Today we’d like to introduce you to Zarni Tun.
Hi Zarni, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in a remote town in Myanmar. In 2009, I graduated from Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, and began my career as a software developer at Thought Digital Consultancy in Newcastle. After two years, I decided to return to Myanmar when the country began its political reforms and founded my own company, Zulu Alpha.
In 2017, I received a U.S. Green Card through my wife. The business continued to grow steadily until the COVID-19 pandemic slowed everything down. Then, following the military coup in February 2021, everything came to a halt. Fortunately, through the assistance of the U.S. Embassy, my family and I were able to leave Myanmar safely.
Hoping that my country would stabilize and hold elections within a couple of years, I began driving for Lyft to support my family. I’ve been doing it for three years now. During that time, my son Shane developed a deep passion for baseball, which motivated me to find a new, more meaningful direction — something sustainable that could create a better future for us both.
After exploring different business ideas, I realized that real estate media perfectly matched my skills, creativity, and background in technology. A close friend from Myanmar who had become an Uber driver and later earned a real estate license was struggling to make a living, which inspired me to take a different approach. Instead of mining, I chose to “sell the mining equipment” — to empower realtors by giving them the tools to succeed.
I launched my real estate media business in February 2021. The beginning was tough — building trust took time, and a few clients left along the way. But I kept improving, step by step — enhancing quality, listening carefully to realtor feedback, and refining every part of my workflow, from pre- to post-production. Over time, I built a system that truly delivers results.
Today, the listings I produce consistently rank among the top 10% on MLS, attracting strong visibility, higher buyer interest, and steady referrals from one agent to another. My philosophy is simple: show the house, not just the room. Every photo and video I create is designed to reveal the full beauty, space, and story of a home.
Ultimately, all this progress means more than just business success — it’s about helping my son become the best baseball player he can be, and fulfilling my lifelong dream of creating a place where people on the streets can rebuild their lives and recycle their potential into something new, stop the hunger and Plant the forest.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has never been a smooth road — it’s been filled with challenges every step of the way. In the beginning, even buying the necessary gear was difficult. Finding homes to practice shooting was another struggle. I started by visiting model homes just to practice and improve my skills, doing whatever I could to make it work.
Reaching potential clients wasn’t easy either. I made countless phone calls and sent messages through Instagram — 99 out of 100 were rejected, and the one who showed interest often didn’t even have a listing yet. Slowly, I began getting small jobs from new realtors, but the income wasn’t enough to sustain the business.
On top of that, rising tariffs and the DJI drone ban made things even harder, affecting how I operated and planned for the future. Despite all that, I kept pushing forward — improving bit by bit, saving to buy better equipment, and continuing to build trust in an industry where consistency and quality matter most.
Even now, I’m still working to expand my gear and recruit the right people, but every obstacle has taught me something valuable. Each challenge is another step toward growth, and I believe that perseverance will eventually turn every struggle into strength.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Next Reality. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I shoot pictures for Ryan and Ryan stated about me to Sofia.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Business is full of ups and downs, and the only way to get through tough times is through consistency — in studying, working, and improving every day. The most important lesson I’ve learned in life is this: you either change yourself, or you’ll be changed by others.
I realized this truth by watching my son’s progress in baseball. He started with no background or experience at all, yet he became one of the best players in his age group by doing one simple thing — being consistent. He didn’t wait for others to shape him into what he should be; he shaped himself through discipline, practice, and determination.
That mindset now drives me in my business and life — to keep learning, keep growing, and keep moving forward, no matter how many challenges come my way.
Pricing:
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Contact Info:
- Website: https://book.zulualpha.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zuluestatemedia/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZuluEstateMedia
Image Credits
Ryan Wire / Next Brokerage
