Launching a family biz
Social Smoke started as a hookah reseller, but when its U.S. distributor went under, the company decided to source its products directly from overseas. Ali's brother and father, both engineers, quit jobs at Bell Helicopter to help run the new family business. Ali (in white shirt) turned control of the company over to his father, Sayyid (seated), who now serves as CEO. Ali's brother Abrahim (left) handles sales, while the clan's matriarch, Iman Enciso (center) manages the office. The youngest son, Mohammad, runs the warehouse.
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LAST UPDATE: Aug 26 2009 | 12:37 PM ET
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