• American Dream
  • Edible Arrangements
  • family
  • Hall of Fame
  • IFA
  • Mentors

There have been many high points over the course of my entrepreneurial journey, but I can’t think of any that compare to this past Sunday when I was honored with the International Franchise Association’s Hall of Fame Award.

To receive such an incredible honor was humbling.Not long ago I asked a good friend how he was doing and he said, “better than I deserve.” I thought that was an incredible response, and considering what many people are facing, I feel the same way. I am blessed. My LORD has been very merciful and I can never be thankful enough for His blessings.

Tariq Farid Hall of Fame award

Receiving the Hall of Fame award from Jay Duke and IFA Board Chair Shelly Sun.

As I was preparing for the ceremony, I couldn’t help but think of all those that have supported me and influenced me over the years. There are so many people to thank for helping me along the way. It is due to their kindness and generosity of others that I have been able to fulfill many of my dreams.

First, of course, were my wonderful mother and father and all my brothers and sisters.

As many of you know, I arrived with my family in this country as a young boy and we had very little. At 13, I got my first job at a flower shop thanks to the kindness of a small business owner named Charlie Farricielli. If not for him, I likely would have never have had the urge to become an entrepreneur.

Continue reading “Thank You! to all who made this journey possible”

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Two years ago, Junior Achievement of Southwest New England inducted me into their Business Hall of Fame. It was a wonderful honor and made special because my children were there to see me accept the award. It’s no secret that I got the entrepreneurial bug at a young age. I believe it is one of our greatest responsibilities to inspire and educate the next generation.

This week, the JA torch was passed to my oldest daughter Somia, a director here at Edible. JA announced her appointment to  the organization’s New Haven Advisory Board. I know that she will make a positive impact and continue to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to follow their dreams.

As Somia tells it: “I’ve grown up in an entrepreneurial family. I admire innovation and education. I’m honored to be joining the board and contributing to empowering young people through JA programs. To be able to do this in the community that I call home is special to me.”

I think it’s special as well. Congratulations!

 

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Media interviews are important and have really helped to spread the story and brand of Edible Arrangements. The interview I did with Tyler Mathisen of the “Nightly Business Report” was a thrill. My oldest daughter Somia was also part of the interview.  This is the full show.  My interview begins around the 22-minute mark.  Please watch and let me know what you think.

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  • Edible Arrangements
  • Teacher

While the refugee crisis has captured news coverage, the state of Connecticut has received displaced people for several years.  This story is about how an investment from several community philanthropists, including the Tariq and Asma Farid Foundation, are giving inspiration to eight refugees who are eager to become food entrepreneurs in New Haven.

The eight, who came from Syria, Afghanistan and Sudan, are participants in a new program called Kitchen Incubator, organized by CitySeed of New Haven. They are training to start a food business. The course also covers subjects in finance, marketing, legal and food safety.

Throughout the 10-week program participants are paired with an experienced mentor in small business management and have access to CitySeed’s commercial kitchen space for food preparation and testing.

On a recent Saturday morning, , participants were busy understanding product development.  Working with their mentor, the participants reviewed the items needed for their own recipes and listed how many of each item was required.

“How many pounds of carrots will you need to buy if you make this dish to serve 10 people? What about the parsley and garlic for the tabouli, how much?” asked the mentor as he typed the ingredients into a spreadsheet.

“Three pounds, four bunches of parsley and three cloves,” replied the woman.

Using the spreadsheet, participants could see the volume of food they need to buy while understanding how to set prices for the product they would eventually sell.  Future lessons include labeling, food safety and testing products with local chefs.

“Food brings cultures and people together,” observed Asma Farid, director of the Farid Foundation. “We hope participants get training and confidence to become food entrepreneurs and hopefully launch their own businesses.”

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  • Edible Arrangements
  • Franchise

Media interviews continue to help spread the story about Edible Arrangements. Being featured in segment about Connecticut companies took me back to where it began.  This has been way beyond what I ever dreamed. What a blessing.

WorkinCT: My interview with Amanda Raus

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