(Note: This is a re-post with minor edits. I once posted this summary in my old blog in 2005, which does not exist now).
Book Title: Anyone Can Do It: Building Coffee Republic from our Kitchen Table (Authors: Sahar and Bobby Hashemi)
This book is about an actual experience of a sister and brother building a business of coffee specialty outlets, from an idea into a real big business. (Note: This was before Starbucks era).
It started with an idea: One night in 1994 Sahar (the sister) said to her brother Bobby that she missed the experience of drinking coffee in the US, the taste, etc. At that time, to get coffee in London, you have to go to places selling sandwiches; coffees were merely additionals with poor taste, presentation (plastic cups and lids made from cheap materials). England was (and is) a tea drinking nation (no Starbucks yet). So then Bobby thought building american style coffee outlet in London was a very brilliant idea.
With that idea in minds, they quit jobs (each formerly a lawyer and investment banker). They started the search and research for knowledge of coffee, the market, demand and supply, technology, potential places for outlets, financing alternatives, etc. This book gives so much valuable lessons in starting a business from zero.
In about a year since the idea they opened an initial outlet. Bobby almost gave up since it did not do well in several first months but eventually people spread the words of the great experience drinking coffee at Coffee Republic. Coffee Republic expanded into 20 outlets a year after and became a giant in 5 years and eventually become a publicly listed company.
An inspiring book, I admire the hard works, dedication, courage of the authors in building the business, how they’re so organized, and so smart.
Books, Arts and Beyond 