Sahar Hashemi: From Coffee Republic to Championing Female Entrepreneurship

Sahar Hashemi, OBE, is a British entrepreneur and speaker known for founding the Coffee Republic chain and, more recently, Buy Women Built (BWB), a movement dedicated to supporting female-founded businesses. Her career trajectory, from a solicitor to a successful entrepreneur, offers valuable insights for aspiring business leaders.

Early Life and Career

Born in Tehran, Iran, Sahar Hashemi currently resides in London. She initially pursued a career in law, studying law and working as a trainee solicitor at Frere Cholmeley in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.¹ However, she found that the legal profession didn’t align with her natural skillset or passions, leading her to explore entrepreneurship.

Coffee Republic: Pioneering the Coffee Chain

Hashemi is best known as the founder of Coffee Republic, the UK’s first coffee bar chain. She grew the business to 110 stores with a market capitalization of £50 million.² This success established her as a prominent figure in the British business landscape.

Buy Women Built: Empowering Female Founders

In March 2022, Hashemi launched Buy Women Built (BWB) to increase consumer support for female-founded businesses and inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs.² BWB currently represents over 2,500 brands with a combined turnover of £3.1 billion.¹ The organization has secured placement in major retailers like Tesco and has a dedicated branded aisle on Ocado, highlighting women-built products. BWB also utilizes a kitemark to help consumers easily identify brands founded by women.

Entrepreneurial Philosophy and Advice

Hashemi is a proponent of taking risks and embracing uncertainty. Her motto is “Leap and the net will appear.”¹ She advises against having a “Plan B,” believing it can lead to hesitation and indecision. She credits a skinny latte in New York as the catalyst for her shift from law to entrepreneurship.

Recognition and Publications

Sahar Hashemi is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). She is also the author of two books: Anyone Can Do It, which demystifies entrepreneurship, and Start Up Forever, which explores how large corporations can foster a more entrepreneurial mindset.²

Personal Interests

Hashemi enjoys a triple espresso as her coffee order and a Spicy Tommy’s Margarita as her cocktail of choice. Her favorite book is Victor Frankel’s Man’s Search for Meaning.¹ She also enjoys spending time with her Jack Russell, Stewie, and indulging in Giant Wotsits.