Starting Over, Building Dreams – Paperback

What happens when you leave behind everything you know and start over with just two suitcases?

After more than ten years of building a life in the United Kingdom, Elija Villanueva landed in Winnipeg, Canada, in the middle of a pandemic. He carried his Filipino roots, a few treasured bottles of essential oils, and one big dream: to bring his family together again.

What he found first was silence. Empty streets, lonely nights, and the quiet fear that he had made a terrible mistake.

But one brave phone call led to another. A small table at a community market became a kiosk at Kildonan Place. And a simple idea grew into Bathala Scents & Natural Wellness, a business inspired by culture, nature, and the courage to begin again.

Starting Over, Building Dreams is a warm, honest memoir about:

• Finding home and belonging in a new country
• Surviving slow sales days, costly mistakes, and self-doubt
• Leading a team, giving back, and redefining what success really means

Each chapter ends with a thought to carry and a small, practical step to try, making this book a gentle companion for newcomers, dreamers, and anyone rebuilding their life or starting a small business.

This is not a story about having everything figured out. It is a story about taking the next step anyway.

If you have ever wondered whether it is too late to begin again, this book is for you.