurs #C11WorkPermit #C10WorkPermit #PNP #CanadaStartups #InnovationCanada #TechImmigration #ImmigrationNews #CanadaBusinessVisa

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The Battle

Hunter Weitzman

Melissa Godmer

Followers

Posts

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taplio

The Battle

Hunter Weitzman

Melissa Godmer

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Melissa Godmer's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreMelissa Godmer's LinkedIn Performance