Today we're joined by inspirational entrepreneur, author and campaigner Sahar Hashemi OBE. Full of wit and wisdom, Sahar says the key to success in business is to dream big, but start small. She describes her own journey from a discontented solicitor to setting up Coffee Republic, the hugely successful coffee chain.

Having written a book called Anyone Can Do It, it was during the Covid lockdown that a simple tweet provided the catalyst for her to champion female entrepreneurship and find a way to educate people about brands built by women. Buy Women Built is now a thriving network for female founders, with 160 Buy Women Built brands on Ocado, 100 in Wholefoods, and growing every day. Alice is proud to be a member of this incredible movement, which includes some of the best and most recognised brands in the UK today.

Disciplined and organised, Sahar is a fan of decluttering in the summer and winter, but has some special sentimental pieces she holds close, including her father’s reading glasses, a chunky gold Celine bracelet she bought in Paris, and a miniature angel gifted by her mother. The angel sits by her bed as a daily reminder that her mother is watching over her.

She says that if anything is worth doing, it’s worth doing badly — just give it a go. After all, we’re here for such a short time, we might as well go at a hundred miles an hour with our hair on fire.

For more of Sahar’s wise words and business tips follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn @saharhashemiOBE.

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