Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Feras Shawi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Feras, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

My love for the rich aroma of coffee and my wife’s passion for food birthed the idea of Brewberry cafe. as we wanted to blend this passion with our desire to build a community focused cafe

Feras, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Our story began with something simple: a shared love for flavor and connection. I’m a coffee devotee—there’s nothing I enjoy more than the ritual of crafting the perfect cup. My wife? She’s the ultimate foodie, always chasing that next unforgettable bite. Together, we built Brewberry Café as a place where both of our passions could come alive.

We didn’t just want to serve coffee and food—we wanted to create a space that feels like home. At Brewberry, every drink is brewed with care, every dish designed with intention. It’s about community, creativity, and the magic that happens when comfort meets craft. What sets us apart is the heart behind everything we do—real people, real flavors, real connection.

What I’m most proud of is that we built this dream together. Not just a café, but a story. And every customer who walks through our doors becomes part of it.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When we first opened Brewberry Café, we had heart, and a dream. In the early days, there were moments we questioned everything—slow mornings, equipment hiccups, and the pressure of creating something that truly reflected who we are. But we never let that stop us.

My wife and I leaned into our shared passion: I poured every ounce of love into each cup of coffee, and she crafted dishes that brought comfort to our community. We stayed late, adjusted the menu a hundred times, and listened closely to feedback. Slowly but surely, Bruberry grew into more than a café—it became a space where people felt seen, welcomed, and inspired.

That resilience wasn’t about pushing through alone—it was about trusting our values, our vision, and each other.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When we first opened Brewberry Café, I felt this quiet pressure to be the all-knowing captain of the ship. I thought: if I didn’t solve every problem on the spot or anticipate every hiccup, maybe I wasn’t cut out for it. So, I tried to do everything myself—menu planning, scheduling, jumping behind the counter, handling every customer question. It was exhausting. And, ironically, it created more distance between me and the team I deeply cared about.

It took a particularly chaotic morning—short-staffed, long lines, one burnt batch of beans too many—for me to finally stop and listen. One of my baristas calmly said, “We’ve got this, just let us help.” That moment shifted everything. I realized leadership isn’t about always being right; it’s about creating space for others to step in, speak up, and shine.

Since then, I’ve been unlearning the need to carry it all. Trusting my team, embracing feedback, and learning alongside them? That’s when Brewberry really began to feel like a family.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brewberrycafeac