Today we’d like to introduce you to Fuje Ara.
Hi Fuje, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a first-generation Bangladeshi-American woman, born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. My parents came to the United States as immigrants, working tirelessly to build a better life for me and my 5 siblings. They showed my siblings and me what hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance can achieve in America , lessons that continue to guide every aspect of my personal and professional life.
After meeting my husband Rumi, I relocated to Florida , a move that ultimately opened the door to a career I never expected, but one that has defined who I am today.
Early in my career, I spent two years in corporate America, but after having my son, I began craving more . More flexibility, more autonomy, and more control over my own success. Around that time, my father-in-law, a seasoned real estate owner and developer, invited me to join the family business. He encouraged me to get my real estate license and start managing transactions and assets within the family portfolio.
That invitation changed everything. I had the privilege of learning directly from him, gaining exposure to a wide range of asset classes – from retail shopping centers and gas stations to industrial parks and residential rentals. Over the years, I managed more than $70 million in assets, an experience that was both challenging and empowering. It sparked my passion for commercial real estate and solidified my belief that this was the path I was meant to pursue.
Today, I am proud to be part of SVN Commercial Partners in Boca Raton, where I co-lead The Lotus Group alongside my partner, Saira Marin. Together, we specialize in investment sales, leasing, and national tenant representation, guiding clients through site selection and strategic expansion. In 2025 alone, our team closed more than $10 million in transactions and currently represents over a dozen national tenants as they grow their footprint across Florida and beyond.
Our philosophy is simple: we prioritize people over profit. At The Lotus Group, success isn’t measured solely by transaction volume, but by the depth of the relationships we build and the trust we earn as long-term advisors.
Beyond real estate, I’m deeply passionate about community impact. I serve on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Committee and am an active member of the Bangladeshi Association of Southwest Florida. Representation and giving back to the communities that shaped me are deeply personal values I carry into every area of my life.
At the heart of everything I do is a singular mission, to create a positive impact wherever I go, in every space I enter, and with every person I meet. For me, success is not just about building wealth or closing deals; it’s about building legacy, honoring sacrifice, and leading with purpose.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve never met a successful person whose journey was completely smooth. The truth is, growth often comes from the bumps along the way. For me, my family, and my business partner, the path has been anything but easy, but every challenge has shaped who we are today.
Three years into my commercial real estate career, my father-in-law , who had been both a mentor and guiding force in my professional journey became very ill and passed away from heart failure within just a few months. It was an incredibly painful time for our family. My husband, as the eldest son, had to step up to support his mother and sister, while we were also raising our young son and managing our own growing businesses. Together, we suddenly found ourselves stepping into my father-in-law’s shoes and carrying the responsibility of running the family enterprise.
At the same time, my business partner and I were both managing multiple full-time roles. In addition to being real estate advisors, I was helping operate our family businesses alongside my husband, while my partner served as the Director of Operations at our firm. Achieving work-life balance has been one of our biggest ongoing challenges , learning to navigate motherhood, marriage, leadership, and entrepreneurship all at once.
And just this past April, I welcomed a beautiful baby girl into our family. Balancing two children, two businesses, and two demanding careers has been its own unique journey , one that continues to test my strength, deepen my purpose, and remind me that every season of life brings both challenge and growth.
Through it all, I’ve learned that resilience is built in the moments when things feel impossible , and that grace, faith, and perseverance can turn even the hardest chapters into your greatest sources of strength.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As I mentioned earlier, my partner Saira and I proudly co-lead The Lotus Group of SVN, an all-woman commercial real estate team specializing in investment sales, leasing, and national tenant representation.
I’m grateful to bring a unique perspective to our work. Our real estate development and investment background, combined with the collaborative environment Saira and I have cultivated, allows us to truly serve our clients across the full spectrum of commercial real estate.
What sets us apart is not just our expertise , it’s our ability to connect. We’ve built strong relationships across every facet of the industry, from lending and environmental reporting to surveying, property management, inspections, and contracting, just to name a few. These partnerships empower us to deliver comprehensive, solution-oriented guidance to every client, at every stage.
As an all-woman, multilingual team fluent in Bengali and Spanish, we’re proud to bridge cultural and language gaps that often exist in this industry allowing us to serve underrepresented markets and ensure that all investors and business owners have access to trusted, knowledgeable representation.
Above all, we lead with heart. Our philosophy is simple: relationships over transactions. That’s the foundation of our success and the reason our clients trust us to help shape their growth stories.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Podcast: Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
Books: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
80/20 Principle by Richard Koch
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Contact Info:
- Website: https://svncp.com/advisors/?brokerId=fuje.ara%40svn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myadvisorfuje/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fujehatara
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/creladies/
