Today we’d like to introduce you to Inara Ali.
Hi Inara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi, my name is Inara and I’m 14 years old. I’m a teen entrepreneur, real estate mogul in training 🏡, and future architect. I create content to help other teens (and even adults!) understand real estate, business, and big life topics in a fun and simple way. I love breaking down terms, sharing lessons I’ve learned from my parents’ projects, and showing what it’s like to grow up around development.
My parents are my biggest inspiration. I’ve learned so much just by watching them work and being part of their journey. One of my favorite early memories was when I was just 8 years old—I learned how to use rulers to scale out a drawing to help my family design their truck stop. I still remember how exciting it was to hand that drawing to the architect—and even more amazing when we built the real thing based on it! That’s the moment I fell in love with design and building.
Now, I’m working on my first duplex development project, which I’m hoping to start this summer. I’ve been helping plan everything from layout ideas to budgeting, and I’m excited (and a little nervous) to take what I’ve learned and actually do it myself. I know I’ll make mistakes, but that’s part of the journey—and part of what I love about real estate.
Outside of real estate and business, I’m a big fan of being outdoors. I love fresh air, long walks, and just spending time in nature—it helps me reset and stay inspired. I also play softball, which is one of my favorite ways to stay active, challenge myself, and be there for my team. Being on the field teaches me a lot about discipline, teamwork, and showing up—skills I use in life and business too!
I also love interviewing people who inspire me. One of my favorite interviews so far was with Sharron Melton from CW39 Houston. She was so kind, helpful, and full of great advice. Talking to her made me realize how powerful storytelling can be and how important it is to share what you know to help others.
My long-term goal is to become an architect, real estate developer, and entrepreneur. I want to design and build amazing spaces from the ground up, and also use my platform to help others understand how real estate works and why it matters. I believe you don’t have to wait to be “older” to get started—you can learn and grow at any age if you’re curious and willing to try.
At the end of every post or video, I say:
“I’m always here—and you got this!”
Because I want people to feel supported, just like I’ve been supported by my family and community.
You can follow my journey here:
Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @LiveWithInara
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I’m a teenager, so balancing everything can get really tough. Between school, keeping up my grades, creating content, learning about business and real estate, and now stepping into actual development—there are days it feels overwhelming. I’ve had to give up a lot of free time to stay focused, and sometimes I feel like I’m juggling too much at once.
But I’ve also learned that being relentless and staying locked in on my goals makes all the difference. I just keep reminding myself why I started, and that helps me push through the hard days. I know it’s going to take time, but I’m here for it. I’m committed to the long game.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve started early and stayed consistent. Not many 14-year-olds are learning real estate terms, working on development projects, and sharing that journey to help others understand it too. I’m proud that I’ve been able to take what I’ve learned from my parents and actually apply it—and now I’m getting ready to build my first duplex. That’s something I’ll never forget.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just want to do this for myself—I want to bring other teens along with me. I take complicated topics and break them down in ways people my age can understand. I want to be the person I wish I had when I first started learning about this stuff. I think starting young, staying motivated, and leading with kindness is what makes me different.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Honestly… I haven’t faced much of either yet—I’m only 14! I deal with obstacles on the daily like balancing school, learning new things, or dropping tile at a job site (which I guess could count as bad luck, lol).
But overall, I don’t really believe in waiting on luck. I believe in showing up, learning, and trying my best every day. That’s how progress happens. If “luck” shows up along the way, great—but I’m focused on effort over chance.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livewithinara
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/livewithinara/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@livewithinara?si=XazjOAnWsBxBFrAT
Image Credits
Photos by: Jeff Ali and Iman Ali
