A Cup of Coffee Propels a Qatari Student to Entrepreneurship
The official website of Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) recently highlighted a success story in the world of coffee, featuring Khalid Al-Kawari, a Qatari student from the Class of 2024. Khalid exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit of the university through his innovative journey. Faced with the closure of a popular campus café, he seized the opportunity to unite students, faculty, and staff with the launch of his own coffee venture, Casual Coffee.
Khalid opened the café in 2023 during his third year of study. “I knew I’d have the support of the university community, which made the decision much easier,” he said. The name Casual Coffee was not a random choice. Khalid explained, “The name was originally my father’s idea for a café he had planned to open. When I decided to start my own venture, he suggested I use it. It felt like I was continuing a family legacy.”
Overcoming Challenges
Launching a business on campus was not without its challenges. With the support of Dean Safwan Masri, Khalid successfully secured permission to open Casual Coffee at GU-Q.
Another hurdle was balancing quality with affordability. Khalid, who is studying international politics, said: “As a small business, managing high operational costs while maintaining high-quality coffee was a significant challenge.” He added, “Fortunately, the university has a variety of coffee suppliers, which allows us to offer options that cater to different segments of the community.”
Building a Team and a Thriving Business
From sourcing suppliers to building a loyal customer base, Khalid attributes the success of Casual Coffee to his dedicated team.
“The experience of our baristas, Karyl Pasco and Haldane Alfonso, has been crucial in maintaining the high standards of the café,” he said. Additionally, Mohammed Ashraf and Jomaa Mohammed manage logistics and procurement. “Their expertise has been essential to ensuring the quality that defines Casual Coffee.”
Feedback from friends and students has also played a pivotal role. “Their input helped us refine our services and create a welcoming environment for everyone,” Khalid noted. To foster a sense of community, Khalid even introduced special drinks named after faculty members and students who requested them.
Balancing Studies and Business
Balancing academics with running a business has been a challenging yet rewarding experience for Khalid. “I follow a strict schedule that allocates time for my studies and business tasks. I also use digital tools to stay organized,” he explained. “Trusting my team with daily operations allows me to focus on my studies when necessary.” Khalid revealed that he is also working on launching new ventures in the real estate and food and beverage sectors, applying the same principles of time management.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is resilience,” Khalid shared. “From rejections to operational challenges, every obstacle has been a learning experience. It’s all about adaptability and finding creative solutions.”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For students considering entrepreneurship, Khalid offers the following advice:
- Focus on effective time management and remain flexible, understanding that every business has its unique nature.
- Create a structured schedule that balances academic commitments with business operations, starting with a simple, scalable concept.
- Leverage university resources by connecting with professors, peers, and mentors for valuable guidance and support.
- Listen to customer feedback to improve your services and ensure they meet market needs.
- Stay resilient in the face of challenges, as every obstacle provides valuable lessons.
- Don’t forget to prioritize self-care and allocate time for relaxation to maintain balance.
Future Plans
With plans to expand Casual Coffee beyond its current locations at GU-Q and Sidra Hospital, Khalid envisions the brand becoming a prominent name in Qatar. But his ambitions don’t stop there. Khalid shared, “I’m working on two other businesses in different sectors to build a diverse portfolio. It’s important for me to keep Casual Coffee at Georgetown as a source of inspiration for any student looking to start their own business. I want to show them that with determination and the right support, they can turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.”
