SAHAR HASHEMI
In 1995 Sahar Hashemi together with her brother Bobby founded Coffee Republic, and built it into one of the UK’s most recognised high street brands with a turnover of £30m.
Giving up highly professional jobs, she a lawyer in London and he an investment banker in New York, they staked everything on a dream - and made Coffee Republic one of the main players in the ‘coffee revolution’ that transformed a nation of tea drinkers into one obsessed with ‘triple decaf half-caf lattes’.
How they came to build a nationwide coffee chain is a fascinating and inspirational tale of the ups and downs of following your dream. From the first conversation when the seed of the idea was planted, to getting a DTI Small Firms Loan Guarantee, finding a name and opening the first store, it a personal story about two people who stopped ‘thinking about it’ and ‘did it’.
Sahar left the day to day management of Coffee Republic in 2001. In October 2003 Sahar was honoured to be invited to Buckingham Palace as a 'Pioneer to the life to the nation' to celebrate her and other achievers contribution to the Queen's reign.
Her book, published in January 2003, Anyone Can Do It, became an instant bestseller (Number 1 on the Amazon business chart, The Guardian top 10 micro-chart etc.). The book is ‘suggested reading’ for the London Business School entrepreneurship course:
“essential reading for budding Richard Bransons” Management Today “if you want to start your own business, this is the book you need” BA Businesss life “it offers genuine food for thought” Evening Standard
...“this refreshingly honest and insightful book lifts the lid on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.” Martin Wyn Griffith, Small
Business Service
Sahar’s message is Anyone Can Do It! With her passion and enthusiasm, she motivates and inspires the audience: ‘you don’t have to be Richard Branson to start your own business!’.
At the same time she demystifies the entrepreneurial process through a step-by-step ‘system’ that anyone can follow and without use of intimidating business jargon (eg ‘market research is just a big fact finding mission!, ‘business plan is a structured brain dump!’). She proves that passion is all you need - ‘its your fuel!’ and what turns you into an entrepreneur.
She is a speaker ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and has spoken as keynote speaker at various high profile events including the Institute of Directors Women’s 2002 Summit, Wall Street Journal Europe Summit and Enterprise 100.
Sahar lectures at the London Business School Entrepreneurship summer school. Sahar has been named ‘100 most influential women in Britain in 2003’ by the Daily Mail and ‘20 most powerful women in Britain under 35’ by the Independent on Sunday. As a keynote speaker Sahar’s energy is infectious, delegates leave the event inspired and motivated to stop ‘thinking about it’ and ‘get on with it’!
‘Your presentation was the highlight- wit, insight and passion! Thanks for making my day!’ Proctor & Gamble ‘her energy and “just do it” attitude go down very well at conferences’…RICS England & Wales
‘Sahar is a first class speaker’…Institute of Business Advisers, Northern Ireland,
‘It is always inspirational to hear the story from someone who has really pursued their dream and made it come true, particularly in such a down to earth fashion’ Glaxo Smithkline Beecham
‘Sahar’s presentation is excellent. It’s from the heart, very passionate and truthful. Very entertaining! She proved to be extremely popular with the audience’…Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
‘ You really gave us a taste of the fun and the hard work involved in running and growing your own business’…ZPR network ‘She is totally inspirational, has laser sharp focus and provides real life strategies for success’. Aurora Conference.