The Small Business Sessions
The Small Business Sessions is a weekly podcast from the Powering Local Businesses programme, created by Enterprise Nation and EDF Small Business in collaboration with Square.
This series explores the practical steps small businesses can take to grow and thrive – from improving energy efficiency and embracing sustainability to creating a lasting impact in their local communities.
The Powering Local Businesses hub supports small businesses, wherever they're based and however they sell, to grow sustainably. Access grants, pop-up shop opportunities, energy-saving guidance, expert workshops and a supportive community.
Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringlocalbusinesses
The Small Business Sessions
Usman Khalid on refugee entrepreneurs and changing narratives through coffee
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Welcome to Small Business Sessions, brought to you by Enterprise Nation as part of Powering Local Businesses, our collaboration with EDF Small Business and Square.
In this series, we're speaking to founders and entrepreneurs about the real stories behind starting, growing and rebuilding small businesses.
Expect honest conversations, practical lessons and first-hand insight from people who have built businesses with purpose.
In this episode of the series, we're joined by Usman Khalid, founder of Haven Coffee, an organic coffee brand and social enterprise with a mission to challenge false narratives about refugees in the UK.
Usman shares how his own experience as a refugee, his work with Counterpoints Arts and support from The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network helped him develop the idea for Haven Coffee.
He talks about building a business with no previous experience, starting with weekend market stalls, opening a small coffee shop and using coffee, barista training, comedy and visual art to create opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers.
Topics discussed in the episode:
- How Usman's experience of gaining refugee status in 2015 shaped the idea behind Haven Coffee
- Why Haven Coffee is a business first, not a charity, even though social impact is central to its purpose
- Starting with weekend market stalls and coffee sales at events before opening a physical shop
- The reality of running a very small physical coffee shop and the challenge of trying to grow when income is limited
- How Usman created Laff-Uccino, a comedy event that trains refugees and asylum seekers in stand-up comedy
- Working with high-profile comedians including Nish Kumar and Ed Gamble to bring audiences to the events
- Providing barista training for refugees and asylum seekers so they can build practical skills for employment
- The role of supportive people, artists, comedians and local networks in helping Haven Coffee keep going
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Powering Local Businesses
We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.
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