WHEN Carlos Trujillo left his home town of Bogota in Colombia to travel and learn English, he could never have imagined where life would take him.

But the soccer lover who likes the Australian climate and has just become a citizen has opened a phone repair business, Sparkle Phone, on Wood St.

"I really just wanted to learn English. I went to Europe for six years and worked as a pizza chef and in hospitality," Mr Trujillo said.

"When I went back to Columbia, I decided to travel again. It was not so safe in Columbia back then, so I decided to come to Australia. I've been living in Queensland for seven years now," he said.

Mr Trujillo made the move to Mackay from the Gold Coast just two years ago.

"I came here just for six months... and here I am seven years later. It's just life. Plans change. I miss my family and my food of course, but I'm happy here in Mackay," he said.

Mr Trujillo has always had a love for electronics and studied avionics in Columbia.

"I did a lot of courses in avionics," he said. "Then when I came to Australia, I got involved in the phone industry. I didn't think I'd open a business in Mackay, coming from a large city like Bogota.

"But people know me here now and the council have spent a lot of money on the city centre. Rents are also quite good for shops in the city, so I decided to open my business."

Mr Trujillo's family ran a clothes shop in Columbia, so he grew up selling jeans and jackets, and is hoping to bring the skills he learnt to his own business.

He repairs all brands of smart phones, iPads and also sells accessories and does his repairs onsite.

"I do my best to give the best quality work and quality prices. I think Mackay will get better and better. My plan is to open more stores in Queensland," he said.