From Kitchen Startup to Global Brand: The Story of Aykiz Shah, Salaam Cola

From Kitchen Startup to Global Brand: The Story of Aykiz Shah, Salaam Cola

British entrepreneur Aykiz Shah has emerged as one of the most talked-about founders behind the fast-growing soft drink company Salaam Cola, a business she says was built on purpose, faith and social impact rather than profit alone.

Shah, a British Muslim businesswoman, founded Salaam Cola in 2023 during a period of growing consumer interest in ethical alternatives to major global beverage brands. The company positions itself as a socially conscious soft drink brand, pledging to donate a share of its profits to humanitarian and charitable causes.

According to Shah, her entrepreneurial journey was shaped by her upbringing. She has explained that during the Syrian conflict, her father encouraged the family to avoid products from companies they believed did not align with their values, a decision she says influenced her understanding of ethical consumerism.

Before launching Salaam Cola, Shah spent years working behind the scenes developing beverage recipes for other brands while nurturing her ambition to create a drinks company of her own.

She has said that a pilgrimage to Makkah for Hajj became a turning point in her life, strengthening her resolve to establish a business driven by purpose and community impact.

Salaam Cola officially entered the market in October 2023. Shah has recounted that she started the venture with limited resources, reportedly spending around £160 on initial sample cans before approaching distributors. Advance payments from early distribution agreements helped finance the company’s first production run.

Operating largely from her home while raising three children, Shah managed the business with little sleep, coordinating operations across multiple time zones and overseeing the company’s rapid expansion.

As demand increased, Salaam Cola expanded beyond the United Kingdom into international markets.

Shah has also revealed that the company faced significant legal challenges after some overseas distributors allegedly attempted to register the Salaam Cola trademark in their own names. She said the company successfully defended its intellectual property rights through legal processes.

Within its first year, Salaam Cola reported strong commercial growth, with the brand expanding into more than 27 countries across Europe, the Middle East and other international markets.

Beyond business, Shah says the company’s mission is centred on humanitarian support. Salaam Cola has announced contributions towards education programmes for displaced Palestinian children, community development initiatives and the reconstruction of places of worship, alongside other charitable projects funded through its profits.

Despite reports of lucrative acquisition offers, Shah has publicly stated that her goal is not simply to build a successful business but to create a lasting legacy.

“What I’m building is purpose-driven,” she has said. “I want it to outlive me.”

Her journey from developing drink recipes in private to leading an internationally recognised ethical beverage company has made Aykiz Shah an emerging figure in purpose-led entrepreneurship, demonstrating how business growth and social impact can be pursued together.

From Kitchen Startup to Global Brand: The Story of Aykiz Shah, Salaam Cola