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Posted: Wed 5th Aug 2026
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.
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.
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.
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
You can also listen on other platforms and Enterprise Nation.
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