Success is never achieved alone. Whether it’s mentors, peers, or your team, having the right support system is invaluable. Equally important is being an active listener — taking the time to truly understand your team’s challenges, perspectives, and ideas. Some of our best ideas have come from listening closely to our partners and frontline teams who see opportunities I might have missed. Leadership isn’t just about directing, it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
As a part of our series called ‘Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A CEO’ we had the pleasure of interviewing Somia Farid Silber.
Edible Brands®, the parent company of Edible Arrangements® (known today as Edible®), an innovative e-commerce retail hub and modern gifting destination, announces the appointment of Somia Farid Silber as its new chief executive officer (CEO), replacing founder and longtime leader Tariq Farid.
Silber, who previously served as president of Edible Brands for the last two years, will continue redefining Edible as a top-tier hybrid retail experience, integrating Edible’s e-commerce capabilities with its extensive franchise network. In her new role, Silber will oversee initiatives that target the next generation of consumers and grow Edible’s market presence through new product offerings and the launch of Edible’s new retail locations.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us the story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Early on, my dad instilled in me the importance of embracing an entrepreneurial spirit. He founded Edible Arrangements in 1999, and I watched him grow the brand from one store to hundreds — it was hard not to be inspired by that! I grew up working in the stores alongside him and learned that infusing passion and purpose into a brand is one of the most important factors in success.
Over the past decade, I’ve held various leadership roles that shaped my understanding of the business. From overseeing e-commerce as a vice president to managing our technology division, Netsolace, each role taught me valuable lessons about innovation, customer experience and staying ahead in a competitive market.
As president, I focused on expanding our digital footprint and leading a brand refresh that modernized everything — from our retail prototype to new, on-trend product offerings. These experiences taught me the importance of strong business fundamentals and creative problem-solving. Now, as CEO, I’m working to modernize the brand, connect with younger audiences and honor the legacy my dad built.
Can you share one of the major challenges you encountered when first leading the company?
When I stepped into leadership, I experienced the company during a period of declining sales in 2019, followed by a dramatic rebound in 2020. It was a crash course in how external factors and world events can impact business. It taught me about timing, prioritizing decisions and learning from mistakes. Now, I approach challenges with a broader perspective and welcome diverse viewpoints.
On a personal level, navigating leadership at a young age has been challenging. I’ve faced imposter syndrome — not just due to my age but also as a woman and a woman of color in leadership. Joining the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) has been incredibly helpful. Being part of a community of peers who share similar experiences has reinforced my confidence and growth.
As a second-generation leader, establishing my own identity within the company has been crucial. My perspective as a young, female leader allows me to resonate with our next-generation consumers and quickly adapt to emerging trends that drive innovation and diversification at Edible.
What lesson did you learn from that?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of resilience and adaptability. I’ve faced moments of doubt, but I’ve come to view challenges as opportunities to grow. I’ve learned to channel doubt into motivation, letting results speak for my capabilities.
Operational challenges have taught me that there’s always a way to turn things around with focus, a strong team and a willingness to tackle details. I’ve embraced problem-solving as a core part of leadership, viewing obstacles as chances to innovate and grow.
What are some of the factors that you believe led to your success?
Success starts with grit — being solution-oriented and maintaining a positive outlook during challenges. My father emphasized the power of constant learning and incremental improvement. He taught me that success isn’t about overnight transformations but about consistent improvements in processes, workflows and strategies.
Surrounding myself with the right people has also been critical. Joining organizations like YPO and working with a phenomenal executive team has provided invaluable support and insights, helping me navigate personal and professional growth.
What advice would you give to your colleagues to help them thrive and not “burn out”?
Burnout is something I actively manage, especially as a working mom. Balancing motherhood and my role as CEO is challenging, but I’ve learned to prioritize time for myself and my family. Reserving weekends for uninterrupted family time and taking breaks, like a recent two-week vacation to Thailand and Japan, have been game-changers.
It’s important to trust your team to keep things moving while you unplug. I encourage my team to use their PTO and fully disconnect to recharge. Self-care isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. Leading by example fosters a culture where everyone feels supported in prioritizing their well-being.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person you are grateful to who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
Without question, my dad has been a guiding force in shaping the leader I am today. He turned everyday moments into learning opportunities.
One story that stands out was when I was selected to attend a magnet school in Connecticut. I wasn’t thrilled about the idea, so I wrote a persuasive essay to my dad explaining why I wanted to stay at my current school. He listened and let me stay for a year. That experience taught me the power of communication and negotiation — skills I rely on to this day.
Another formative experience was working in the stores as a teenager. My dad taught me to always answer the phone with a smile because, as he said, “The person on the other side can hear it.” He also insisted I enter the store through the front door to see things from the customer’s perspective. These lessons in attention to detail and customer experience have stuck with me and shaped how I lead today.
What are Five Things you Wish Someone Told you before you became a CEO?
1. Imposter syndrome is normal, but don’t let it hold you back.
As a young leader, I’ve faced imposter syndrome, especially as a woman of color. I’ve learned that my seat at the table is earned through hard work and results and that’s what truly matters. Trust your abilities and know that doubt is part of the journey, not a reflection of your capability.
2. Embrace the challenges — they shape you.
Every role I’ve stepped into has come with its own set of challenges, whether it was fixing operational gaps or turning around struggling teams. These moments, while stressful, have been the most rewarding because they’ve forced me to grow, adapt and gain a deeper understanding of the business and people.
3. You don’t have to be extroverted to be a strong leader.
I’m naturally introverted, but being a CEO means stepping into the spotlight when necessary. I’ve found that focusing on the bigger impact — like inspiring other young women — motivates me to push past my comfort zone. Leadership doesn’t mean changing who you are; it’s about finding what drives you.
4. Surround yourself with the right people.
Success is never achieved alone. Whether it’s mentors, peers, or your team, having the right support system is invaluable. Equally important is being an active listener — taking the time to truly understand your team’s challenges, perspectives, and ideas. Some of our best ideas have come from listening closely to our partners and frontline teams who see opportunities I might have missed. Leadership isn’t just about directing, it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
5. It’s okay to fail — just fail fast.
My dad always emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes quickly and focusing on incremental improvements. Whether it’s a small tweak or a major pivot, progress is built through continuous learning and iteration. This mindset has helped me stay resilient and innovative, even in high-pressure situations.
What are some of the goals you still have and are working to accomplish, both personally and professionally?
Professionally, one of my main goals is to continue evolving Edible Brands into a robust platform company that unites celebration, food, health and wellness brands. We’ve made a significant leap with the acquisition of Rōti, a Mediterranean restaurant concept with a growing national presence. This acquisition is a major step forward, and I’m excited about the opportunity to scale Rōti into a global brand in the coming years. It’s a pivotal move in building an integrated portfolio under Edible Brands, where each business retains its unique brand identity.
At the same time, we’re leveraging our shared services infrastructure — our in-house centers of excellence across creative services, talent acquisition, e-commerce, technology, and finance — to support both existing and newly acquired brands. My overarching goal is to build an enduring billion-dollar brand platform and ultimately take Edible Brands to even greater heights.
On a personal level, I’m continually working to stay engaged with the latest developments in the industry and consumer markets. I haven’t had the exposure to other industries or brands through traditional work experience, so I make it a point to learn from outside sources. Attending trade shows, conferences and forums helps me stay in tune with global trends. For example, we recently became members of the Women’s Foodservice Forum and we are members of the International Franchise Association and I occasionally speak at digital and tech conferences.
This balance between learning externally and refining our internal strategies ensures I’m always contributing fresh ideas and perspectives to Edible Brands. It’s a continuous effort, but staying engaged and informed is key to both personal growth and the long-term success of the business.
What do you hope to leave as your lasting legacy?
There aren’t many 31-year-old South Asian American Muslim women running half-a-billion-dollar companies and I want to change that. My legacy, I hope, will be one of inspiration and empowerment. I want to be an example for the next generation — my daughter, my nieces and other young women who aspire to have a seat at the table and grow into leadership roles. It’s important to show that it’s possible and to pave the way for others.
I’ve also been inspired by trailblazers like Indra Nooyi, Ursula Burns, and Sara Blakely who have shown what’s possible for women in the corporate world. Following in their footsteps, I aim to pay it forward by leaving a strong example for future generations. Only about 7% of private companies with revenue over $1 billion have a female CEO, and I strive to be a part of the group that changes that. I hope my journey encourages young women to believe in themselves, push past barriers and strive for greatness, knowing they’re capable of achieving whatever they set their minds to.
If you could start a movement that would enhance people’s lives in some way, what would it be?
For me, food is such an integral part of life and our identity as a brand at Edible. One movement I would love to start would focus on eliminating food scarcity and ensuring that everyone has access to good, wholesome and nutritious food. It’s heartbreaking to think that in a world with so much abundance, there are still so many who go without. It’s a cause I’m deeply passionate about and I believe it could truly enhance people’s lives in a meaningful way.
As a family and as a company, we are committed to supporting local community organizations that focus on food security, healthcare, and education. At Edible, we’re working on a larger cause-marketing strategy to align these values with our business platform. The goal is to take these core values, which are part of our family foundation and integrate them into Edible’s larger mission.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
You can connect with me on LinkedIn at Somia Farid Silber. For updates from Edible Brands, follow us here:
- LinkedIn: Edible Brands
- Facebook: Edible Arrangements
- Instagram: @EdibleArrangements
- TikTok: @Edible
We’re always sharing updates about our mission, products and the exciting work we’re doing. Feel free to follow along and we’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback!
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
Somia Farid Silber Of Edible Brands: Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A CEO was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.