Anyone Can Do It: Building Coffee Republic from our Kitchen Table - 57 Real-Life Laws on Entrepreneurship [Paperback]

Sahar Hashemi (Author), Bobby Hashemi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 18, 2003

It's about coffee beans and crazy dreams!

Sahar and Bobby Hashemi are the awe-inspiring brother and sister team who started one of the most recognised and high-profile high street brands in the United Kingdom today - Coffee Republic.

Anyone Can Do It is an inspirational book which chronicles the start and evolution of a genuine success story, beginning with the siblings' first conversations (when the seed of the idea was planted), to writing the business plan, finding a name, raising money, opening the first store, taking the company public and to the present day when Coffee Republic is worth ?50m with 90 outlets around the UK.

But the book is no mere corporate history. It is a very personal story of dreaming, acting and succeeding. It offers a myriad of lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and blows apart the myth that only 'special' people start successful businesses. Written in an informal style and packed with tips, advice, quotes and includes a wonderful appendix (more like a scrapbook), which includes copies of original business plans, early brainstorms and the cruel and duly ignored bank rejection letters. Real insights into real people trying to make a go of their dreams.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a business book charting her experiences from the kitchen table to the boardroom table..." (The Financial Times, 21 August 2002) 

"…More interesting, however, are the parts of the book that detail the start-up of Coffee Republic and the tough decisions its founders had to make to ensure its transformation into a national brand…" (Business a.m., 2 December 2002)

"…it will interest anyone who has a "great idea"…not interested in running a business…will still provide a fascinating account of a success story…" (Evening Standard, 27 January 2003

"…a usable tool as well as a motivational read…offers a myriad of lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs…" (South Wales Evening Post, 27 January 2003)

"…the book is written very simply in a conversational style. There’s plenty of insider information for the novice …" (Business Eye (Northern Ireland), February 2003)

"…Budding entrepreneurs will be fascinated, and pick up valuable practical advice along the way…" (Mail on Sunday, 9 March 2003)

"? 8230;Hashemi has stepped down from the company, written an inspirational book – Anyone Can Do It – and spreads the word as a corporate speaker…" (Daily Mail, 31 March 2003)

"…if you want to start your own business, this is the book you need. It’s full of useful information…" (Business Life, April 2003)

"…if you are thinking of starting you won business, read this book…a fascinating read…" (Edge, April 2003)

‘a fun and entertaining book, a start-up book for real people’ (Atlanta, November 2002)

"…but as this super book continues, it is quite clear that Booby and Sahar truly did start from the Kitchen…" (Boughton’s Coffee House, April 2003)

"…the definitive guide on how to set up a business…" (The Guardian (Jobs & Money), 23 August 2003)

From the Inside Flap

Thinking about starting the business of your dreams? So what's holding you back? Is it the fear of the unknown? If you are even contemplating starting a business of your own, perhaps you feel 'stuck' where you are now? But even being 'stuck' can seem better than facing that fear. That fear of the unknown, of leaving that comfort zone. Entrepreneurship is like an uncharted ocean. But ask yourself this question: Do you have the will and determination to leave dry land and navigate the choppy and sometimes daunting waters that lie before you?

If so, then Anyone Can Do It can help you tackle some of those fears, to answer some of the elusive questions about what an entrepreneur must face when making the decision to go for (what can sometimes seem like) that unattainable dream. Authors Sahar and Bobby Hashemi are the dynamic brother and sister team who started one of the most recognizable and high-profile brands in the United Kingdom today - Coffee Republic.

Sahar and Bobby had to leave their comfort zones too, leaving secure jobs to take the plunge. But this is not a business memoir nor mere corporate history. This is a personal story about two ordinary people who 'did it', and who got it right. Anyone Can Do It is an inspirational book that chronicles the start and evolution of a genuine success story. Sahar and Bobby take you through their first conversations (when the seed of the idea was planted), to writing the business plan, finding a name, raising money, opening the first store, taking the company public and to the present day when Coffee Republic turns over millions, employs thousands of individuals and has over 100 outlets around the United Kingdom.

Anyone Can Do It offers a myriad of lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and blows apart the myth that only 'special' people start successful businesses. It's written in an informal style and packed with tips, advice and quotes. Throughout the text are copies of original business plans, early brainstorms and the cruel and duly ignored bank rejection letters.

Sahar and Bobby take the reader step by step through every aspect of starting a business. The process for them wasn't always easy but one thing is for sure, it was the most rewarding journey either of them has taken.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Capstone; 1 edition (February 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841122041
• ISBN-13: 978-1841122045
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,997,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anyone Can Do It, April 19, 2004

By 

Warren Wickman (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anyone Can Do It: Building Coffee Republic from our Kitchen Table - 57 Real-Life Laws on Entrepreneurship (Paperback)

I am a bubbing entrepreneur with a business plan, enthusiastic colleagues and little money. After seven months of trying with much encouragement from others and some financial commitments, I wish I had of picked this book up at the beginning of my search for funds. I would have done a few things differently. Every time I feel down I pick myself up before going to bed by picking up the book and rereading some chapters. The next day I am again ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

This book is a must for every entrepreneur, as well as people already in business looking for a fresh approach. Unlike others, it not just tells their story, it also shows how they did it, which is rare. Most books of this type just cover the big picture stuff which anyone can read in newspapers and magazines. It is very easy to read and difficult to put down. My first reading (on a flight) was in fact two readings, as I kept going back over earlier chapters.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspirational guide for clueless entrepreneurs!, April 2, 2003

By 

Thei Zervaki "Thei" (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anyone Can Do It: Building Coffee Republic from our Kitchen Table - 57 Real-Life Laws on Entrepreneurship (Paperback)

Sarah describes the birth story of coffee chain "Coffee Republic" (see above). Her trip to NY, the cravings for skinny lattes and foamy cappuccinos, the idea, the awful coffee in the UK or rather the lack of it, the business plan and finally the first shop in South Molton street! Read this book and you will discover that passion, enthusiasm, gut feeling, good timing, support and hard work will eventually pay off! Sahar and her brother Bobby are both millionaires, only eight years after the first Coffee Republic bar appeared in the market.

By Thei Zervaki...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Feel the experience of setting up your own business,, July 30, 2006

By 

MsH - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anyone Can Do It: Building Coffee Republic from Our Kitchen Table - 57 Real-Life Laws on Entrepreneurship (Mass Market Paperback)

Very Nice book about feeling the experience of setting up your own business. The Chapters in the book flow smoothly. You will never feel bored while reading the book. If you are buying this book thinking that you will start your own coffee republic after you finish reading it, then find another book as this book will not guide you to start a coffee shop business. The book basically, will give you a real life example of starting a business, I started a business and I can feel my self when I read the book, I even feel that I know Sahar and bobby Hashemi because you will live the experience they live. Especially the bootstrapping part!! I wish they release a 2nd book about what happened next in their business. I gave it a 4 stars because I really wished they added sample letters they used in their communication, how they approached suppliers for equipments and based on what they decided to buy their equipments and who helped them make the decisions.