We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Thuraya Altai. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Thuraya below.

Thuraya, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes, I’ve earned a full-time living from my creative work—but it wasn’t like that from day one. My journey into content creation started more as a passion project. I was sharing my life, beauty routines, style, and thoughts online without thinking of it as a business. But over time, I noticed my content resonating, and brands started to notice.
One of my first big breaks came when I was added to PR lists for brands like YSL, Valentino, Armani Beauty, Prada, Lancôme, Mugler, and many other high-end names. That gave me credibility, but I was still working in real estate full-time and treating content as a side hustle. The turning point came when I realized how rare it was to see Arab women, especially those with backgrounds like mine, represented in this space. I started being more intentional with my brand—refining my aesthetic, posting consistently, and learning to myself. That’s when things began to shift.
Some major milestones were signing my first paid partnership, landing brand deals on my YouTube channel for several months, getting my first agency reach-out, launching my podcast, and collaborating with legacy brands through Instagram Reels. I also diversified my income through real estate investments, allowing me to reinvest in my creative business.
Could I have sped up the process? Probably. I would’ve treated it like a business sooner if I had known how important networking and media kits were. But in many ways, I think the slow build helped me deeply understand my audience and values, which is why my brand feels authentic today.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a content creator, real estate professional, and storyteller. I was born in Iraq and came to the U.S. as a refugee in my early teens. My journey has been anything but traditional, which is part of what makes my perspective unique. I first entered the real estate industry, where I built a name for myself, representing buyers, sellers, and investors in the highly competitive Houston market. Alongside that, I began sharing glimpses of my life, culture, beauty routines, and style on Instagram—and what started as a creative outlet slowly evolved into a full-fledged business.
Today, I work with high-end beauty, fashion, and lifestyle brands—both on long-form platforms like YouTube and through curated storytelling on Instagram Reels. I’ve collaborated with brands like YSL, Valentino, Prada, Mugler, Lancôme, Armani Beauty, and many others. I also co-host the No For Real podcast, where we dive into raw and relevant conversations around identity, ambition, and womanhood.
I see my work as more than just content—it’s representation. I’m proud to be among the few Arab women in the U.S. building a platform in this space. Through my presence, I hope to inspire other first-generation creatives, especially women, to take up space unapologetically. What sets me apart is my ability to blend storytelling, luxury aesthetics, and cultural authenticity in an aspirational and relatable way.
Whether helping clients sell their homes, building a brand campaign from scratch, or just sharing a quiet moment of reflection online—I always lead with intention. I want people to know that my brand is built on real experience, resilience, and a deep respect for where I come from.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being creative is the connection it creates—especially with people who feel unseen or underrepresented. I’ve had women message me saying, “I’ve never seen someone who looks like me in this space,” which means everything. As someone who comes from a refugee background and navigated industries where I didn’t always see myself reflected, it’s powerful to be able to tell stories, share beauty, and show possibility through my lens.
It’s also incredibly fulfilling to turn ideas into something tangible—whether that’s a brand campaign, a podcast episode, or a piece of content that sparks a conversation. Creativity is a form of freedom for me. It’s where I get to blend my personal experiences, culture, and style into something meaningful. And when that resonates with someone else? That’s the magic.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my audience on social media wasn’t something that happened overnight—it was a slow, intentional process rooted in simply sharing who I am. I didn’t follow a strict formula or try to copy what was trending. Instead, I focused on creating content that felt true to me: my culture, my beauty routines, my thoughts as a first-gen Arab woman navigating multiple industries, and my style. I think people connected with that authenticity.
Of course, trends can be fun and fabulous for exposure, and I’ll join them when they align with my brand—but I’ve learned that what builds community is showing up with uniquely your content. The moments where I’m the most vulnerable or share something specific to my experience are usually the ones that resonate the most. People are drawn to realness, not just aesthetics.
If you’re starting, my biggest advice is: don’t just try to be seen; try to be remembered. That means being mindful about what you’re putting out. What story are you telling? What makes your voice or experience special? The truth is, anyone can follow trends, but no one else can be you. That’s your power. Lean into it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thurayaaltai
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/thuraya.altai
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thuraya-a-317589bb
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThurayaAltai
• Other: https://anchor.fm/noforrealpod