Sahar Hashemi is a trailblazing entrepreneur who has built transformative businesses and sparked movements that redefine industries. From founding Coffee Republic to leading the Buy Women Built initiative, Sahar inspires organisations to rediscover their entrepreneurial energy. Book Sahar to ignite innovation, momentum, and bold action at your next corporate event.
Sahar Hashemi is a celebrated entrepreneur and thought leader who has consistently turned innovative ideas into successful brands that disrupt industries. Her journey began with Coffee Republic, the UK’s first US-style coffee chain, which revolutionised a tea-drinking nation into coffee enthusiasts. Later, she introduced Skinny Candy, a pioneering sugar-free confectionery brand that reshaped consumer habits. Today, she leads Buy Women Built (BWB), a groundbreaking movement transforming how consumers and retailers perceive women-built brands.
Through her ventures, Sahar has demonstrated that momentum—not waiting for certainty—is the key to creating meaningful change. Her ability to identify opportunities where others see obstacles has made her an authority on reigniting entrepreneurial energy within organisations.
In many organisations, entrepreneurial energy—the force behind innovation and growth—gets buried under layers of bureaucracy, fear, and outdated processes. As industries evolve and customer expectations shift, traditional structures often fail to keep pace with the speed of external change. This disconnect stifles creativity, slows decision-making, and diminishes customer connection.
Sahar understands these challenges deeply. She shows leaders how to break free from over-cautiousness and reignite the boldness needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world. Her insights empower organisations to embrace momentum as a driver of innovation and impact.
Sahar’s latest venture, Buy Women Built (BWB), exemplifies her ability to build not just brands but movements that create lasting change. What began as a single tweet during the pandemic has grown into a commercial powerhouse with over 2,000 women-built businesses generating more than £2.5 billion in turnover.
BWB has redefined visibility for women entrepreneurs by launching initiatives like the world’s first women-built aisle on Ocado and partnerships with major retailers such as Whole Foods, QVC, Planet Organic, and TikTok Shop. These efforts have transformed buying habits at scale, proving that visibility drives sales and fosters inclusivity in retail spaces.
Sahar’s influence extends beyond her entrepreneurial ventures through her acclaimed books. Anyone Can Do It demystified entrepreneurship by sharing its raw realities, inspiring thousands of aspiring business owners worldwide. It became the UK’s second highest-selling book on entrepreneurship.
Her second book, Start-Up Forever, offers a practical playbook for leaders to sustain the startup mindset within established organisations. Recognised as a Financial Times Book of the Month, it highlights how perfectionism and fear of failure can stifle progress—and how leaders can overcome these barriers to keep innovation alive.
Sahar’s contributions have earned her global accolades. She was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and honoured by Queen Elizabeth II as a Pioneer to the Life of the Nation. Additionally, she was awarded an OBE for her services to the economy and charity—a testament to her enduring impact on business and society.
As a keynote speaker, Sahar Hashemi doesn’t just deliver theories—she inspires action through compelling storytelling and real-world experience. Her talks reconnect audiences with their innate creativity, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit buried beneath outdated habits and fear of failure.
Sahar’s dynamic presentations ignite urgency, boldness, and customer-centric thinking—qualities essential for driving innovation in any organisation. She doesn’t just talk about entrepreneurial energy; she makes audiences feel it—and when they feel it, they act.
Connect with us today to learn more about booking Sahar Hashemi or other inspiring speakers who can elevate your next corporate event.
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