Zani Karimi
Zani Karimi is a Kurdish-Swedish entrepreneur and influential business leader. Originally from the Kurdish region of Iran, she moved to Sweden as a refugee in 1992 and grew up as the eldest of three siblings. Her journey into the business world began early; she started working at 13, earning 2 euros per hour, and quickly developed her street smarts, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Over the years, Zani pursued higher education, earning a degree in real estate and another in human resources from Swedish universities. At just 23, her leadership and dedication were recognized when she received a diploma for young leadership from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, awarded by the Royal King Foundation. Her passion for business and community involvement also saw her actively participating in labor market debates, where she became a recognized expert and provided training for government officials.
Throughout her career, Zani has successfully launched and managed multiple startups, particularly in staffing and recruitment. Her achievements include being nominated for Recruiter of the Year in Sweden and selling parts of her companies to major investors. Her journey from refugee to celebrated businesswoman showcases her remarkable ability to adapt, innovate, and inspire growth in people and business.
In 2021, Zani married her husband, Sam, and decided to move to Marbella one week after their wedding in April. For the first time in Marbella, she started her career in one of the real estate firms and quickly became one of the top brokers in the region, achieving record-breaking sales. She soon gained recognition as a trusted real estate advisor for Swedish celebrities, high-profile football players, big investors, and investment funds. Zani even participated in several TV shows, further solidifying her position in the industry.
With a strong background and a loyal network, Zani realized her ultimate passion: helping people worldwide make profitable real estate investments. With her husband, Sam—an active investor and developer in Dubai and Marbella—she founded her real estate agency, Avida Estate. Combining their expertise and vision, Avida Estate is dedicated to providing world-class service and tailored investment strategies, helping clients maximize their potential in the dynamic real estate market.
Zani is fluent in Swedish, English, Kurdish, and Persian, enabling her to connect with many clients and build meaningful relationships across cultures.
