Meet the 13-year-old in Abu Dhabi balancing schoolwork and running his own café

While many 13-year-olds spend their afternoons doing homework or playing with friends, Hamad Abdullah bin Safwan is busy running his own café from his family home in Abu Dhabi.

The young entrepreneur opened Café 37 just three weeks ago, turning his love for coffee into a business with support from his father, who has owned a café for nearly five years.

How the Idea for Café 37 Began

Hamad said the idea came to him during a family holiday over the summer. Inspired by his passion for making coffee, he decided to turn his interest into a business.

After returning home, Hamad and his father began preparing to launch the café at their family residence. They named it Café 37 after their villa number, where the business first started.

With his father's guidance, Hamad developed the menu and created his own recipes. A staff member also helps him prepare customer orders.
Some of the café's most popular items include açai bowls and cheesecake.

Balancing School and Business

Café 37 operates daily from 4pm to 10pm, allowing Hamad to manage his business alongside his schoolwork and religious commitments.

He explained that he usually prays and studies after returning home from school before spending time at the café. Later, he continues studying, completes his homework, prays and reads the Quran.

Hamad also attends online Quran memorisation lessons twice a week.

Although managing a café can be challenging during busy periods, he said the business has not affected his studies.

"The hardest part is when there are too many customers at once, and I can't do everything at the same time," he said.

Father Supports His Son's Entrepreneurial Journey

Hamad's father encouraged his son to explore his interest in business rather than wait until adulthood to gain experience.

He believes that learning to communicate with people and handle customers is more valuable than focusing only on sales.

Before opening Café 37, Hamad regularly accompanied his father to his café on weekends. These visits helped him learn how to prepare drinks, interact with customers and understand how a café operates.

His father said he wanted his son to develop practical skills and gain confidence through real-world experience.

Running a Café Builds Confidence

Since Café 37 opened, Hamad's father has noticed a significant improvement in his son's confidence and personality.

He estimated that Hamad's personality had changed by around 70 per cent, as he had become more comfortable talking to customers and listening to their feedback.

His father also recalled how Hamad had developed an understanding of customer preferences. For example, Hamad explained that although he does not personally like matcha, customers may still enjoy ordering it.

This understanding has helped him recognise an important lesson in business: customers have different tastes, and a business must consider their preferences.

Café 37 Operates Under an Abu Dhabi Trader Licence

The family operates Café 37 under an Abu Dhabi Trader licence, with adult supervision and assistance in preparing orders.

Although the café is still in its early stages, Hamad already has plans to expand the business beyond his family home.

"Hopefully, I'll grow the business and open another one," he said.

His journey shows how an early interest, combined with family support and practical experience, can help young people develop entrepreneurial skills.

Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

Hamad encouraged other children who want to start their own businesses to keep trying and remain committed to their goals. He also offered to share the lessons he has learnt through running Café 37.

At just 13, Hamad is learning about customer service, responsibility and business management while continuing his education. His story highlights how young people can explore their interests and gain valuable experience with the right guidance and support.