Sahar Hashemi

Sahar Hashemi

Davos Forum youth global leader and entrepreneur.

Sahar Hashemi is the founder of Coffee Republic, the UKs fist US style coffee bar chain. She has also been named one of the 100 most influential women in Britain.

Sahar Hashemi founded Coffee Republic, the UK’s first US style coffee bar chain with her brother and built it into one of the UK’s most recognised high street brands with a turnover of £30m. Giving up her career as a lawyer in London, she 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.

Sahar left the day to day management of Coffee Republic in 2001 and published a book called ‘Anyone Can Do It´ which tackles some of the fears and answers some of the elusive questions about what it really takes to become an entrepreneur. It is ‘suggested reading’ for the London Business School entrepreneurship course and Chapter 1 has been included as part of the syllabus of the Entrepreneurship summer school.

Sahar Hashemi has been named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Britain 2003 by the Daily Mail. Sahar has made the cover of Management Today, Director and Business 550 magazines. Her media appearances include CNN Business Breakfast, BBC2, Radio 4, LBC, Radio 5 and BBC London amongst many others.

In 2005 Sahar Hashemi launched Skinny Candy, a high profile brand of sugar free sweets. It has already received wide press coverage and is available across big department store chains throughout the UK. In 2007 she announced the formation of a joint venture between Skinny Candy and Glisten plc. She recently became Director of Corporates for Crisis, which offers a new innovative and sustainable approach to corporate responsibility by making step changes in the world of community development and humanitarian aid.

Her new book ‘Switched On’ published in May 2010 is based on her experience working with big corporations about activating the creative entrepreneurial mindset. As a business motivational speaker she uses her personal experience to bring to life the tools employees need to leave their comfort zone, come alive at work, be the one to spot opportunities, have inspired ideas, make them happen and ultimately become indispensible.

‘Outstanding presentation. Very inspirational and motivating. A great choice of speakers and an example to us all’…
Institute of Directors

‘It is always inspirational to hear the story from someone who has really pursued their dream and mae it come true, particularly in such a down to earth fashion’
Glaxo Smithkline Beecham

‘She is totally inspirational, has laser sharp focus and provides real life strategies for success. We had a waiting list of over 100! Sahar is a top speaker and audiences just adore her’…
Pricewaterhouse Coopers