Salim Najjar

Salim Najjar is the co-founder of SOUND, an organic sparkling water brand that caters to Millennials and Gen Z consumers.1 Here's what we know about him:

Professional Background

Salim Najjar worked as a mechanical engineer at a nuclear power plant in Los Angeles before co-founding SOUND.1 He has a degree from Marist College.3

SOUND's Origin

Najjar founded SOUND with his colleague and friend Tommy Kelly in 2015.12 The idea for SOUND was born when Kelly experimented with carbonating tea using a SodaStream.1 Najjar, known for being health-conscious, was immediately impressed by the concept.1

Company Development

Initial Launch:: SOUND was originally launched in 2015 under the name SodTerra.1

Rebranding:: The company underwent several iterations in branding and packaging before settling on the name SOUND in March 2021.12

Funding:: As of 2021, SOUND had raised $3.25 million in funding.1

Personal Traits and Philosophies

Najjar is described as:

• A health enthusiast and "bio-hacker"1
• A daily meditator who believes in the connection between mental state and business success1
• First-generation Lebanese-American, which influenced some of SOUND's unique flavor profiles1

Business Approach

Najjar emphasizes:

• Learning through trial and error2
• Viewing failures as valuable lessons for informed decision-making2
• Maintaining a positive mindset and perspective in entrepreneurship1

SOUND's mission, according to Najjar, is to make healthy, unsweetened sparkling beverages affordable and accessible to a wide range of consumers, not just premium shoppers.2