Midday Keynote Session: All in the Family

Tom has spent the last 22 years at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch where he considers himself an “Intra-Preneur”. He is the founder of a 9 person boutique within the company called Singh & Associates.

He and his team specialize in pre-exit planning for business owners looking to sell their company in 12-36 months. By using their Proprietary financial Modeling Process, they run various simulations and prescribe strategies to help owners maximize their desired outcome.

He also oversees the Avalon location of Merrill Lynch managing 9 Billion of client assets and has been named the top 13 “Best in State Wealth Advisors” list by Forbes Magazine – 4 years in a row.

Embarking on an extraordinary journey from Pakistan to America at the age of 11, Tariq Farid’s story is a testament to the American dream. Growing up in West Haven, CT, he embraced the spirit of entrepreneurship early on. Tariq’s journey unfolded at a local McDonald’s, where he discovered the transformative power of business systemization.

In a bold move at 17, armed with a $5,000 loan from family and friends, Tariq purchased a flower shop in East Haven, CT, to open the first Edible Arrangements® (now edible®) store in 1999. Within two years, he transformed a single store into four. The venture swiftly evolved into a flourishing franchise empire, with nearly 1,000 stores worldwide.

Tariq’s strategic acumen not only shaped the company’s trajectory but also led him to found Netsolace® in 2001, a software distributor that later evolved into Naranga®, offering cutting-edge technology solutions for franchise companies, including edible®. Growing the edible® ecosystem in 2003, he went on to found BerryDirect®, a global supply chain service provider offering reliable global sourcing, fulfillment service, and high-quality products.

Beyond the boardroom, Tariq’s commitment to philanthropy is equally remarkable. In 2013, he established the Tariq Farid Foundation, channeling nearly $1 million annually to causes worldwide, ranging from healthcare and education to supporting refugees and fighting childhood cancer. His commitment to giving back through his foundation reflects his dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Somia Farid Silber is President of Edible Brands^®, the parent company of Edible^® (formerly Edible Arrangements^®), known worldwide as the pioneer in innovative gifts and treats, including its signature fresh fruit arrangements, baked goods, flowers, gourmet chocolates, and more.

Since being appointed President in 2022, Somia has been dedicated to guiding her family-owned business into its next phase of creativity and expansion. In addition to helming the strategic vision of the online brand and its nearly 1,000 franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada, Somia manages e-commerce and day-to-day operations at the company’s corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

At the heart of Somia’s responsibilities, though, is opening new doors for the business and its consumers. In her seven years with Edible Brands®, Somia has been instrumental in driving growth and fostering long-term connections with consumers. For example, in her previous role as Vice President of E-Commerce at Edible^®, Somia spearheaded the launch of brand-new categories, price points, and occasions, which introduced Edible to untapped audiences and increased online revenue and transactions.

Even prior to joining Edible^®’s e-commerce division, Somia served as Vice President/General Manager of Netsolace, the brand’s technology arm. In this role, she was responsible for the planning and development of Edible^®’s proprietary technology, including the e-commerce platform and retail technology applications used by the company’s entire global network.

Somia holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Babson College and was appointed in 2021 to the school’s distinguished Board of Trustees. Most recently, she was named a 2024 Georgia Titan 100, which recognizes the top C-level executives in Georgia. In 2020, Somia was awarded a spot in What Franchise’s “100 Influential Women in Franchising: Ones to Watch.” Also in 2021, Somia was named as one of the top 40 retail professionals under the age of 40 by Retail TouchPoints and design:retail, and by as one of the most amazing women leading the e-commerce space by Yotpo

Somia currently resides in Atlanta’s Brookhaven neighborhood with her husband, Jared, their daughter, Aya, and their goldendoodle, Luna. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with family, gardening, and trying out new restaurants in town.