Sahar Hashemi

Sahar Hashemi is one of UK’s most inspirational female entrepreneurs and a powerful speaker on innovation and entrepreneurial mindset in corporations sharing with the audience her captivating personal stories of building two famous brands; Coffee Republic, UK’s first coffee bar chain, which she and her brother grew to 110 stores and £30m turnover and exited in 2001, and Skinny Candy, the guilt free confectionery brand which she sold to Glisten Plc in 2007.  

Formerly a lawyer, Sahar has been recognized for her achievements as an entrepreneur by Her Majesty the Queen and named as a ‘pioneer to the life of the nation’. She was also named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos, as well as one of 100 most influential women in Britain by Daily Mail and 35 top women in British business by Management Today. Sahar has been on the cover of Director Magazine, Management Today, Observer Magazine, New Business Magazine, Business 550 and Voyager.   

Sahar is a bestselling author – her book Anyone Can Do It- Building Coffee Republic From Our Kitchen Table, has been translated into six languages.  Her second book, Switched On, out in  March 2010, is based on her experience with innovation and employee engagement in large corporations.

• 7. Anyone Can Do it- The Journey of Turning an Idea Into a Business

• 6. Standing in the Customer's Shoes

• 5. Entrepreneurial Leadership

• 4. Life Outside the Comfort Zone - An Entrepreneur's Journey

• 3. Anyone Can Do It - Awakening the Entrepreneur Within

• 2. 8 Habits for a Switched On Mindset

• 1. The Switched On Mindset - Igniting Creativity and Innovation

• 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.
  GlaxoSmithKline
• It was a total sellout as even your books were sold out in half an hour. Sharing your experience and ideas in setting up Coffee Republic was truly inspiring.
  Global Leadership Forum
• We have had many speakers address our audience of business owners over the years – but the feedback after your story was exceptional. You really connected with them, inspiring them to re-double their efforts. Your down-to-earth manner and assertion that "anyone can do it" is a real challenge for anyone to live up to.
  International Business Systems
• I have to say that much of the momentum created on the day, was simply down to the esprit/mood you set at the start of the conference event. Perception is now 'maybe I can also achieve success, with passion, persistence and belief in self'.
  School of Design Conference Northumbria University
• I saw the incredible experience that 'Anyone Can Do It!' was for those who heard you speak. I have been in the communication business for forty years . . . never before have I seen a talk make so much impact on an entire audience. For two whole days and evenings they talked about almost nothing other than Sahar Hashemi, what she had to say, and how she said it. It was almost impossible to discuss anything else!
  Response India Private Limited
• Speakers included Former Prime Minister of Spain but the young woman, Sahar Hashemi, stole the show
  Advertising Age
• You were amazing. You scored 97% on evaluation forms – highest score ever
  IBM
• It was the best speech of the conference... Your speech not only kept audience glued to their seats but also drew the delegates in and held their attention for full one hour. There was never a boring moment... I knew that I had chosen the right speaker for this spectacular event and you proved my choice is right.
  Etisalat Academy - Dubai
• Sahar is an extraordinary talent in identifying and exploiting market opportunities. Her fresh mind gives her an outstanding ability to describe complex business concepts with simple words through powerful messages. She had perfectly understood our need, generating a lot of enthusiasm within our audience and exceeding the expectations of an extremely demanding top management.
  Bracco International BV

• 
  June 2010

  Switched On

  Entrepreneurship is a state of mind that can be used by everyone, not just those starting a business. We all have the tools within us to be entrepreneurial, but for many these lie dormant under the weight of corporate fear. Sahar Hashemi, one of the 20 most powerful women in Britain, will help you to switch them on in the job you are doing now. When entrepreneurial behaviour becomes part of the culture of a company, it is win-win and can have amazing results for both the individuals and the business as a whole. People’s expectations of their jobs are changing. Today we all want more work-life balance and to enjoy our job.

  
  
• 
  March 2007

  Anyone Can Do It: Building Coffee Republic from Our Kitchen Table 57- Real Life Laws on Entrepreneurship

  Anyone Can Do It chronicles the start and evolution of a successful business dream. Beginning with the Hashemi siblings' first conversations (when the seed of the idea was planted) it follows the progress of Coffee Republic from business plan to the present day. It is a very personal story of dreaming, acting and succeeding offering a myriad of lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and blowing apart the myth that only 'special' people start successful businesses.