Sahar Hashemi
Coffee Republic & Skinny Candy founder
Sahar Hashemi is one of UK’s most inspirational female entrepreneurs and a powerful speaker on innovation and entrepreneurial mindset 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.
She 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' published in 2010 is about developing the entrepreneurial mindset in large corporations. It hits the right note with many organisations who in recent years, having been through great change, want their employees to think differently, more proactively and much more creatively. 'Switched On' covers 8 practical habits, for example getting into your customers shoes, getting out of the office and taking 100% of yourself to work.
In February 2011 Sahar was listed in The Director’s Top 10 list of Original Thinkers. The 10 original thinkers have varying backgrounds and fields of interest, but they are all British, and they are all connected by a single ambition: to redesign an established concept so that it fits the demands of the future, whether for the good of business, or society.
Sahar is currently working on developing a brand of ‘Anyone Can Do It’ books and a possible ‘Anyone Can Do It’ television series.
Formerly a lawyer, Sahar has been recognised for her achievements as an entrepreneur by Her Majesty the Queen and named as a ‘Pioneer to the life of the nation’. She was named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos. She was also named one of 100 most influential women in Britain by Daily Mail and 35 top women in British business by Management Today.
In a Shell Livewire survey of role models Sahar was among the top five along with James Dyson and Dame Anita Roddick. She has been on the cover of Director Magazine, Management Today, Observer Magazine, New Business Magazine, Business 550 and Voyager.
An internationally recognised speaker, Sahar’s captivating and uplifting speeches are unique as she converges her own enthralling ‘story’ with key themes of change management and employee engagement. By telling her very personal journey, she connects with the audience on an emotional level and brings to life the passion, determination and open mindedness needed to succeed. She makes a strong impact, igniting the audience with a ‘can do’ spirit and the tools and habits to ‘make it happen’.
Sahar's speaking topics include:
The Switched On mindset- igniting creativity and innovation
8 Habits for a Switched On mindset
Anyone Can Do it- awakening the entrepreneur within
Life outside the comfort zone-An entrepreneur’s journey-
Entrepreneurial Leadership
Standing in the Customer’s shoes-
Anyone Can Do it- The journey of turning an idea into a business
8 Habits for a Switched On mindset
Anyone Can Do it- awakening the entrepreneur within
Life outside the comfort zone-An entrepreneur’s journey-
Entrepreneurial Leadership
Standing in the Customer’s shoes-
Anyone Can Do it- The journey of turning an idea into a business
“Everyone in the room understood and took away the message that we are all responsible for the success of our business and that applying a more entrepreneurial approach will pay dividends not only in terms of revenue and profit but also the enjoyment that individuals gain from their work”.
Melissa Thomas, Managing Director Nycomed
Melissa Thomas, Managing Director Nycomed
“Judging by the feedback that we have received, it seems as though the 'Switched On' presentation was very well received - certainly hit the spot in terms of how people in Group xxxx would like to work smarter. If you get the chance to send us a one pager on the "habits", then that would be great - we could all do with a reminder from time-to-time.”
MD Barclays
MD Barclays
‘Sahar’s passion for innovation energises the room. The equivalent of a double espresso….’ London Innovation Forum
‘your energising talk on the necessity of passion to drive business growth was inspiring for everyone’ Infosys
‘The audience had a real ‘can do’ spirit afterwards. I do hope you appreciate what an impact you make.’ Chief Health Professions Officer NHS
"I just wanted to drop you a quick line to thank you for the fantastic job you did last Thursday evening at the RecruitRank awards. "We have had some tremendous feedback - both on the night and in follow up thank you notes. You hit exactly the right note and inspired a lot of the audience." Sahar hosted the RecruitRank awards in November 2007
"It was the best speech of the conference...You were very informative and maintained remarkable poise in the face of high level of delegation and audience…Your speech not only kept audience glued to their seats but also drew the delegates in and held their attention…
… Please accept our thanks for delivering wonderful motivational speech."
Sahar spoke at the 6th Middle East HR Conference & Expo 2007 in Dubai, April 2007
Click here to enquire about Sahar.
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Further Information
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