Cut Castle’s Shasab Mobarak on asylum seeker journey to business owner

An Iranian man has worked his way up to opening his own barber shop in Moreton Bay a decade after travelling to Australia as an asylum seeker with his pregnant wife and no money.

A Moreton Bay man says he “owes everything” to Australia and its people after completing a remarkable journey from an asylum seeker to a local business owner.

Shasab Mobarak or ‘Zac’ opened Cut Castle, a walk-in barber shop which has been fitted out to reflect its owner’s perfectionist personality, at the Deception Bay Marketplace on December 15.

Mr Mobarak started his business after a long journey, which started with a tough upbringing in Iran, where his dad passed away bankrupt.

He said that motivated him to provide his family security.

Shasab Mobarak at Cut Castle, Deception Bay. Picture: Aaron Goodwin

“I come from a place where there’s no support from the government,” Mr Mobarak said.

“If you don’t (have) anything to eat, you die.

“If you can’t work hard, you’re by yourself, nobody can help you.”

He later came to Australia on a boat from Indonesia with his pregnant wife in 2012.

Upon arrival they spent two years in a detention centre with their son, who they later discovered was autistic, being delivered two months into their stay.

Cut Castle has been open for five days at the Deception Bay Marketplace and been welcomed by the community. Picture: Aaron Goodwin

Mr Mobarak said his family found it tough when they first moved here.

“We had no money and NDIS because we’re not citizens here,” he said.

“It was hard to pick the English first, learn the culture, get along with them.

“I owe this country and the people who gave me an opportunity, I love them.”

But now Mr Mobarak is part of the local community more than ever after starting his own barber shop, which has been opened for just more than a week.

Cut Castle owner Shasab Mobarak giving a haircut to Donny Matera who was visiting family from Sydney. Picture: Aaron Goodwin

He has years of experience in the industry after being a barber and manager at major brands like Tommy Gun's in Westfield’s at North Lakes, Chermside and Carindale.

Mr Mobarak said the community has been very welcoming.

“I wanted to start years earlier but I needed to get more experience in the business and know the Australian people,” he said.

“Not only haircuts but about the culture, everything.”

Cut Castle is shop T8 in the Deception Bay Marketplace.

No appointments, walk-in only.

Originally published as Cut Castle’s Shasab Mobarak on asylum seeker journey to business owner