Nana Mahazan Learns Barista Skills Before Launching 7 Baris, Building a Café With Soul
KUALA LUMPUR – While many celebrities venture into the food and beverage industry by lending only their names, Nana Mahazan took a more hands-on path when launching her café, 7 Baris.
The host and entrepreneur, whose full name is Nurul Hana Che Mahazan, decided to personally learn the art of coffee-making before opening her doors to customers. Rather than relying entirely on hired expertise, she enrolled in barista classes to understand the technical aspects of brewing, milk texturing and flavour balance.
For Nana, coffee has always been more than just a daily habit. It represents comfort, conversation and reflection. That passion eventually evolved into a serious business idea.
“I didn’t want to open a café without truly understanding the craft. When you know how coffee is made and how small details affect taste, you appreciate every cup you serve,” she said.
What began as practice sessions at home gradually transformed into 7 Baris — a modest yet inviting café designed to offer warmth and familiarity rather than a purely commercial atmosphere.
The name 7 Baris carries personal meaning. The number seven symbolises various elements in life, from the seven colours of the rainbow to the seven verses of Al-Fatihah. Interestingly, “Nana” in Japanese also means seven, making the concept even more personal.
She envisions the café as a space where people can pause, gather their thoughts and reconnect — whether alone, with friends or with family.
Balancing entertainment commitments and business operations has not been easy. Nana admitted that time management is one of her biggest challenges. Trusting her team and maintaining discipline have been crucial in ensuring smooth daily operations.
“There are moments when returns don’t come as quickly as expected. That can be discouraging. But when customers return and share positive feedback, it reminds me why I started,” she explained.
Nana emphasised that 7 Baris is not a short-term venture built on passing trends. Instead, it is a long-term investment grounded in passion and identity.
For her, success is not measured solely by revenue figures, but by the ability to create meaningful spaces and opportunities for others.
Through dedication and a willingness to learn from the ground up, Nana Mahazan has demonstrated that sustainable entrepreneurship requires more than celebrity status — it demands authenticity, resilience and heart.
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