Brewing Dreams from Home: In the Warmth of Small Beginnings

“The idea of a home cafe had always been in the pipeline, but it happened spontaneously. That first home cafe wasn’t even the first, actually—it started during festive open houses where we had a coffee machine and friends gathered. I enjoyed hosting and having lovely people around. It was the jumpstart I needed.”

This spontaneous beginning aligns perfectly with a broader trend in Singapore. Post-pandemic, many aspiring café owners have decided to start with home-based setups as they consider rising rents and logistical hurdles. A recent Channel NewsAsia report¹ even highlighted how passionate individuals are launching intimate coffee spots like ‘Coffee by the Porch’ and ‘Brewprint Coffee’, from places like terrace porches to HDB flats simply to share their love for brews with neighbours. These home cafes emphasise community, creativity, and a return to simplicity — values that resonate deeply in Muhaimin’s story. For iambarelycoffee, a shared coffee machine at a festive gathering was not just serendipity, but the organic seed of a purposeful passion project, rooted in connection rather than commerce.

The space is not curated by Muhaimin alone. It is co-crafted with the care of a tight-knit team of loved ones.

“My wife works behind the scenes during the actual days to ensure everything runs smoothly. My mother-in-law contributes her delicious bakes that are loved by all. My brother is dubbed the ‘matcha master’ by those who’ve had his drinks. A special mention to Clogtwo and my brother who assist in the logo and posters that we come up every time we do a pop up or home cafe.”

It just goes to show that in side hustles or ventures often takes many hands behind the scenes to bring the ideas to life. As a husband-wife team running iambarelycoffee, their roles are fluid and complementary rather than strictly defined, reflecting the collaborative spirit at the heart of their journey.

“We complement each other. She’s into bakes, I’m into coffee. We bounce ideas off each other, see what works. Even though I have the final say, her input—and everyone’s input—is always considered.”

Balancing this venture along with their day jobs and relationship is not easy, but a shared dream keeps them aligned.

“We romanticise the idea of having an actual brick-and-mortar space. It’s something both of us hold dearly and seeing it as what we’re working towards—that’s what keeps everything in order.”

Yet, they remain aware of the cost—emotional and practical.

“The practical demands of daily life makes you yearn for this pursuit even more but they also play devil’s advocate. You see people dedicate their lives to it and burn out—but you also see those who make it work.”

For Muhaimin, one of the biggest challenges in pursuing this dream is financial sustainability.

“Especially in Singapore, where everything boils down to cost. Renting a proper space with good footfall is expensive. Ingredients and equipment cost quite a lot. Like any startup, you require a big amount of capital to begin with,” he explains. “To overcome it, I suppose getting an investor? Or a co-ownership, where two different industries share a space to halve the burden.”

Outside of iambarelycoffee, Muhaimin works as a barista in a corporate setting. When asked if iambarelycoffee is still a side hustle or something more, Muhaimin shares, “There is always a bigger dream. But with a bigger dream comes every other aspect involved.” Today, iambarelycoffee opens its doors sparingly, offering intimate sessions on an occasional basis. There is no nominal fee charged, just tips. Most guests are friends and family. They also invite past and loyal customers from their online business and allow the people they invite to bring whoever they think would appreciate the concept.

Despite the challenges, Muhaimin remains driven by his vision. He hopes that one day, iambarelycoffee can grow into a self-sustaining, full-time venture.

“Right now, the main goal is getting the word out, mainly through social media. But the algorithm’s not really in our favour so it’s pretty hard.”

When asked how important mentorship is in building something like iambarelycoffee, Muhaimin shares,

“Very important. But it’s not just about mentors. It’s about people in general. Having a variety of people around you; different industries, different journeys.”

That is not to say that the journey has not had guiding voices. In an early Instagram post, Muhaimin mentioned a mentor—someone he still holds very dear.

“He’s someone who left too soon. A mentor in customer service, even though I’m still not great at it. He was influential not just at work, but beyond.”

His experience matches broader findings: a 2024 survey² by the Singapore Entrepreneurship Network found that 80% of entrepreneurs credited mentorship with playing a significant role in their success, and 60% had received direct guidance from mentors at some point. Initiatives like Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI) are also increasingly emphasising structured mentorship and networking for Malay-Muslim entrepreneurs. This aligns with efforts by MENDAKI to develop professional networks and mentoring platforms that help young Malay-Muslim talents thrive in business and beyond.

So, what advice would Muhaimin give to someone with a passion but no clear path?

“I’m not sure I’m the right person to give advice—I’m still surviving. But all I can say is: mix around with people who’ve done it, failed at it, and those still trying. They give you perspective.”

For those still sitting on an idea, unsure where to begin, his message is simple and encouraging:

“Go je (Just go for it). Start small so you can dream big.”

As for what is next, Muhaimin hopes to grow iambarelycoffee into something that exists on a larger scale—with greater public awareness, deeper roots, and maybe, one day, its own brick-and-mortar space. “But for now, we are taking it a day at a time.”

It may not boast a sleek or polished storefront or long queues, but what Muhaimin and his loved ones have created from their home is no less compelling. It is shaped by care, where every detail – from each pour to every bake – is infused with thoughtfulness, warmth and a desire to connect.

In a coffee landscape still negotiating the balance between substance and spectable, iambarelycoffee charts its own path. As they continue brewing from home, one cup at a time, iambarelycoffee reminds us that not all dreams need to start with capital or clout. Some begin with people. Some begin with love. And some, like this one, begin with a name, a purpose, and the courage to start small.

Sherlita Almeyra Sherhan is currently pursuing a Bachelor's of Social Work in SUSS. Her research interests lie in exploring social issues affecting the Malay community and the perservation of Malay culture in the context of global influences. She is the Co-Founder and pro-bono CEO of MudaSG, Vice-Chairperson of M3@GeylangSerai and Youth Lead for M3@Jalan Besar.