Ms. Mahsa Niyayesh: From 12-Hour Café Shifts to Leading 700 Women
Ms. Mahsa Niyayesh is the Founder and CEO of the Iranian Women Coffee Association.
But before earning that title, she was on the café floor.
From 2015 to 2017, Mahsa worked 12-hour shifts at a busy chain café in Tehran. Long hours, fast service, and an environment that made her notice something important: there was no real network connecting women working in coffee.
Women were facing strict shop regulations, family pressure against working in the industry, and very little representation in national barista competitions.
Mahsa began researching on her own and reached out to the Barista Guild. In 2019, she went on radio to announce what she wanted to build.
That was the beginning of the Iranian Women Coffee Association.
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What She Built
What began as one woman's voice on the radio has grown into an association based in Tehran and connected to women across the coffee supply chain.
Its community includes:
- Roasters
- Coffee traders
- Baristas
- Latte artists
- Café and restaurant managers
Under Mahsa's leadership, the Iranian Women Coffee Association now counts approximately:
∼700 active female members
17 coffee factories run entirely by female CEOs
∼200 café-restaurants in Iran led by women managers
But it is not simply a member list.
The association actively works to create opportunities, support women, and strengthen their position within Iran's coffee industry.
The association provides:
- Counseling and mentorship for legal and workplace barriers
- Training for new baristas and hospitality staff
- Educational seminars
- Networking meetups
- Women-focused coffee festivals
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Working Around Real Barriers
Iranian coffee professionals face significant challenges when it comes to international coffee education and certification.
Official SCA courses and certifications are not readily accessible in Iran because the Specialty Coffee Association, as a U.S.-based entity, must comply with applicable sanctions.
Local competitions can also be complicated.
But Mahsa kept going.
Through local academies, independent networks, training, and community-building, women in Iran's coffee industry continue learning, competing, creating, and developing their skills.
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Mahsa Niyayesh on Building Bridges
Speaking to WEBDYNASTY, Ms. Niyayesh shared her perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing Iran's coffee industry:
“Iran is currently deeply involved in political circumstances that have made it more difficult to engage in the exchange of goods and services with other countries. However, if we look at it from the perspective of two companies, I believe there is a real opportunity. We can become representatives of one another in the countries where we have a presence and create a bridge between our markets, our businesses, and our people.”
For Mahsa, coffee is not only about the beverage itself.
It is also about people, businesses, relationships, and creating bridges between communities.
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A Message of Hope for Iran
Mahsa also spoke about her hopes for the future of her homeland:
“I believe that one day, freedom in Iran will be one of the greatest sources of happiness and hope for its people. And on that day, I will be truly happy and deeply proud to invite you to Iran—to my homeland, a land filled with love.”
Her words reflect something that has remained at the heart of her journey: hope, connection, and the belief that difficult circumstances should not prevent people from building something meaningful.
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What She Tells Other Women in Coffee
For women entering the coffee industry, Mahsa has a simple but powerful message:
“We have extraordinary women in the world of coffee. They compete in championships and become champions. Some open their own cafés, while others go on to create their own brands.”
She continues:
“If you are here, you have been chosen to discover what coffee truly means and to understand its depth. Never doubt your potential. Believe in yourself, keep learning, keep creating, and never be afraid to take your place.”
And perhaps most importantly:
“You belong in the world of coffee—and your voice, your talent, and your ideas matter.”
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From One Woman to a Community of Hundreds
Mahsa Niyayesh's journey is a reminder that meaningful change does not always begin with a large organization, a major investment, or a powerful platform.
Sometimes, it begins with one person noticing a problem and deciding to do something about it.
From long 12-hour café shifts in Tehran to building a community of approximately 700 women, Mahsa has turned her own experience into an opportunity for others.
Her story is ultimately about more than coffee.
It is about women finding their place, creating their own opportunities, supporting one another, and building bridges where barriers already exist.
WEBDYNASTY — Featuring Ms. Mahsa Niyayesh, Founder & CEO, Iranian Women Coffee Association
