The young entrepreneur, who now owns three businesses, two juice and dessert bars and a grocery store, says he started with zero English and without a finance or business background.
Mr Dawood has introduced ‘falluda’ ice-cream – noodles in ice-cream in a range of flavours – a treat originating from Pakistan and Iran.
He says their Afghan ice-cream ‘sheer-yakh’, which in Afghanistan would bring people together, including families, friends and especially couples, has also been a big hit.
“It’s a blend of vanilla ice-cream, milk, condensed milk, a pint of saffron, grounded pistachio and rose water,” he said.
Travelling from his homeland to bordering Pakistan after experiencing persecution, he said there was a lot of sectarian violence.
“We weren’t safe,” he said.
“In Auburn, every day is like two days … business is great and I have made many friends in the community.
“As a businessman who struggled to get here, my advice to others in my shoes is to never give up on their dreams.
“Have a goal and never give up.”
Arrived with no English but now operates three stores
AFTER fleeing violence in Afghanistan as a refugee, 28-year-old Dawood Dawood has overcome the despair he experienced during his journey to quite literally bring sweetness into the heart of Lidcombe and Auburn.
