62. How to Start a Cafe With Shivani Darsinos, Founder of Cafe Babu
About this episode
Shivani Darsinos shares her journey of founding Cafe Babu, blending cultural heritage with community through coffee and cocktails.
What happens when a dream, a culture, and a cup of coffee collide? In this episode, Andrew sits down with Shivani Darsinos , founder of Cafe Babu : Nashville’s coffee-meets-cocktail sanctuary that celebrates heritage, connection, and community. Named after her grandfather, Cafe Babu beautifully blends Shivani’s Indian roots and her husband’s Greek heritage , creating a space that feels both soulful and universal. Shivani shares how her upbringing shaped her drive; from a dad who taught her that strength knows no gender (“Who’s helping me lift this air conditioner?”) to the deep pride she feels in building a space that’s for everyone , regardless of where they come from or what they believe. She opens up about: Turning her cultural story into a business that channels people’s energy The whirlwind of wearing “one too many hats” as a founder The magic of a single cafe that’s a “one-hit wonder” … full of personality, warmth, and love And yes… how Joe Jonas ended up performing at Cafe Babu (!) Through it all, Shivani reminds us that every cup of coffee holds a story; one made with intention, respect, and an incredible amount of love. If you’ve ever dreamed of creating something that…
People in this episode
Host: Andrew Namanny
Guest: Shivani Darsinos
Topics covered
- cafe entrepreneurship
- cultural heritage
- community building
- personal stories
- coffee culture
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Cafe Babu
Places: Nashville
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