For entrepreneur Tareq Hadhad, the profound power of community support is not an abstract concept but the very foundation upon which he rebuilt his life. Having escaped the Syrian conflict in 2012, Hadhad and his family, who were master chocolatiers for generations, arrived in Canada as refugees three years later. They found a new home in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, thanks to the unwavering assistance of local residents.
The Sweet Mission of Peace by Chocolate
Driven by gratitude, Hadhad has since dedicated himself to giving back. He is the founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, a social enterprise that transforms a love for sweets into a force for good. Every chocolate bar sold supports international peace-building initiatives and focuses on a critical local mission: creating employment opportunities for refugees in Nova Scotia and across Canada. In a heartfelt conversation for the Joy Diaries series, Hadhad reveals why simple, daily interactions are now reservoirs of profound happiness for him and his loved ones.
"I am a joyful person by nature, so it takes a lot to shift me from my baseline," Hadhad explains. He attributes this joy to the family's core mission, noting that chocolate is a universal symbol of happiness. The artistry behind Peace by Chocolate comes from his father, who launched the original entrepreneurial venture in Syria back in 1996. Interestingly, his father was a trained civil engineer who had an epiphany at a cousin's wedding. He observed how exhausted guests were suddenly revitalized when chocolate was served, seeing genuine joy return to their eyes. "He came home and told my grandmother, 'I found it. I'm going to make chocolate because everyone who eats chocolate will be happy,'" Hadhad recounts.
Finding Extraordinary Joy in Ordinary Moments
Today, Hadhad consciously celebrates small moments with his closest family and friends. He acknowledges that life can feel repetitive, bound by daily routines from morning alarms to familiar conversations. However, he has trained himself to find joy in these ordinary patterns. "Our life has not been ordinary," he reflects, referencing the family's significant transition after the war. "We've learned that all of those simple moments are certainly ones that are worth appreciating."
A recent, powerful source of joy was feeling his unborn child kick. He and his wife are expecting their first baby in February. "It stopped me in my tracks," he shares. "I felt for a second that everything was possible again. This is one of the most extraordinary moments that anyone can ask for."
Building Common Ground and Resilience Through Joy
Hadhad's journey of integration has also sparked new passions, like a growing love for hockey. He admits that when he first attended a game a decade ago, he walked out, but now he actively seeks opportunities to watch. While he doesn't have a favourite team, calling himself a "Team Canada guy," he uses the sport to connect. "Whenever I travel, I connect with friends in the area and we watch a hockey game. I think it's about finding common ground with people," he says.
In a world often filled with anxiety and uncertainty, Hadhad sees joy as an essential, grounding force. "Joy is relative... but in simple terms: Joy is what keeps us human and tells us what's true from untrue," he states. Drawing from his own experiences, he concludes that joy is the fuel for resilience and strength. It was the vital element that helped his family endure difficult days and provided the energy to reconstruct their lives, particularly after profound loss. His story, as told to Katherine Singh, stands as a testament to the transformative power of community, purpose, and finding light in the everyday.
