Premium hookah tobacco since 2003.

Ali Nadimi

President

Ali Nadimi is the founder of Social Smoke, a premium hookah tobacco and accessories brand established in 2003. With a background in Economics from the University of Texas at Arlington (B.A., 2004), Ali combined entrepreneurial vision with a hands-on approach to build a company known for innovation, quality, and independence in the global hookah industry.

Before founding Social Smoke, Ali gained experience in a range of technical and service-oriented roles, including landscaping, automotive repair, and IT support. These positions sharpened his problem-solving skills and reinforced a strong work ethic. His early background as a varsity wrestler instilled discipline, resilience, and a drive for continuous self-improvement. These principles remain central to his leadership style today.

Under his direction, Social Smoke has grown from a bedroom startup to a well-recognized international brand. Ali has played a key role in all aspects of the business, including product development, manufacturing, brand strategy, and e-commerce infrastructure. He is particularly known for maintaining in-house control over recipe formulation, a rare distinction in the industry.

Since 2021, Ali has been based in Muscat, Oman, where he continues to lead Social Smoke’s global operations and drive product innovation, while actively pursuing new business opportunities in the shisha and lifestyle sectors.

Sayyid Nadimi

CEO

Dr. Sayyid Nadimi, P.E., wasn’t born in Texas but got here as fast as he could. Born in Iran and raised in Los Angeles, he developed a strong work ethic and relentless determination that would define his career.

Sayyid earned his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he conducted research, published in international technical journals, and taught complex engineering subjects to undergraduate students. After his academic tenure, he brought his expertise to Bell Helicopter Textron, where he served as a Principal Engineer and Technical Resource Specialist. He also collaborated with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Designated Engineering Representative (DER), overseeing regulatory compliance for aviation projects at Bell.

In 2005, as Social Smoke Inc. began to grow, Sayyid made the bold decision to leave his role at Bell and join his sons in the family business full time. Since then, he has been instrumental in the company’s development, holding leadership positions including CEO and Vice President of Procurement & Supplies. His technical expertise and strategic guidance have been key to Social Smoke’s long-term success.

Affectionately known within the company as the “Scarfather,” Sayyid is based in Dallas, Texas, and often jokes that he’s enjoying his 30s more the second time around.

Mohammad Nadimi

VP - Product Development

Mohammad Nadimi is the Head of Product Development and oversees Quality Control at Social Smoke, where he plays a key role in shaping the brand’s product portfolio and maintaining its high standards of consistency and flavor integrity.

Growing up in Arlington, Texas, Mohammad developed an entrepreneurial mindset early on. Dissatisfied with the limits of a modest allowance, he began buying and selling toys and event tickets before eventually joining the family business. During the summer between sixth and seventh grade, his father, Sayyid Nadimi, offered him the opportunity to earn money toward his first car by working in the family warehouse.

While warehouse work wasn’t his passion, Mohammad soon took interest in a small, early-stage tobacco manufacturing and R&D initiative within the company. His fresh perspective and commitment helped push the project forward through early challenges. Eventually, he took the lead, laying the foundation for what would become Social Smoke Tobacco’s signature product line.

Today, Mohammad continues to drive innovation at Social Smoke, combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of consumer preferences. His leadership ensures that every new product meets the brand’s commitment to quality, purity, and flavor excellence.

Cynthia Florez

VP Sales

From selling Charms Blow Pops at age nine to growing with one of the hookah industry’s most recognized brands, Cynthia Florez has always had an entrepreneurial fire and a passion for connecting people through product and experience.

Her early sales instincts were sharpened through school fundraisers and family gatherings, where she quickly turned candy into capital. By her late teens, she was already navigating the nightlife scene in South Florida, promoting major nightclubs. Around the same time, she began stepping into the tobacco industry, first through a family connection, and later by using her hookah and nightlife expertise to help grow a hookah distribution business.

Her strategic vision, talent for sales, and ability to spot trends made her a standout in the industry. In 2010, Cynthia found her home with Social Smoke. What began as a simple business relationship soon grew into something more, built on mutual respect, shared values, and a deep commitment to quality. That connection led her to officially join the company, and she has played a vital role in shaping its direction ever since.

As VP - Sales, Cynthia leads with insight, integrity, and innovation. She has helped expand Social Smoke’s footprint across the USA and far beyond, driven by her skills in negotiation, market development, trend forecasting, and brand advocacy. With a genuine passion for the culture and community around hookah, she continues to be a key force behind the brand’s growth and global recognition. She looks forward to the day when the world can enjoy Social Smoke as much as she does.

Bassem Chahine

Entrepreneur, Innovator & Hookah Industry Trailblazer

Bassem Chahine is a respected entrepreneur and creative force in the global hookah industry, known for his pioneering contributions and passion for premium tobacco products.

Born in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to a Lebanese family, Bassem moved to the United States at 16, bringing with him a deep appreciation for Middle Eastern tobacco culture. His journey in the industry began in 2006 when he opened his first hookah lounge in Lawrence, Kansas. That single lounge soon expanded into a network of popular hookah lounges across the Midwest, each focused on delivering a high-quality, authentic smoking experience.

Later that same year, Bassem launched Medwakh.com, introducing U.S. consumers to a curated range of Middle Eastern tobacco products. From this platform, he built a family of brands that would become staples in the market:

Nirvana Super Shisha: A groundbreaking fusion of traditional shisha and dokha for a bold, intensified experience

Eclipse: A dark-leaf tobacco line known for its rich flavor profiles and powerful buzz

Othmani: A tribute to traditional Turkish-style tobacco, crafted with authenticity in mind

Bassem’s unique ability to spot market trends and his relentless commitment to product innovation helped solidify his reputation as a leader in the industry. Beyond building his own brands, he has consulted with several companies, helping them optimize their business operations, improve product lines, and grow their presence in competitive markets.

Today, Bassem continues to champion innovation and quality in the hookah world, contributing his expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to support the growth and global presence of Social Smoke.

Fatimeh Nadimi

Photographer & Visual Storyteller

From the moment Fatimeh Nadimi picked up a camera as a teenager, she knew photography was more than a passion. It was an artistic journey waiting to unfold. With an innate talent for composition and an eye for striking visual narratives, she quickly became an integral part of her family's business, Social Smoke. Her seamless fusion of design and photography has elevated Social Smoke's labels and packaging, setting them apart as truly distinctive in the industry.

As a freelance photographer, Fatimeh has collaborated with a diverse range of clients, from luxury brands to emerging artists, bringing their visions to life with her distinctive style. Her expertise in fashion and commercial photography has led to dynamic collaborations with brands looking to elevate their visual identity through bold, expressive imagery.

Determined to redefine the way tobacco culture is portrayed, Fatimeh has transformed traditional product photography into a captivating art form. Through masterful use of light, texture, and movement, she brings the essence of Social Smoke to life. She turns delicate wisps of smoke into mesmerizing sculptures and captures the richness of meticulously crafted flavors. Her work transcends conventional industry visuals, making hookah not just a product but a statement.

With a refined aesthetic and a commitment to pushing artistic boundaries, Fatimeh continues to make waves in the photography world. She proves that even the most fleeting moments, like the curl of smoke, can become timeless works of art.