• Somia Farid Silber took over as the CEO of Edible Brands, her family company.
• She's also a mom to a 2-year-old and relies on paid help to balance both.
• Her younger siblings still work at the family's retail locations.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Somia Farid Silber, CEO of Edible Brands. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I am the oldest of six siblings, but sometimes, it feels like I have a seventh sibling: the family business. My dad started Edible Arrangements when I was about 6 years old, and I've been part of it since the beginning.

Even at that young age, I was always picking up little lessons on business from my dad. He would tell me to answer the phone with a smile because the customer could hear that through the phone lines. He always walked in through the store's front door to see what customers saw. He had passion and purpose, and those two attributes shaped who I've become personally and professionally.

Now that I'm the CEO of Edible Brands, I sometimes still call my dad for advice. It's comforting to know I'm not in this alone.

My parents emphasized staying humble as the business grew

At first, the business was very humble. My dad reinvested everything, and we lived on a modest raised ranch, where I shared a bedroom with my sister.

The company really began to grow when my dad adopted a franchise mode. Between 2000 and 2005, it grew from a handful of stores to more than 500. We moved into a bigger home, where I had my own bedroom. My parents were still humble, but they spent money on our education. I switched from public school to a private high school and later college, which my parents paid for.

Still, my parents taught me that I had to work hard. I worked in retail at our stores. Even today, three of my younger siblings, who are still in high school, work at the stores.

I feel a responsibility to my family and our franchisees

I always knew I had other options besides joining the family business. But when I was taking business classes in college, I thought about how to apply what I was learning to Edible Brands. That was a sign that my head and heart were already in the family business.

I briefly worked somewhere else before joining Edible when I was 23. This year, at 31, I was appointed CEO. I'm a stronger leader because I really understand the value of this business, not only on paper but also through the emotional, financial, and time investments my family has made to make it a success.

I come from a long line of entrepreneurs, but this is the first time a business has been handed over to the second generation. I feel that responsibility for my family and the hundreds of small business owners who have Edible Arrangements franchises and their families. It's really special for me to be able to carry this on.

My parents taught me to avoid interest and live below my means

I'm lucky now to be incredibly financially secure. My husband and I can provide for our family without worrying about expenses. We have a few nannies and babysitters who watch our daughter during the workweek and on Saturdays, so we can play golf together.

Still, I remember the financial lessons my parents instilled in me. They taught me never to live above my means and to avoid interest, so I pay my credit card statement in full every month and am very intentional about taking on interest-bearing debt like my mortgage.

I'm outsourcing more at home to take care of myself

As I've stepped into the role of CEO, I've realized I need to focus more on my physical and emotional health and well-being. I have a massage therapist come to my home about once a month. I get my nails done regularly. That might seem superficial, but because these things help me feel good, they make me a better wife, mother, and leader.

I'm also exploring outsourcing more things at home, like cleaning and laundry. As a CEO, my time is very valuable. When I'm at home, I want to spend quality time with my daughter and husband. My parents taught me that it's OK to treat yourself to nice things and experiences as long as you do it in a financially responsible way. That means spending money to prioritize quality time with the people I love.