Immigrant Heritage Month: Spotlight On Farouk Shami, The Inventor Of Chi Products For Hair
By: Udochi Esomonu/Arab America Contributing Writer
Farouk Shami is a Palestinian-American business man and the founder of the hair-care and spa products company, Farouk Systems, Inc. Farouk Systems, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is based in Houston, Texas. The company manufactures Chi and Biosilk shampoos and has secured an estimated revenue of more than $1 billion. As a hairdresser himself, Farouk founded this company as a platform to provide other hairdressers with the necessary high-quality equipment and technology.
Shami was born in Beit Ur al-Tahta, a village near Ramallah, Palestine. Shami spent most of his early life in Palestine. He immigrated to the United States in 1956 to attend a teacher training school. He arrived in the United States with a total of $71, which was given to him by his father and his fathers’ friends. Once he gained the opportunity to visit a hair salon, his life changed forever as he finally found his calling. As time progressed, Shami decided for himself that America would be his new home. Shami, to this day, embraces his identity as a Texan and as an American.
Due to his passion for Palestine, he became an active board member of the American Task Force on Palestine. The American Task Force on Palestine is an organization, founded in 2003, which advocated, for the sake of the United State’s national interest, to promote an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through the creation of a Palestinian state that will live alongside Israel in peace and security.
Shami has worked for years in the hair-care development field and has grown a deep love and appreciation for it. He is widely known for inventing the first ammonia-free hair color.
As stated by Shami, on his company’s website: “I began Farouk Systems based on a mission and a dream. My mission and dream were to provide my fellow hair artists with a safer workplace environment – free of harsh chemicals, advanced knowledge through education and new professional-only systems that could not be duplicated at home.” This is why Farouk Systems’ mission statement has always been and still is: Environment, Education, & Innovation.”
Shami, not only widely known as a businessman, delved into the political spotlight In 2009, when he announced his run for the Democratic nominee for governor of Texas for the 2010 governor election. While Shami didn’t win the election, he still remains an active member in the United States’ political environment today.
Farouk Systems, Inc. is committed to creating the finest hair care and skin care products that are environmentally friendly and adhere to general ethical standards. The company has employed over 2,000 employees worldwide and distributes its products to over 144 countries worldwide. It is Farouk’s consistent commitment to quality products that continue to aid in his company’s long-term success.
In honor of Immigrant Heritage Month, it is important to spotlight Farouk Shami and his accomplishments thus far.Many news publications, including his own company, have written on Shami, his upbringing, personal, and professional life.
To learn more about Farouk Shami and his company’s products, check out his website!
