In 2020, Zulfiqar Alizada was living his dream: immersed in a world of experts, honing his skills and fearlessly embracing the opportunities the big city had to offer.
His interest in car customisation had given him the opportunity to work alongside some of the best in the business, and he was ready to go all in.
Mr Alizada had initially taken inspiration from Troy ‘Candy’ Williams, one of the most renowned car wrappers in the state, and was now studying the trade under his brother, working at Eye Candy Motorsport.
But, as was the case for basically everyone, COVID-19 ruined everything.
The pandemic forced him to move back home to Shepparton, bidding farewell to the high-tech operation.
“But as they say, sometimes bad things happen for a good reason,” Mr Alizada said.
When he returned, he quickly swallowed his disappointment, and determination took its place.
Zulfy Customs was born, catering to vinyl wraps, tail light and window tints, chrome deletions, badge blacking and other car customisations.
When the News first caught up with Mr Alizada, he was operating his business out of his garage as a side hustle while working full-time at Signs and Lines in Shepparton.
Now, he’s still working full-time, but he’s upgraded his side hustle significantly.
Three years on from its inception, Zulfy Customs has a shop, operating from 12/3 Shelby Crt, Shepparton, complete with neon signs Mr Alizada created himself at his day job.
“I started doing my own thing, and then I realised that I was actually doing it and that this could go somewhere,” Mr Alizada said.
“I started doing it at home, very small stuff, just like badges and stuff, and then it got busy and I got into wrapping.
“I knew how vinyl worked so then I went from the small stuff to doing full cars.”
Mr Alizada said since opening the shop four months ago, he’d been flat out, having a full-time job and then heading to his shop after hours.
“It’s been pretty good; I like it busy, I hate doing nothing,” he said.
Mr Alizada said Troy Candy had inspired him, as they had started in a similar way.
They both began in their garage, doing small stuff before expanding to a shop.
“I just wanted to do something different, and I’m the only wrap shop in Shepp that just does wraps,” Mr Alizada said.
“It makes me really proud when I see a car driving around with my sticker on it; like man, that’s my work.”
He credits his success to two things: the people around him and his self-drive.
“When you start something small, and you’re just by yourself, no partners or other workers, it’s very hard to get side-tracked,” he said.
“I want to make it big, not just make myself proud but my family proud.
“Coming from Afghanistan, people don’t understand, coming as a young kid, they gave me safety, going to school, all of that.
“I want to give back to Australia and Shepparton.”
Mr Alizada expressed his gratitude to his family and friends for the support he’d received since opening the shop.
He had a special opening with family and friends, and had everyone from his soccer club, Shepparton United, come out and get involved.
“It meant so much to me,” he said.
“I could see it in my dad and brother’s eyes they were proud of me, and I was over the moon.”
Mr Alizada plans to continue to expand Zulfy Customs, and to get more workers on board.
He said no matter how much the business expanded, he planned to always have it based in Shepparton.
“I just love Shepp,” Mr Alizada said.
“To see the locals support me, no matter what, I’ve got to support them back.
“To people my age, my message is to just keep going and to make your own thing.”