From Street Vendor to Real Estate Tycoon: The Inspiring Journey of Kabir Joshi

Kabir Joshi has undergone an extraordinary transformation, from selling perfumes on the streets of the US to experiencing a near-death event that left him permanently paralyzed in his right hand, and finally, to becoming the CEO of a major real estate development and investment company in the UAE.

He now advises on property transactions worth Dh1.5 billion.

“Dubai runs in my blood now. I can’t dream of going back and living anywhere else – not even my home country,” said Joshi, the founder and CEO of Vantage Capital and Vantage Properties.

He is one of thousands of UAE residents who have made significant impacts in their fields after moving to Dubai. “Dubai has provided me with opportunities that no other country could have. I truly believe that,” Joshi told Khaleej Times in an interview.

Early Life and Challenges

Born into a middle-class family, Joshi’s upbringing was shaped by his father’s military career, which required frequent relocations. “Every 13-14 months, we moved to a different city, so you have to leave your friends and make new friends,” he recalled.

Joshi migrated to the US at a young age and joined the University of Central Florida. However, during a visit to India, he met with a severe accident that paralyzed his right arm. He underwent multiple surgeries and treatments, completing his degree remotely from Punjab, India.

Struggles in the US

Upon returning to the US, Joshi faced the harsh reality that his degree held little value. With limited options, he began selling perfumes in a Chicago parking lot. Fearing legal trouble due to the lack of a permit, he moved to Washington DC, where he found a job at a call center, which eventually led to a position with the Federal Emergency Management Authority.

Joshi’s introduction to real estate began with underwriting flood insurance for the sector, followed by a few brokerage deals. “This gave me the excitement of real estate,” he said. A visit to a Dubai property show in New York in 2003 inspired him to explore opportunities in the booming Dubai market.

Entering the Dubai Market

In 2004, while returning to the US after his wedding in India, Joshi stopped in Dubai. He landed a job with Dubai Holding’s sales team, immersing himself in the city’s property market. “I was involved in selling properties to clients from all over the world,” he said.

In 2019, after Noor Bank was acquired by Dubai Islamic Bank, Joshi launched Vantage Capital Advisory, focusing on real estate advisory for family offices and financial institutions. “That was my last corporate gig. I was the head of real estate at Noor Bank,” he explained.

Launching Vantage Properties

In 2023, Joshi launched Vantage Properties, currently overseeing multiple developments with a team of 12, which he plans to double soon. “We’ve about Dh370 million worth of inventory under development and a few plots under acquisition which will take company valuation above Dh1 billion. We are growing quite quickly,” he noted.

Turning Points

Joshi identifies several turning points in his life, both personal and professional. His accident in India was a major personal turning point. “The biggest fear for people is how they’re going to get things rolling. When I started the journey, the biggest comfort was that I had been through a near-death experience. God saved me. This gave me a lot of confidence,” he said.

Professionally, his role at Noor Bank provided a new perspective on real estate. “Banks don’t view real estate necessarily as an opportunity. They sometimes viewed it as a liability, which completely changed my perception,” he said. This understanding equipped him to start his own development and advisory companies with a balanced approach to risk.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

A passionate rider and golfer who loves reading, Joshi advises brokers and young entrepreneurs to focus and persevere in their careers and businesses. “The only way to grow is to have focus and perseverance,” he emphasized.