In this episode of WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton are joined by chef, entrepreneur, and storyteller, Hawa Hassan! The powerhouse behind Basbaas Sauce and the James Beard Award-winning author of In Bibi’s Kitchen, now she’s back with a stunning new cookbook, Setting a Place for Us: Recipes and Stories of Displacement, Resilience, and Community. This new book brings together 75 recipes and powerful personal narratives from countries shaped by war and migration.
From launching the first Somali condiment line to building a brand rooted in culture and connection, Hawa shares her incredible journey from refugee to food entrepreneur. She opens up about turning a small idea into a big impact, the importance of storytelling in business, the emotional work behind sharing personal narratives, and why not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur. Plus, she talks about her expansion into TV, building a holding company, and the power of preserving heritage through food. Whether you're a creative founder, a passionate storyteller, or simply someone looking to make a meaningful impact through your work, this episode will leave you inspired to lead with purpose and authenticity.
Follow Hawa:
Instagram: @hawahassan
Basbaas: @babaasfoods | basbaassauce.com
Resources & Mentions:
Setting a Place for Us — Buy the book
Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival
To follow along with Create & Cultivate: https://www.instagram.com/createcultivate
To connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnson
To connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton
www.createcultivate.com
PR: createcultivate@laruepr.com
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Law & Order: Criminal Justice System - Season 1 & Season 2
Season Two Out Now! Law & Order: Criminal Justice System tells the real stories behind the landmark cases that have shaped how the most dangerous and influential criminals in America are prosecuted. In its second season, the series tackles the threat of terrorism in the United States. From the rise of extremist political groups in the 60s to domestic lone wolves in the modern day, we explore how organizations like the FBI and Joint Terrorism Take Force have evolved to fight back against a multitude of terrorist threats.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com