#WhyNotMe GBC Entrepreneur Spotlight: Ali Reza Nazari, CEO, Green Edge Services

April 10, 2026

By Neal Lilliott

Bio picture of Ali Reza Narai, CEO & Founder, Green Edge Services

Meet the startGBC #WhyNotMe April 2026 Entrepreneur Spotlight: Ali Reza Nazari, CEO, Green Edge Services

April marks the end of the winter semester for us at George Brown. Our commutes get lighter, and the joy of our outdoor environment starts to show signs of bursting back into glorious life. Our minds are recharged with the anticipation of the warm summer days ahead, spent with loved ones in our natural world.

What better entrepreneur to highlight this month than Ali Reza Nazari, who is a current student who has built and scaled a successful business, whilst juggling his studies, parenting and navigating a new life in Canada as a newcomer.

Ali founded Green Edge Services, a Toronto-based exterior improvement company specializing in landscaping, hardscaping, and deck & fence construction. Green Edge started in North York with one van and a passion for clean, well-cared-for properties.

Today, the Green Edge team focuses on delivering reliable, professional, and detail-oriented outdoor services for homeowners and businesses across North York and the GTA. They combine strong communication, professionalism and transparent pricing so clients always know what to expect and can trust the work being done on their property. The Green Edge goal is to become one of Toronto’s most trusted names for long-lasting, high-quality outdoor spaces.

We are glad to have had time to learn more about Ali’s journey and some wisdom he has to share with others.

About Ali Reza Nazari, Founder & CEO, Green Edge Services

I’m a newcomer to Canada, a business student at George Brown Polytechnic, and the founder of Green Edge Services, a landscaping, hardscaping, and deck & fence company based in North York, Toronto.

My entrepreneurial journey started long before I registered a business. I left Afghanistan due to Taliban oppression and spent about nine years in a refugee camp in Indonesia before finally arriving in Canada in late 2023. Those years taught me resilience, patience, hope, and determination — the mindset of finding a way forward even when the path isn’t clear.

When I came to Canada, I arrived with no shortcuts or guarantees — just gratitude for a fresh start and a deep respect for the neighbourhoods that welcomed me. I began by helping local neighbours with simple outdoor tasks: trimming hedges, cleaning up yards, and cutting lawns.

Over time, this work became much more than a side job. It became my way of connecting with people, learning their stories, and giving back to the community that opened its doors to me.

A key turning point was realizing how powerful it felt to leave a property better than I found it and to see the pride and relief on a homeowner’s face when the job was done right.

That feeling, combined with my love for business and leadership, pushed me to turn a van, a few tools, and a handful of loyal clients into Green Edge Services. Today, I’m building Green Edge with a simple philosophy: serve people with integrity, work with heart, and use entrepreneurship as a vehicle for opportunity — for myself, for other newcomers, and for the community I now proudly call home.

My past taught me resilience; my business is how I turn that resilience into something useful and valuable for others.

Academic Background

George Brown Polytechnic School of Management Business Administration(B125)

What made you want to become an entrepreneur?

I became an entrepreneur because I wanted to take control of my future instead of waiting for opportunities to appear. It’s my way of creating a better life for myself and my family and giving back to the community that welcomed me with open arms. I want my journey to show other newcomers that their dream life isn’t limited to what others offer them; they can thrive and achieve real success by believing in themselves, working hard, and trusting the process.

Why did you create your business?

I created Green Edge Services to turn my hard work and outdoor skills into something that truly serves the community I live in. I saw many homeowners struggling to find reliable, honest, and consistent landscaping and property care, so I wanted to build a company they could actually trust. At the same time, I wanted a way to support my family and create meaningful job opportunities for other newcomers. Green Edge is my way of giving back to the neighbourhoods that welcomed me, while building a long-term, values-driven business I can be proud of.

What successes have you enjoyed so far with building your company?

So far, I’ve grown Green Edge Services from just myself, one van, and a few neighbours’ lawns into a small but committed team serving clients across North York and parts of the GTA.

In less than a year, we generated close to $100,000 in revenue, hired multiple full-time crew members and a part-time admin, and invested in a truck, tools, and a professional website. Even more important to me, many of our clients now come from referrals and repeat work, which tells me they trust our service and our values.

For someone who arrived in Canada in late 2023, I see this early traction as a strong foundation to build a much larger, community-focused business.