From backyard haircuts to scholarships and startups: A chat with Mo, CoAct Youth Ambassador

Mo Alizadeh is a young Logan-based entrepreneur and community builder working across grooming, fashion, tech and social enterprise. He launched his first venture, LocalBlendz, at 15 and has since founded Scentomatic, LoveLiveFashion and co-founded SINAA to support Afghan entrepreneurs.

Currently studying Business (Marketing) at QUT on scholarship, Mo combines his studies with real-world brand building and community projects. He’s been featured on 7News, ABC and Our Logan, and has spoken at events including the QFCC Youth Summit and Refugee Week. Mo is driven by one mission: creating opportunities and pathways for the next generation.
CoAct was thrilled to have Mo attend our inaugural Youth Forum as a CoAct Youth Ambassador, where he shared his lived experience, insights and ideas to help shape the future of youth employment.

We sat down with Mo to talk about his journey, what adults and employers can do better, and what he would say to young people who might be feeling stuck.

Can you tell us about your journey into work and study?

I’m a refugee. I’m Afghan, and I came from Iran to Australia.

When I arrived, I didn’t know English and didn’t really know what to do. I had to grow up pretty quickly and help my family where I could.

In high school, I felt stuck. I honestly didn’t know what path I was meant to take. Around that time, an entrepreneurship program came to my school. I joined it mainly to get out of maths class. I’ll be honest about that.

But it turned out to be really fun. It taught me basic entrepreneurship skills and helped me think differently about work and problem solving.

What was the first business you started?

I started really small. First, I was cutting grass for people.

Then during COVID, my brother needed a haircut and everything was closed. I picked up some clippers and cut his hair. Turns out I really liked it.

At the time, I was working at Subway and also as a waiter. Cutting hair felt better. It gave me more control and I could see the value straight away.

Eventually, I saved enough money to quit my job and invest in myself. I started charging people and cutting hair in my backyard.

What challenges did you face in the early days?

At one point, no one really trusted me. I was young, and people didn’t know my skills yet.

So I made it fun and low pressure. I ran little events in my backyard. It was $10 entry. You got snacks, could play on my PS4, and got a pretty dodgy haircut.

I ran it over two days while I was still in high school and made $200. More importantly, people started trusting me and coming back.

How did that lead you to university?

I started doing public speaking and sharing my story.

That’s how I got noticed by QUT. They reached out and offered me an entrepreneurship scholarship.

Now I’m studying a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing, and I’m about halfway through my degree. I’m still building projects on the side while I study.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on several projects, including a web app called halalhop.com.

It helps Muslims find halal food when they’re travelling or just out and about. Even I find it hard sometimes, so I wanted to help make it easier for others.

Most of my ideas start that way. I notice a real problem, especially in my own community, and try to build something useful.

What do you want adults and decision makers to better understand about young people?

I just want them to ask us first.

Before you build a park or a space for young people, ask if we actually want it. Put out a survey. Pay young people for their time and ask what they need.

If you build something we don’t use, that’s taxpayer money going nowhere. It’s really simple to check first.

Young people enjoy giving feedback. We’re happy to say what works and what doesn’t, as long as people actually listen.

What makes getting a job hard for young people?

For me, culture fit is one of the hardest parts.

It’s not always about skills. It’s about feeling like you belong. There’s also a power dynamic when you’re young. If someone is older or has a higher job title, it can feel unsafe to speak up or push back, even if something feels off.

I don’t have the full solution yet. But I do think employers need to pay attention to workplace culture and how young people experience it day to day.

Was there anything at the Youth Forum that really stood out to you?

Yes. There was an idea about a bus that picks young people up for work, kind of like an Uber pool.

It would take people to work, have snacks on board, play music, and feel fun and welcoming. Very Gen Z.

When I heard it, I thought, why hasn’t this been tried already? That idea really stuck with me.

What would you like organisations to do after listening to young people?

Execute.

It’s great to have ideas, but if nothing happens after the conversation, then what was the point?

If there’s one thing I’d say, it’s to try. Take the idea, test it, and see what happens. If it fails, that’s okay. At least something was done.

Finally, what advice would you give to a young person who feels stuck?

Life is non-linear.

I’ve gone from cutting grass, to cutting hair, to speaking at events, to studying at university, and there have also been times where I’ve felt low or unsure.

That’s normal.

My advice is to ride the waves. Say yes to opportunities when you can, even if they’re small or unpaid. Things start to connect over time.

Get out there, meet people, build experience, and step a little outside your comfort zone. You don’t need to have it all figured out to keep moving forward.

Thanks again to Mo for joining CoAct’s inaugural Youth Forum and sharing his story and ideas.

For young people looking for support on their journey into work, education or training, CoAct can help. Contact us to find out more.