Brewing Success Beyond the Classroom

Whether you’re looking to kick off your morning or need a pick-me-up between classes, Stedman’s Café is the place to be. Located inside of the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) College of Business Administration (CBA), it is more than just your average coffee and sandwich shop. The business operates under a unique model that is completely student-run, giving them the opportunity to gain real-world experience that can’t be offered within the confines of a classroom.

Nestled within the heart of Mammel Hall, this café serves as an oasis, fostering an environment where students can hone in on their craft. Students from diverse majors, not limited to those enrolled in the CBA, come together in a space designed to foster excellence, where they study, dine, and collaborate.

Opened by UNO’s Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Franchising, the café offers student workers with a one of a kind experience the opportunity to see the inside workings of running your own business, exposing them to them to the pressures and obligations of owning a business. From new drinks, to what’s on the menu, all decisions are made by the students who work at the café. All the proceeds earned by the café are then given back to students in the form of scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance.

The café was named in honor of Robert C. Stedman, who graduated from UNO in the spring of 1951 with a business degree. Stedman was a pioneer at the university, he created a unitrust through the University of Nebraska Foundation for business students.

Ahmed Al Waili, a business student at UNO, began working at Stedman’s Café in January of 2022. Today, the young entrepreneur serves as the café manager where he oversees a team of student-workers. Al Waili was inspired to join the team by a peer and his deep desire to one day have a business of his own.

“I have always dreamed of opening my own coffee shop one day. I’ve always wanted my own business, where I am able to make decisions and lead the way, but that’s something I’m not able to do as a student. Then, when I began attending school at UNO, I was referred to Stedman’s Café by a friend,” said Al Waili. “It’s an amazing opportunity where I can have the experience of leading a business, without the risk of spending from my own pockets. It’s not just a job, and no one ‘just works’ here. We do so much more.”

Al Waili added that one of the most exciting aspects of working at Stedman’s is that he can apply what he is learning inside of the classroom while managing the café. Rather than just learning about how to manage a business, he is supervising a team, making real purchases, and implementing new marketing strategies for the café.

“Everything that I have learned as a business student, I’ve been able to use here. When we study, we aren’t using what we’ve learned immediately, but because I’m working here at the same time that I’m taking classes, I can use what I’ve learned immediately. This helps me to sharpen my skills in every aspect.” said Al Waili.

The impact that Stedman’s leaves on the lives of students goes far beyond the scope of the building. For Al Waili, this came in the form of networking and making new connections. The young entrepreneur said that he has been able to attend events, gain access to new opportunities like internships, and was even given the chance to sit in on a presentation given by the CEO of Occidental Petroleum (Oxy).

“It’s not just being able to work at Stedman’s, but it’s how the team supports you. Everyone there wants you to succeed,” said Al Waili

Stedman's Café is more than a coffee shop; it is a gateway to empowerment and growth. By providing students with the tools, experiences, and support they need to succeed, they are opening doors and creating new opportunities. As students like Al Waili continue to flourish within its walls, the legacy of Stedman's Café remains a testament to the power of experiential learning and the unwavering belief that success knows no boundaries when passion and opportunity intersect.

“As a student from another country, I feel as though I’ve found my home away from home here. Everyone genuinely cares about my success,” said Al Waili. “I feel supported here. It is such a warm feeling.”