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Each week, we dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good. Today, Sahar Hashemi, former solicitor and founder of Coffee Republic and Buy Women Built, takes us through her career in Square Mile and Me
CV
- Name: Sahar Hashemi OBE
- Job title: Founder of Buy Women Built
- Previous roles: Solicitor, founder of Coffee Republic, author
- Age: 58
- Born: Tehran, Iran
- Lives: London
- Studied: Law
- Talents: Maybe it’s that I don’t overthink or overanalyse, I just take the leap. Clarity comes after.
- Motto: Leap and the net will appear.
- Biggest perk of the job? Being so fulfilled.
- Coffee order: Triple espresso.
- Cocktail order: Spicy tommys Marg
- Favourite book: Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankel
What was your first job?
My first job was at the age of 13, selling Christmas trees on High Street Kensington for a children’s hospice charity.
What was your first role in the City?
I started out as a trainee solicitor in a prestigious law firm called Frere Cholmeley in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
When did you know you wanted to build a career in entrepreneurialism?
When I started out in law that was meant to be my vocation for life. But once I trained and started working as a solicitor I realised it didn’t play to my natural skillset, nor was I passionate about it. It was then that I became interested in entrepreneurship.
Tell us a bit more about Buy Women Built…
Buy Women Built (BWB) is a consumer movement to shine a light on female-founded consumer brands and to inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs. To date, 2,500 brands have registered as women-built, with a combined turnover of £3.1bn. BWB has a branded aisle on Ocado and a kitemark adopted on thousands of products to aid consumers identify women-founded brands.
Do you think International Women’s Day is important?
We love International Women’s Day at Buy Women Built because everyone starts thinking about women, so it’s a great time for us to spread our message. But in truth, every day is International Women’s Day for us at BWB.
What’s one thing you love about the City of London?
I went to the City of London School for Girls, so it holds a very special place in my heart.
And one thing you would change?
I would change nothing.
What’s been your most memorable business lunch?
When I was working at the law firm, the long client lunches on Fleet Street were legendary. They were about trust and building solid relationships.
And any business faux pas?
When we first started Coffee Republic, we didn’t have the right health and safety checks in place. I remember customers choking on their coffee because we hadn’t rinsed the salt out of the coffee machine!
What’s been your proudest moment?
Walking through the City and feeling proud of doing something I absolutely love.
And who do you look up to?
Every single one of the female founders in the Buy Women Built community.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?
Do your best and let God do the rest.
And the worst?
Make sure you have a Plan B. Having a fallback can make you dither and prevent you from taking the leap.
Are you optimistic for the year ahead?
Yes, I am optimistic about the future.
We’re going for lunch, and you’re picking – where are we going?
Pizza Union.
And if we’re grabbing a drink after work?
Los Mochis for the Spicy Tommys Margs.
Where’s home during the week?
Chelsea.
And where might we find you at the weekend?
On the sofa with my Jack Russell Stewie, munching Giant Wotsits.
You’ve got a well-deserved two weeks off. Where are you going and who with?
I’m going to Asia with my husband.
The Rise of Conscious Consumerism and Female Entrepreneurship
Sahar Hashemi’s work with Buy Women Built highlights a growing trend: conscious consumerism. Consumers are increasingly seeking out brands that align with their values, and supporting female-founded businesses is a powerful way to do that. This isn’t just a niche movement; it’s a significant economic force. With 2,500 brands registered and a combined turnover of £3.1bn, the impact is already substantial.
Future Trends: Beyond Visibility
The success of Buy Women Built suggests several future trends in the consumer landscape:
Increased Demand for Transparency
Consumers will demand even greater transparency regarding a brand’s ownership and values. The BWB kitemark is a step in this direction, but expect more sophisticated systems for verifying and communicating a brand’s impact.
Retailer Integration of Values-Based Shopping
The presence of a BWB aisle in Ocado signals a broader trend. Retailers will increasingly curate sections and promotions based on values like sustainability, ethical sourcing, and female empowerment. This will become a key differentiator in a competitive market.
The Power of Community and Storytelling
Brands that authentically connect with their customers through storytelling and community building will thrive. As Hashemi notes, brands born from personal stories resonate deeply with consumers. Expect to observe more brands leveraging social media and direct-to-consumer channels to foster these connections.
Investment in Female Founders
Increased consumer support for women-built brands will likely translate into increased investment in female entrepreneurs. This could lead to a more diverse and innovative business landscape.
The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Leaping Without a Net
Hashemi’s personal journey, from law to founding Coffee Republic and then Buy Women Built, underscores the importance of embracing risk and trusting your instincts. Her motto, “Leap and the net will appear,” reflects a mindset that is crucial for success in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
FAQ
- What is Buy Women Built? A consumer movement to highlight and support brands founded and built by women.
- How many brands are currently part of Buy Women Built? Over 2,500 brands.
- What is the combined turnover of Buy Women Built brands? £3.1bn.
- Where can I find Buy Women Built products? In many major retailers, including Ocado, and identified with a BWB kitemark.
Want to learn more about supporting female entrepreneurs? Explore the Buy Women Built website and discover brands making a difference.
