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

Hi Hannah, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I really wanted a name that encompassed my identity. I’m biracial and I feel really appreciative and grateful for both of my cultures. My mom is from Tennessee and every summer I grew up in the south playing in rivers, in the backyard, basketball, catching fireflies and eating meatloaf. And my dad is from Iraq and I grew up with a very extensive Middle Eastern community here in Southern California. Saffron is a huge spice used in the Middle East and cowboy is to pay homage to the south.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Launched in May 2022 as a front-yard coffee shop helmed by Hannah Said, Saffron Cowboy is a 100% home-grown venture that was born from a desire to bring together neighbors, family, friends, fur babies, freaks, and geeks under one beautiful roof (or rather: under the big ole sun on a grassy lawn).

Said dreamed up the name “Saffron Cowboy” as an ode to her biracial identity — half Arab (Saffron) and half white (Cowboy) — and the drink menu is a love letter to classic Middle Eastern flavors. Fan favorites include their Cardamom Cold Brew, Rose Oat Milk Tea, Jallab and Lime Juice, Grenadine and Orange Blossom Oat Milk Tea and the iconic Dolly Parton: Rose Syrup, Oat Milk, Cardamom Espresso with their Halima Coffee Beans.

More than just a coffee & tea shop, Saffron Cowboy was created as a roving gathering space that centers QTPOC joy, creativity, and liberation. Over the last two years, they’ve hosted and been a part of over 90 community events, with monthly pop-ups in collaboration with local vendors and creatives, including chefs, artists, tattoo artists, bakers, and barbers. They’ve had residencies at El Sereno Greengrocer, Tomorrow Today bookshop in Chinatown, and North Figueroa Bookshop in Highland Park, where they launched the much loved “Cowboy Author Series” highlighting SWANA and Muslim authors.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Severn cowboy, started in my yard. I’ve gotten laid off from my job in corporate America and a bunch of friends of mine told me to take my side business more seriously. A friend sent me a women of color business accelerator program through Cal State LA, and that’s where I met my current business partner. That program unlocked everything for me. It made me realize that I could have the confidence to really work for myself. After two years of popping up all across Los Angeles and pouring into their community, Saffron is thrilled to announce that they’ve secured a lease for a bona fide brick and mortar space in Pasadena called Neighbors and Friends. Saffron will be partnering with Kaiy Smith-Biesman of Stems, a chef-driven concept that specializes in charcuterie, cheese, and pastries. The storefront will include a full espresso bar, a rotating selection of Saffron’s famous milk teas, juices, and a menu that focuses on specialty sandwiches, salads, charcuterie boards, pastries, and desserts, with halal, gluten-free and vegan options.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I started all funding Saffron, cowboy, through my full-time job. Once that ended, I started doing mobile coffee catering events. To build out the café, we took out a loan specifically designed for underrepresented people through an organization called LISC.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.saffroncowboy.com
• Instagram: @saffroncowboy
• Yelp: Saffron Cowboy