Dubai, a city of dreams, has witnessed countless rags-to-riches tales. Among them is the inspiring journey of Qurat Ul Ain, Co-founder and Chairperson of DRE, whose transformation from selling ice cream to leading a multi-billion dirham real estate company is truly remarkable. Her story, recently featured in the Khaleej Times, highlights her incredible achievements and the path she has taken to success.
Humble Beginnings
Qurat Ul Ain hails from a middle-class family in India. She moved to the UAE 20 years ago to pursue her education, funding her tuition by selling ice cream at Dh20 per hour in a supermarket in Sharjah. Reflecting on those days, she said, "My parents were able to afford my university tuition, but they couldn’t afford a big pocket of money. So, I decided to scout for a job. I found a job selling ice cream for Dh20 per hour, making around Dh2,000-Dh2,500, which was quite a big amount at that time."
Rising Through Sales
Her knack for sales soon led her to a hospitality marketing firm, where she sold privilege cards for hotels. Her success was evident, as she quickly began earning around Dh20,000 a month. "I started doing very well in selling cards and used to make around Dh5,000-Dh6,000 a month. Once I graduated, I got an offer from the same company, and my basic monthly salary was raised to Dh9,000 plus commission in 2004-2005."
Entering Real Estate
Qurat's real estate journey began with her uncle's invitation to join his firm in Dubai. Despite the financial crisis of 2008, which caused significant losses, Qurat and her brother Mudasir Wani took over the business and shifted their focus to leasing properties in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
The turning point in Qurat's career came when she met Saudi billionaire Abdul Latif Jameel, who sought commercial space in Dubai. The successful deal of acquiring 14 floors in a building for Jameel's business marked a significant milestone. This success opened doors to more opportunities and clients, leading to exponential growth for DRE.
Achieving Milestones
Qurat’s hard work and dedication have led to significant milestones for DRE. The company moved from a small office in Karama to a more prominent location in Business Bay. In 2023 alone, DRE sold properties worth over Dh5 billion. Today, DRE is among the top 10 agencies for most developers in Dubai and employs around 150 people.
"We believe in people and culture. We started with three people, and now the company employs around 150 people. Around ten property companies have been formed from DRE by its former employees. So I’m thrilled we taught them well, and they would be independent," Qurat proudly shared.
Overcoming Challenges
Qurat acknowledges the challenges female entrepreneurs face, especially in a male-dominated society. However, she credits the supportive environment of Dubai and its government for providing a safe and conducive space for women to thrive. Despite the hurdles, her resilience and hard work have been key to her success.
A Legacy of Success
Under Qurat's leadership, DRE has become one of the top 10 agencies for major developers in Dubai. The company, which started with just three people, now employs around 150 individuals. Moreover, DRE has nurtured talent, leading to the formation of around ten property companies by former employees.
Recently, DRE signed a contract to be the exclusive sales agent for a Dh2.5 billion project, further cementing its position in the real estate market.
At DRE, we are immensely proud of our co-founder and chairperson, Ms. Qurat Ul Ain, and her extraordinary achievements. Her journey from selling ice cream to overseeing billion-dirham transactions is a testament to her resilience and exceptional business acumen. Her story continues to inspire us and many others in Dubai and beyond.
