Worcester Business Journal

12 Worcester Business Journal | February 23, 2026 | wbjournal.com F O C U S BUSINESS LEADERS OF THE YEAR BY LAURA FINALDI Special to WBJ N eelu Mohaghegh has always been drawn to cultural gatherings. A Worcester native, Mohaghegh grew up traveling, fascinated by the heartbeat of cities like Boston, New York, and Mal- aga, Spain. As she got older, graduated from Boston University, and started working in marketing in the music industry, Mohaghegh realized she wanted to be at the center of creating the gatherings she'd always loved. "I love connecting people, making them feel like they have some common ground and creating that memory that they can hold," she said. at desire is the driving force be- hind Mohaghegh's ventures in the city where she was born and raised. She is the owner and CEO of Cafe Neelu, a multi-concept business inside a Gateway Park building owned by her father. Cafe Neelu includes Fuel America Grove Street, a coffee shop opened in 2022; Grove Village Market, a bodega selling convenience goods; and a multi-purpose space, intended to be a launching pad and creative space for local entrepreneurs, artisans, or anyone who wants to share their cra with others. "Neelu is an incredible business woman, but so much of that is a result of her doing everything she wants to do despite the money," said Alex Lucier, co-owner of clothing brand Blessed Envision, who first met Mohaghegh in spring of 2023 when he and his business partner were looking to do a fashion show. "Right off the bat, I saw she was very similar to me and my business partner because we're all very detail-oriented, very passionate about what we do, however the money comes." Coffee is essential to Mohaghegh's business plan, she said, because food and drink have a way of connecting people. She always intended to make Cafe Neelu more than a coffee shop, and over four years in business, she's hosted Lunar New Year festivals, toy drives, coffee and car shows, and streetwear fashion shows through her production company Detour Live. e fashion shows are especially important in Worcester, which doesn't have as many options as places like New York or Los Angeles, she said. "Massachusetts is full of incredibly talented people, and the infrastructure does need it," she said. "I'm grateful I have a space and platform. [e fashion shows] have been very fruitful. People get excited and ask me every year, 'When are we doing it again?'" Mohaghegh has a special magnetism, Lucier said, using her amazing ideas to bring others along the way. "No matter where she is, she's the creative mastermind. She's the visionary for whatever we work on," Lucier said. "She is the most visionary, caring, and best coordinating person I've met." Mohaghegh is working on bringing a music festival to Worcester in the fall. e timing is perfect, she said, especial- ly because Boston Calling is taking a pause this year. She envisions a curated experience, with three performance areas, streetwear designers, and art. "I'm grateful that I have the platform to host that," she said. She's passionate about creating some- thing special in her hometown. "I just feel like there's a code to crack here. It would be so great to be able to make an impact for the city, to have more going for it, and to make people feel like they have to make a stop in Worcester," she said. W Mohaghegh is a creative mastermind Small Business Leader of the Year Neelu Mohaghegh Café owner & creative cultural activator Café Neelu, Inc., in Worcester Employees: 20 Age: 30 PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT "She is the most visionary, caring, and best coordinating person I've met." Alex Lucier, co-owner of clothing brand Blessed Envision

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