Umm Al-Quwain – Ali Alzakary
In the tranquil emirate of Umm Al-Quwain, where calm meets ambition, a young Yemeni entrepreneur turned his daily passion for coffee into a vibrant business story. That’s how Profile Specialty Coffee was born — a café that brings together quality, accessibility, and authenticity in every cup.
Abdulla alsakkaf was not a coffee expert when he started; he was simply a true coffee lover who believed that mastery comes through curiosity and consistency. From a modest idea to a thriving specialty coffee shop, he built his path one espresso at a time — driven by the belief that real success begins with passion, not possession.
In this inspiring conversation, we get closer to Al-Saggaf’s journey, his challenges, his vision for the future, and how he turned a simple love for coffee into a growing brand in the UAE.
Read the full interview and discover the inspiring journey of Abdulla alsakkaf, the young man who turned his passion into a story of success.
Abdullah, welcome. Please introduce yourself and your project.
I’m Abdulla alsakkaf, founder of Profile Specialty Coffee, located in the Emirate of Umm Al-Quwain. We started the project about a year and ten months ago, in January 2024.
How did the idea come to you?
I’ve always loved coffee — especially specialty drinks like cortado and flat white. I noticed that Umm Al-Quwain lacked cafés serving quality specialty coffee at affordable prices. Coffee is part of daily life, but not everyone can afford expensive cups every day. So, I wanted to create a place that combines both quality and fair pricing — a café for everyone.
Where did you begin?
Passion alone isn’t enough to start a business. I reached out to friends with experience in café management, not just those who love coffee. Together, we conducted a simple feasibility study, discussed equipment and essentials, and built the concept step by step. My friends supported me a lot — from setup to operations — until we officially launched.
How did you come up with the name “Profile”?
We wanted something that represents identity — a kind of “profile” for specialty coffee itself. The idea was to make our café stand out as a symbol of excellence, much like the word “pro” means top quality. So we chose “Profile” as our brand name — a simple yet strong identity.
What were the biggest challenges you faced?
The hardest part wasn’t setting up the café or finding the right machines — it was managing people and maintaining consistent quality. Customers quickly notice any change in flavor or presentation. So the real challenge was building a disciplined, skilled team and keeping the same high standards every single day.
Did being in the UAE help your business?
Absolutely. The UAE’s coffee culture has grown tremendously in recent years. People here appreciate good coffee and understand its value. That environment helps a lot — it encourages experimentation and rewards quality.
Were you an expert in coffee before launching?
Not at all. I loved coffee but wasn’t trained in it. After opening, I began studying more seriously and took professional courses to improve my knowledge. My advice is: you don’t need to be an expert to start — but once you do, keep learning. Passion will take you far if you stay curious and keep improving.
What’s the key factor for success in a coffee business?
It’s a mix of everything — the beans, the baristas, and the equipment. But the beans come first. No matter how skilled the barista is, or how advanced the machines are, you can’t get a great cup without high-quality beans. Each element complements the other, but coffee always begins with the bean.
From your experience, what kind of coffee do customers prefer?
At first, most customers wanted Brazilian or Ethiopian beans because they were familiar with them. But I wanted to introduce them to new flavors — like Tanzanian and Yemeni coffee. We made it accessible and encouraged people to try. Today, our Yemeni coffee has become one of our top sellers, and customers love its balanced taste.
Do you think UAE customers have become more knowledgeable about specialty coffee?
Yes, definitely. People now understand more about flavors, acidity, and balance. They might not be experts like roasters or café owners, but they’ve developed an educated palate. That’s why baristas play a key role in guiding customers — explaining the coffee’s character and helping them appreciate its nuances.
Have global issues like rising prices or import tariffs affected your operations?
To some extent, yes — mostly through local roasters who import green beans. Since we work mainly with local roasters, we’ve been shielded from the worst of it. Still, whenever import or shipping costs increase, it eventually impacts all of us. Thankfully, the UAE market is competitive and stable, which helps balance prices.
What’s your vision for Profile Coffee?
Our dream is to expand across the UAE. We started in Umm Al-Quwain and plan to reach other emirates like Sharjah and Ajman. We’re also preparing a mobile coffee truck to take our experience to more customers. By 2026, we hope to open new branches and reach more people with our concept.
What advice would you give young people who want to start a coffee business?
Start only if you truly love coffee. Don’t do it because it’s trendy — do it because you’re passionate about it. When you love something, you’ll naturally grow in it. And never stop learning — coffee evolves every day. If you stay consistent and curious, you’ll succeed.
Do you serve only coffee, or other products as well?
We try to offer a complete experience. Along with coffee, we serve matcha, hibiscus, breakfast items, and desserts. We want everyone to enjoy their time — even those who don’t drink coffee. That variety makes the experience more inclusive and enjoyable.
Finally, where do you see Profile in five years?
Maybe not global yet, but definitely across the UAE. My goal is steady growth with the same high standards — to make Profile a trusted name wherever we go.
