Three years ago, Nuala Griffiths introduced a slice of European culture to the North West after she opened the first-ever coffee shop just outside the Derry City’s historic walls.

Recent accolades have been bestowed on her business, Café Calm. It received the Junior Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Award at local and regional level, as well as a runner-up prize in the Derry Business Award, for best business night time economy - the Gift Shop also won the best Creativity Award.

Remarkably, Café Calm also picked up a Taste of Ulster Award recently for local produce, home cooked food – the only coffee shop in North West to have been awarded this accolade.

Nuala’s road to success began she enrolled on the first ever Foundation Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management course at North West Regional College, a two and a half year part-time programme of study. Throughout these years she could not quell the feeling inside to open her own business.

She explains: “I have always wanted to open a coffee shop and I wanted to be different, offering quality and variety. I travelled to France, Dublin and England to learn from the coffee shops in those countries.”

“My course at the College was rewarding and invaluable. It was great to have had modules on Food and Beverage, Events Management and Tourism, and my work not only involved running the coffee shop, but I was also a tour guide to customers”.

Nuala’s success both in business and studies is made all the more remarkable as it was discovered during her time at the College that she was dyslexic.

‘Very supportive’

She added: “The college was very supportive and they put me in touch with an organisation in Belfast which assisted me and that helped me feel safe while learning. I only wish it had been recognised earlier during my secondary school education.”

Hard work and dedication are the qualities that have put Nuala on the road to success, and her passion for her product and a deep desire to help bring a European feel to the City has not gone unnoticed in the business world.

“Believe in yourself and your product and do not let anyone deter you. Do not listen to negativity.

“ I listened to a lot of negativity about my location and what I was doing. I was told it would never work,” she said.

Nuala’s coffee shop is situated just outside Derry’s walls close to Shipquay Gate and offers a serene and pleasant place to sip on a real cappuccino, above all it makes for a Calm experience!

If you wish to follow in Nuala’s footsteps, then you should consider the Hospitality and Tourism course options now available at North West Regional College.

For more information visit www.nwrc.ac.uk, or call 028 7127 6000.