- Somia Farid Silber took over as the Director General of Edible Brands, her family company.
- She is also a 2-year-old mother and relies on paid aid to balance both.
- Her younger brothers still work in the retail countries of the family.
This strong essay — to based on a conversation with Somia Farid SilberCeo i Food brands. Hasten edited for length and clarity.
I am the oldest of the six sisters and sistersBut sometimes, she feels like I have a seventh sister: family business. My dad started edible deals when I was about 6 years old, and I’ve been part of it from the beginning.
Even at that young age, I was always getting a little Business lessons by my father. He would tell me to answer the phone with a smile because the client could hear this through the phone lines. He always went inside the front door of the store to see what clients saw. He had a passion and purpose, and those two attributes formed whom I was personally and professionally.
now I am CEO of edible brandsI sometimes still call my dad for advice. Comforter comforting to know I’m not just in this.
My parents stressed to stay humble while the business grew up
At first, the business was very humble. My father reinvested everythingAnd we lived on a modest raised farm, where I shared a bedroom with my sister.
The company really started to grow when my dad approved a way of exclusivity. Between 2000 and 2005, it grew from a small piece of shops in more than 500. We moved to a larger house where I had my bedroom. My parents were still humble, but they spent money on our education. I moved from public school to a private high school and later college, for whom my parents paid.
Still, my parents taught me that I I had to work hard. I worked with retail in our stores. Even today, three of my younger sisters, who are still in high school, work in stores.
I feel a responsibility to my family and our exclusivity
I always knew I had other opportunities other than joining the family business. But when I was taking business lessons at college, I thought about how to apply what I learned in edible brands. This was a sign that my head and heart were already in the family business.
I worked briefly elsewhere before joining Edible when I was 23 years old. This year, on 31, I was named CEO. I am a stronger leader because I really understand the value of this business, not only on paper, but also through emotional, financial and time investment that my family has made to make it a success.
I come from a long line of entrepreneurs, but this is the first time a business has been submitted to the second generation. I feel that responsibility for my family and hundreds of small businesses owners who have edible exclusive arrangements and their families. Really really special for me to be able to continue this.
My parents taught me to avoid interest and live under my tools
I’m lucky to be very financially safe. My husband and I can provide for our family without worrying about expenses. We have some nannies and grandparents looking at our daughter during the work week and Saturdays, so we can play Golf together.
However, I remember the financial lessons that my parents have put in me. They never taught me to live on my tools and avoid interest, so I pay my credit card statement in full every month and I am very deliberate for getting debt as my mortgage.
I am emanating more at home to take care of myself
As I entered the role of CEO, I realized that I need to focus more on my physical and emotional health and well -being. I have a massage therapist to come to my house about once a month. I make my nails regularly made. This may seem superficial, but because these things help me feel good, they make me a better woman, mother and leader.
I am also exploring the transfer of more at home, such as cleaning and laundry. Like CEO, my time is very valuable. When I am home, I want to spend quality time with my daughter and husband. My parents taught me that it is best to treat yourself with pleasant things and experiences as long as you do it in a responsible financial way. This means spending money to give preference in quality time with the people I love.