Ep. 042: From Apple to Apartments: Naeem Farokhnia’s Path To Real Estate Investing
Every entrepreneurial path is different, but few illustrate resilience and reinvention as clearly as Naeem Farokhnia’s. In a recent interview, Naeem shared how he transitioned from engineering at Apple to building and evolving a real estate business in one of the most challenging markets in the country—San Francisco. His story is one of calculated risk, hard-earned lessons, and an unwavering commitment to learning.
A Leap Into the Unknown
Naeem’s entrepreneurial mindset took shape long before he arrived in the United States 14 years ago. As an immigrant and former student-athlete, he learned early how to adapt, compete, and persist. After working as a design engineer at Apple, Naeem found himself surrounded by peers who were thinking beyond corporate careers. Rather than waiting for the “perfect” moment, he made the decision to start building something of his own.
“I didn’t know how to start or run a company,” Naeem shared, “but I was young enough to think—why not start now?”
From Engineering to Real Estate
That curiosity led Naeem through early entrepreneurial experiments—building websites, forming companies, and learning by doing. His academic journey took him from Iran to Kansas State University and Texas A&M, where he balanced athletics with rigorous coursework.
While living in San Francisco, Naeem identified an opportunity created by soaring housing costs. He launched a co-living business designed to make housing more accessible for students and lower-income tenants. Growth came quickly, bringing with it the realities of scaling—managing properties, hiring teams, navigating tenant needs, and operating in one of the most regulated housing markets in the country.
Learning the Hard Way
Rapid growth also meant hard lessons. Entering real estate without a full grasp of local regulations, Naeem encountered legal and operational challenges that tested both the business and his resolve.
“There’s a lot they don’t teach you as an engineer,” he reflected. A particularly difficult experience with a property owner and subsequent legal disputes became a turning point. Recognizing the need for guidance, Naeem sought mentorship and ultimately transitioned away from the co-living model toward a more traditional property management business.
Mentorship, Mindset, and Growth
By 2023, mentorship became central to Naeem’s evolution as an entrepreneur. Learning from experienced operators helped him refine his strategy, improve client selection, and develop essential sales and communication skills. He also began expanding into capital raising for larger multifamily projects.
Today, Naeem emphasizes the importance of mindset—knowing when to say no, when to “fire” the wrong clients, and how to build mental resilience in a demanding industry. “Profit matters,” he noted, “but continuous learning matters just as much.”
Giving Back and Looking Ahead
Naeem remains deeply involved in the Bay Area real estate community, hosting meetups, speaking at events, and sharing educational insights with newer investors. Guided by coaches and mentors, he continues to grow—living out his belief that improvement never stops, no matter your level of experience.
His journey is a reminder that success doesn’t come from having everything figured out at the start. It comes from taking action, learning quickly, and staying humble enough to pivot when needed.
