Excellence Awards 2025: Nooshin Mortazavi builds a real estate success story

Nooshin Mortazavi, CEO of Candle Real Estate, embodies what it means to turn passion, perseverance, and people-first values into a thriving business. Recognised with the Best Start-Up of the Year in real estate at Excellence Awards 2025, her journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and honesty.

Originally from Canada, Nooshin moved to Dubai in 2010 with her two teenage children. She chose to take time off to raise and support them through their university years before re-entering the workforce. “I decided it was time to do something for myself,” she says. A friend introduced her to the real estate industry, and the spark was immediate. “I joined his agency and discovered I truly loved it—it became my passion.”

She quickly rose to the top as a leading agent in the company, closing several major deals. But it wasn’t long before she took the leap to launch her own firm, Candle Real Estate. “Two years ago, I started my own company,” she recalls. “The key to my success has been hard work, honesty, and genuinely caring for every client—whether they’re buying a studio or a mansion.”

This people-centred approach is what Nooshin considers her greatest success. “I’ve sold two full buildings, a full floor, and plots in Palm Jebel Ali,” she says. “But to me, the real achievement is that people trust me. They refer me to their friends and family. That kind of trust—you can’t buy it with money.”

In a competitive and fast-paced market like Dubai’s, challenges are constant. “Every day brings a new challenge,” she says. “But those challenges are what help you grow. They make you who you are.”

Nooshin's story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about big deals—it’s about building relationships, staying authentic, and rising above the noise with integrity. “If you work hard, stay honest, and care about others—not just yourself—you can succeed. That’s the real formula.”