Pozzo was born out of an obsession with concrete. The name is short for 'Pozzolan' - a material with little strength on its own, but one that becomes remarkably strong when bound with cement. It's a fitting name for a business built on collaboration: Ali believes in building with intention and creating narrative-driven work alongside his clients, not for them.

Ali is a carpenter and builder based in Toronto. His journey into the trades started with a simple goal: build rad shit to skate. He left a desk job in Vancouver for concrete formwork and framing, and in 2017, landed a role with the world-renowned Evergreen Skateparks, spending three and a half years traveling the U.S. to build parks for municipalities, big and small. It was there he first got hands-on with pozzolans like fly ash, used in shotcrete.

After years on the road, Ali followed his heart to Detroit, partnering with friend and builder Kevin Boyd at Marigold Construction to renovate old homes throughout the pandemic. It was there his love for working with his hands deepened into a new calling: building from scratch.

Landing in Toronto, Ali fell back in love with concrete - this time as countertops, architectural elements, and furniture. In 2023, he began construction on Belle Isle, a beloved East-End establishment he co-owns alongside a talented group of partners. Today, Ali builds skateparks when the opportunity arises, takes on residential and commercial renovations, and welcomes custom furniture commissions.