Mazen’s Story of Grit, Growth, and Global Flavour from Cairo to Cape Breton

When Mazen Magdy first began his studies in Business Information Systems at the Canadian International College (CIC) in Egypt in 2014, he couldn’t have imagined that one day he’d be running a thriving fruit juice business on one of Canada’s most iconic waterfronts. But thanks to a unique partnership between CIC and Cape Breton University, Mazen’s story is now one of cross-continental connection, entrepreneurial ambition, and sweet success.

Mazen transferred to CBU in 2019 to complete his degree in Canada, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world. He graduated in 2020 and like many graduates, faced tough decisions in an uncertain job market. After trying to build a life in Toronto post-graduation, he found it unsustainable amid the pandemic’s economic strain and made the decision to return to Cape Breton.

Back on the island, Mazen worked at a call centre while planning his next steps. “It wasn’t easy, but it was humbling,” he recalls. “Cape Breton gave me the time and space to think about what I really wanted.”

During his time at CBU, Mazen had taken courses that opened his eyes to entrepreneurship, particularly a course by faculty member Jasmine Alam, whose teachings planted a seed that would later grow into a business idea. “Jasmine made me believe that being an entrepreneur wasn’t just a dream. It could be a real career,” Mazen says.

One day at the Mira Gut Beach, he had thought: Nova Scotia is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, but there weren’t beach-friendly food and beverage options. He began to dream of a business that could bring both global flavour and local energy to Atlantic Canada’s waterfronts.

In 2023, after receiving his Permanent Residency, Mazen moved to Halifax and launched Mizo Drinks, a juice bar inspired by global fruit markets and his Egyptian heritage. He sources high-quality fruits from around the world, including mangoes from Egypt, and delivers fresh, flavour-packed juices with a strong brand identity rooted in culture, quality, and most importantly the right vibe.

His passion and perseverance paid off. Mizo Drinks quickly became a hit on the Halifax Waterfront, drawing locals and tourists alike. As featured in a recent CTV story, Mazen now operates a second location and has his sights set on expanding across Canada. “My dream is to be in every waterfront in the country,” he says. “I want to prove that entrepreneurship is just as successful a path as any career.”

It’s a message that hits close to home. His sister is a doctor in the UK, his brother an engineer, both successful in their own right, but Mazen is determined to show that building something from the ground up, with purpose and passion, is equally meaningful.

For Mazen, this is more than a business. It’s a lifestyle, a statement, and a love letter to both his roots and the place that helped shape his vision. “Cape Breton gave me the space to think big. CBU gave me the tools. Now I want to keep growing and take a little bit of Cape Breton with me wherever I go.”