In this power issue, cover star Ebraheem Al Samadi opens up exclusively to Grazia International’s Beauty Editor, Kaniz Ali. From a modest start to the timeless beauty of Forever Rose, Ebraheem Al Samadi’s journey blooms with intention and grace. In a fleeting world, he shows that true luxury is born of meaning, not momentary wealth.
It begins with a rose. Not just any rose, but one that never wilts—an enduring bloom that symbolizes the permanence
of memory, love, and legacy. It’s no coincidence that Ebraheem Al Samadi, CEO of Forever Rose and an emblem of visionary entrepreneurship in the Middle East, has built a business empire from something so delicate, so symbolic. For Ebraheem, everything is intentional. Every petal, every step, every word.
Born in Kuwait to a Kuwaiti father and an American mother, Ebraheem’s story is rooted in a duality that would later shape his worldview—East meets West, tradition meets modernity, commerce meets compassion. “I was raised with the values of both worlds,” he reflects and tells international beauty editor Kaniz, his voice calm, relaxed. “From my Arab heritage, I inherited discipline and respect. From my American roots, I learned innovation and the freedom to dream.”
His earliest memories are steeped in challenge. After his parents separated, Ebraheem moved to the United States with his mother. They had little—less than little, really. “We were living in a one-bedroom apartment and trying to make ends meet” he recalls. There is no bitterness in his voice—only reverence. “She never let me see her cry. My mother is the strongest person I know.”
Ebraheem remembers the silence of their modest home. “Even as a child, I knew we were building something,” he says. “My mother worked with dignity, and I watched, learning every moment.”
It is this indomitable figure—his mother— who not only raised Ebraheem, but ignited in him the fire to succeed. “I always say, my first investor wasn’t a bank. It was my mother’s prayers.” With no formal business education at the time, a teenage Ebraheem began selling items on eBay at 14, eventually becoming a PowerSeller. “My business plan was survival,” he laughs, with the humility of a man who remembers his beginnings not with shame but pride.
By 18, he had built his first million-dollar business. Still, the pull of the Middle East never left him. “I wanted to reconnect with my roots. Dubai was—and still is—the land of opportunity,” he says. He returned with a suitcase full of dreams and a heart full of conviction. Soon, he launched several ventures, including the beloved floral concept Forever Rose, a brand that today graces the homes of royals, celebrities, and romantics across the globe.
Forever Rose is more than a business—it’s a manifestation of Ebraheem’s philosophy: beauty should last, love should be preserved, and storytelling should be built into the very fabric of a brand. “The flower doesn’t die, just like love shouldn’t die. That’s the message,” he says with a glint in his eyes. Every Forever Rose arrangement is curated with precision, inspired by the European gardens he once visited as a child and the grandeur of Arabian art.
As his brand grew, so did the expectations. But success didn’t come without sacrifice. The path, though laced with petals, also had thorns. “There were nights I didn’t sleep. Days I didn’t eat. There’s a lot the
world doesn’t see,” he says. Ebraheem speaks candidly about the pressures of representing his culture, his faith, and himself on a global stage. “There’s a responsibility that comes with visibility. People see the luxury, but they don’t see the late nights, the losses, the moments of doubt. I’ve been through it all.”
His spirituality—deeply personal, quietly profound—is the compass that has guided him through both triumph and turbulence. “Faith grounds me. It reminds me that nothing is truly mine—it’s all a gift, a trust.” He begins each day in prayer and reflection, grounding himself in gratitude. These aren’t performative gestures— they’re rituals embedded in his life’s rhythm. “Even at my busiest, I make time for prayer. It resets me.”
Despite his public image—now elevated further through his appearance on Dubai Bling—Ebraheem remains remarkably private. “Fame is temporary. Legacy is eternal,” he says. His Instagram feed may dazzle, but behind every image is a message, a mission. “I don’t just want to build a brand. I want to inspire a generation.”
Bling and Beyond – The Netflix Effect
Ebraheem Al Samadi didn’t just step
into the reality TV world—he strutted in, Forever Rose in hand, and a camera-ready smile. When Netflix came calling with Dubai Bling, Ebraheem saw the perfect chance to showcase his business to a global audience, but he had a few ground rules.
“So, they first pitched me Dubai Life, and I was all like, ‘Ooooh, a show about cool, successful business moguls? I’m in, let’s gooo!’” he says, eyes twinkling like he’s about to spill the juiciest secret ever. “Then out of nowhere, they hit me with the name change to Dubai Bling, and I’m thinking, ‘Wait… am I signing up for a glam reality drama serial now? Popcorn ready!’” He bursts out laughing, loving every bit of the chaos.
But Ebraheem’s no stranger to taking risks. “I told them, listen, you can film me, but my businesses need to be part of the story. You want the hustle, the roses, the real behind-the-scenes grind? Then we have a show,” he says, flashing that confident, camera-ready grin. And it paid off. The show catapulted Forever Rose
from a beloved luxury brand to a global sensation, turning Ebraheem into a household name almost overnight.
And while the show might have plenty of drama, Ebraheem keeps his priorities straight. “Drama? I’m too busy building an empire for that… okay, maybe just a little drama,” he chuckles.
But don’t mistake his flair for theatrics as a distraction from his success. “You can call me dramatic, but at least I’m dramatically successful,” he adds with a playful wink, leaning back like a man who knows exactly what he’s built. His relationship with his mother remains the emotional core of his story. “Everything I am, I owe to her. She’s not just my mother—she’s my mentor, my muse, my moral compass.”
That reverence extends to his team. “I believe in building a company culture where people feel valued and empowered,” he says. His companies are known for their familial ethos, an extension of the values instilled in him from a young age. “You can’t build something lasting if it’s not rooted in love.”
Today, with Forever Rose in places like UAE and Qatar, and a growing portfolio of businesses including Forever Oud, Ebraheem is building more than wealth—he’s building a legacy. Each storefront, each scent, each experience is touched by his hand and his heart.
But when asked what he wants to be remembered for, his answer is immediate: “Kindness. If people say, ‘He helped me,’ or ‘He made me feel seen,’ then I’ve succeeded.” Looking to the future, he envisions launching a mentorship initiative for young entrepreneurs, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds. “No one gave me a map.
I had to draw mine in the dark. I want to hand others a flashlight. When you grow up poor, no one teaches you
how to dream. I want to be that voice, that example. I want to say: ‘Look, I was you. And now, I’m here.’”
His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is practical, but soul- centered. “Don’t just chase money. Chase meaning. Ask yourself: ‘Would I still do this if no one clapped?’ If the answer is yes, that’s purpose.”
ROOTED IN LEGACY
But for all the glitz and glam, Ebraheem keeps it real. “Fame is fun, but legacy? That’s forever,” he says, the sincerity cutting through his playful tone. “I’m not just chasing likes—I’m chasing impact.”
Legacy is about more than business for Al Samadi.
“My name will fade. The brands might shift. But if I’m remembered for lifting people up—for being kind, generous, honest—that’s forever. That’s my Forever Rose.”
In a world that often celebrates the loudest voice in the room, Ebraheem Al Samadi’s strength lies in his quiet conviction. He doesn’t chase trends; he honors tradition. He doesn’t posture; he prays. His empire may be built on roses, but its roots are anchored in something far deeper: faith, family, and the unshakeable belief that beauty— when paired with purpose—can truly change the world. And in that belief, there is no wilt. Only bloom.
CEO / Publisher: ZAHRAA SAIFULLAH
Managing Editor: NASHMIA AMIR BUTT
Creative Director: KANIZ ALI
Photography: JAVED MOHAMMED
Ebraheem’s Creative Styling: KANIZ ALI
Ebraheem’s Mum’s Make Up: KANIZ ALI
Assisted: IBRAHIM EKBAL
Location: FORVER ROSE CAFÉ, DUBAI UAE
Interview: KANIZ ALI
Editorial Associate: SIBGHA BATOOL
