At the intersection of Oran Park Street and Camden Valley, on the southwestern outskirts of Sydney, a thriving marketplace hosts numerous businesses. Among them, Reza Eftekhari, a prominent entrepreneur in our community, owns multiple ventures, including a restaurant and café in the area. With a diverse background that spans rap music, finance, and business consulting, he assists clients in securing loans from banks.

Between 2009 and 2011, amidst a wave of targeted killings in Quetta that claimed the lives of many Hazaras—including politicians, taxi drivers, and vegetable vendors—Reza, thententh-grade student, fled Pakistan. His journey to Australia began by sea, a perilous path taken by many asylum seekers of that era.

Reflecting on his decision, he recalls:

“I was fortunate that my father was not home—he was in Saudi Arabia. My mother would never have allowed it, but I insisted. I was very young.”

His route took him from Pakistan to Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia before eventually reaching Christmas Island, Australia, by boat. When asked about the most challenging aspect of his journey, he recounts running out of money in Indonesia:

“When I arrived in Indonesia, I had no money left. My family had exhausted all resources, and I had spent everything I had.”

Stranded in Indonesia, Reza spent time with pilgrims from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, each of whom had paid $4,000 for their sea passage to Christmas Island. Unlike them, he had no funds.


“I had no choice but to wait. But there is a saying: ‘A stranger’s companion is God.’ A man named Irfan, who had taken the same journey and experienced similar hardships, helped me.”

Upon arriving in Australia, Reza settled in Adelaide, where he received a scholarship to attend a Catholic school. However, he had to work at McDonald’s and KFC to support himself and his family.

“I started working the day I arrived. I had to study and support my family at the same time.”

In 2016, Reza left Adelaide for Sydney, initially working in various jobs, including pizza delivery and house painting, to make ends meet.

“I had to survive.”

When asked why he moved to Sydney, he paused before explaining:

“After travelling abroad, I returned to find that most of my friends had relocated to Sydney. They told me there were more job opportunities here, especially in construction, and encouraged me to join them.”

In Sydney, Reza initially pursued a law degree but later switched to finance. He spent several years working at a Subaru dealership in Parramatta, eventually transferring to the Castle Hill branch due to his sales performance.

“This experience in sales sparked my interest in business. I was always thinking about entrepreneurship.”

He believes that success comes in stages:

“When I saved some money, I bought a garage and car wash. That was a crucial step in my financial growth. With my knowledge of finance, I handled all the necessary work myself. I purchased a house and built it. Overall, every dollar I earned was reinvested.”

Today, Reza employs 22 staff members, all from non-immigrant backgrounds.

“Many people ask me about starting a business, but what matters more than starting is managing it. Many can launch a business, but running it effectively is not easy.”

He emphasizes the importance of thinking beyond the immigrant community:

“A restaurant in Merrylands may survive with Afghan customers, but to succeed in other businesses, you must cater to the broader community. There are opportunities beyond restaurants and beyond Merrylands.”

According to Reza, bank loans are one of the greatest opportunities in Australia:

“I could never have saved two million dollars to start a business. But with bank loans, I was able to invest.”

He advises maintaining a clean financial record, avoiding multiple loan applications, and ensuring timely repayments.

“Many take out loans at a 7% interest rate but invest in ventures yielding only 3% returns. That’s a loss!”

Before entering the business world, Reza had a passion for music and was a rap artist. One of his most well-known songs, Woman, was a collaboration with Cobra Ali, the first Hazara woman in the Australian Army.

“I always loved the arts. When I took a music class in Pakistan, I was discouraged—they said, ‘Your voice isn’t good, and you play the dambura with your left hand.’ That dream stayed with me. But when I arrived in Australia, I realized there were other ways to pursue music that didn’t require playing an instrument. I had a talent for poetry and lyrics, so I recorded some rap songs, which received positive feedback. I collaborated with friends on several tracks.”

Over time, however, Reza distanced himself from music.



“Rap had no place in the Afghan community. It wasn’t a viable career. Additionally, societal pressure was overwhelming. My family didn’t object, but they believed I should focus on my future. That influenced my decision to step away from music.”

When asked how to improve financial stability, he concludes:

“The first step is crucial. Whatever you do, commit to it fully. ‘You don’t start from zero.’ To start a business, you need savings, but more importantly, you must invest in something with growth potential. Opportunities are always there—you just need to recognize and seize them. For instance, real estate is a great opportunity for our community, though it carries risks. Taking a loan from the bank involves some risk, but if managed wisely, understanding profit and loss, it can yield positive results.”

Reza Eftekhari believes that the community lacks specialized business forums. As a successful entrepreneur, his journey serves as an inspiration to many aspiring individuals seeking success.

He operates an office in Merrylands, where he provides financial consultation and assists clients in securing bank loans.