Soma Magazine Inc - San Francisco, California

forever7resh

Ali Ghanbarian, the editor in chief of Soma Magazine, shows unmistakable signs of narcissistic and unhinged behavior. It is strongly advised to steer clear of any interaction with him.

During a networking encounter regarding my business, he urged me to visit him in San Francisco, causing me to use valuable time from New York for the visit.

However, the initial encounter was a red flag. Ghanbarian monopolized the conversation for two hours, incessantly boasting about himself, even dubbing himself a "legend," leaving no room for me to contribute.

Furthermore, he made several racist remarks during our meeting

Despite being a follower of the magazine, I maintained communication with him.

However, the situation took a disturbing turn when he began disparaging my projects, deeming them unpromising.

At this point, I chose to quietly sever ties with him.

After my disassociation, he sent me a hostile message, hurling insults and baseless accusations of exploiting his contacts, despite my never reaching out to anyone in his network.

Simply, Ali is not only unhinged but also unsettlingly creepy. These accounts are factual.

Yusuf Onder

Ali never learned to appreciate and engage with individuals who hold different perspectives. Instead, he becomes defensive when confronted with unique personalities or opinions, displaying a somewhat narcissistic approach to handling situations. Despite his age and life experiences, he still behaves in a manner akin to a six-month-old child. In any case, if you wish to avoid disrespect and having your voice dismissed outright, he will quickly shut you down. The world he used to navigate has evolved significantly; we are now in the 21st century, where one must adapt to the times. If anyone is considering interning or working with him, it's advisable to steer clear and invest your valuable time in more rewarding activities, such as enjoying a cup of coffee in the park, which will undoubtedly yield greater benefits.

Kate Geneviève Schroeder

SOMA Magazine is a true gem! It's simplicity and raw authenticity captures the essence of what art and culture is, in all it's magnificent forms and variations. You will not find another publication out there like it. Ali's energy and passion is undeniable. He is a true advocate - kind, bright, and eager to help. Thank you Ali, for your dedication and contributions to the Arts!

S Dev

The founder / editor-in-chief is extremely unprofessional, rude and abusive.

He contacted our firm for services then responded with insults when we replied (see photo).

This is not a one-time occurrence — multiple reviews (dating 15+ years back) across Glassdoor, Google & Yelp attest to his unpredictable temperament & frequently offensive correspondence. This kind of behavior has no place in the industry.

Shannon Tanner

This magazine is legendary in scope of its great, visionary content and incredible photography. Publisher Ali Ghanbarian is an utter gem in the heart of San Francisco and beyond, promoting lesser-known talent as well as a strong voice for women and respectable female role models. Perfection!

Eddy De Leon

SOMA Magazine and it's founder Ali Ghanbarian have a great eye for talent--and this gem of a magazine oozes strong editorial content.
SOMA magazine has the freshest avant garde content and that is due in great part to how Ali is in tune with culture and high fashion.

beverly roberts

A beautiful magazine always full of interesting spreads and stories. A great mix of art, culture, music, fashion, film and lifestyle. A modern, classy, and sleek aesthetic overall.

Jonathan Harris

Enjoy the editorial cover detail but could use more substance on new and upcoming developments in fashion/ culture/ people/ etc.