Our Team
Almohanad Almarwai
Almohanad “Almo” Almarwai - (@almo.alm), is one of the four partners of Ash Café, and he is one of the few Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) certified professionals in KSA. Laying the very exciting start and the basis for what is to come from Ash Café and Coffee Lights Ltd. Over the past 10 years, Almo has founded and successfully launched 6 companies in Saudi Arabia, Uganda, the UK, and the US. Thus, empowering small businesses to reach new heights in the region. Almo's lifetime habit of pushing his limits extends beyond entrepreneurship. He competes in the sport of Jiu-Jitsu and holds many international and national medals under his belt. Almo enjoys strategy games and anime.
Amro
Banjer
Amro Banjer (@amrobanjar) is one of the four partners of Ash Café, who has been passionate about coffee for its health benefits; you can say that he is a health and nutrition fanatic. He has been living in Japan for more than five years getting his Ph.D. degree. However, coffee brought him back to Jeddah, after Almohanad (Almo) introduced and discussed the idea with him, and began to research the possibility of a coffee business. Later on, he decided to join the Ash team, this resolution and dedication changed everything; coffee became more than a healthy beverage, it created the path to the future alongside his studies. Amro enjoys doing sports, RPG games, and watching anime in his spare time.
Mohammed Abughazalah
Mohammed “Mo” Abughazalah, is one of the four partners of Ash Café.
Mo has been working in the branding and publishing sector from his early youth. His interest in marketing made him one of the founding team of many reputable magazines in Saudi Arabia. The food and beverage industry has always been a fascinating thing to Mo. Through helping his mother to publish her cookbooks and training courses he started to expand his knowledge about catering in general and coffee in particular. In following his passion to explore this world, Mo traveled to Japan to continue his studies and discover the unique Japanese culture, combining his country and Japan’s innovation has formed who Mo is today. His train of thought is what gave ASH this unique feel.
Emad
Khawaja
Emad Khawaja (@emadosama), is one of the four partners of Ash Café, he has more than 5 years experience in the coffee industry and is known for loving it. This love and dedication drove him to dive in-depth into this world which led him to found his own Cold Brew brand (Drip & Sip). He was further exposed to the caffeine world during his master degree in Japan. His spirit and smile brighten the room and he is always keen to share his knowledge with customers, He is no Spiderman, he is your friendly neighborhood Barista.
Know Us More:
ASH is a part of Coffee Lights Ltd. which is a company that specializes in the running of coffee shops, consultation, training of staff and baristas, and coffee import and export. We are registered with SCA (Specialty Coffee Association). All of our staff are trained and qualified by SCA and aspire to keep improving and to spread our knowledge and passion throughout the community.
How We Think:
When starting the company, we went into a meditation like mind frame, as our believes revolves around the incubation of similar like-minded people who will come to form our community at a later stage.
This community is formed by attracting undaunted strivers and empowered activists who appreciate the life of innovation and health, they are most times than not determined, creative and seeker of a balanced lifestyle.
We knew what wanted yet it was difficult to pour all of it in one word or a symbol, until we stumbled across the ASH Tree. We researched this magnificent ancient tree and what it symbolizes across centuries, numerous cultures and mythologies. We were smitten by it and so we decided to adopt it as the entity that will present who we are (Community, Creativity, and Health) - ASH concept.
Shooting to Be:
We understand the struggle the new generation is going through and we would like to be the destination for coffee startup community as a presence and become more of a shared symbol for the future generations rather than just a physical location.
We know that our dreams are big but nothing is impossible with the right formula and support. Our strength will definitely be generated by people who share our ideology and way of thinking.
Vision:
To grow with our local community, their talents and be a major player in changing the way specialty coffee is perceived in the middle east.
Mission:
Make specialty coffee more exciting by adopting community based mutual success strategies.
Core Values:
Social Responsibility: From the community to the community and that shall be our duty which will ensure mutual success to all involved parties.
Innovation: Becoming involved, listening to both advice and criticism, and keeping an open mind is how innovation is created, it is not a claim but actions.
Life-style: Being the teacher or the student we are open to both. We advocate for a well-balanced life-style which will be translated through our offered products and services (We are always open to join forces – so make sure you reach out).