Marine’s journey began at 15, when her mother gave her a book about living a purpose-driven life, a book that encouraged her to look deeper within herself. That moment planted the first seed of self-discovery. Four years later, when her mother passed away, she found herself re-reading the same book, but this time with tears in her eyes. She asked herself a question that would guide her forever:
“Why cry when your mother already gave you everything you need to live a purposeful life?”
From then on, she resolved to live not just for survival, but for purpose.
Becoming “Zola”: The Joy-Giver
Her nickname Zola was born from her school friends, who called her “the joy-giver” because she always brought smiles, laughter, and light to their group. That name stuck, and years later, it would brand not just her personality but her businesses.
After secondary school, she earned a scholarship to study Real Estate Management and Evaluation. At first, it did not feel like passion. She was not sure what she wanted. She only knew one thing: she hated the idea of working for someone else.
Early Entrepreneurial Attempts
Even before she found her footing in real estate, her entrepreneurial spirit was undeniable.
- Small Kitenge Bag Business: She began by selling handmade bags, testing the waters of commerce.
- Zola Travel & Tourism: She later launched a small company guiding tourists across Rwanda. Clients came through social media, but since she was still studying, she couldn’t fully commit.
Some ventures failed, others faded. But each was a step closer to something bigger.
The Turning Point: Thinking Beyond the Ordinary
By her second year at university, Ndisanze Marine began to see how she could turn her knowledge of real estate into a business. This realization led her to create Zola Real Estate The question was: how do I use my knowledge to build financial freedom?
She reached out to a mentor from LinkedIn, expecting him to hand her contacts and connections. Instead, he gave her questions that stretched her imagination:
- “What do you want to be recognized as in Rwanda and beyond?”
- “What else can you do with real estate beyond just land evaluation and bank jobs?”
That conversation shifted her mindset. For the first time, she began thinking outside the box. The answer was clear: create something of her own, something that positions her as a leader in the field.
That’s when Zola Real Estate was born.
Building Zola Real Estate
Unlike many who study real estate just to land safe jobs in land evaluation or banking, she envisioned a different path. She wanted to:
- Guide foreign investors and locals into safe, profitable property ownership.
- Offer property due diligence, ensuring clarity on land titles and legalities.
- Provide property management services that ease the burden for owners.
Her approach was simple yet powerful: listen first, advise with clarity, and build long-term trust.
But what truly sets her apart is the philosophy her mother instilled:
👉 “Use what you have to get what you want, and start as if you already have everything.”
This guiding principle shaped her boldness in stepping into the industry even before she had abundant resources.
The Mindset That Drives Her
When I asked her what mindset she needed to reach this point, she shared two powerful values:
- She promised herself never to be ordinary. Inspired by her mother’s words, she began her journey with the mindset of greatness. She believed that even with little, she could carry herself as if she already had everything she needed.
- She positioned herself as a guide, not just an agent.
Her goal is to position Rwanda as a trusted destination for real estate investment, and herself as the bridge between investors and safe, verified opportunities. Unlike many who focus only on sales, she chose to build her reputation on consultancy and guidance.
What Makes Her Unique
Marine’s work as a real estate consultant is a step-by-step process designed to protect her clients, especially foreigners and diaspora Rwandans, from costly mistakes.
- Investment Guidance: She begins by explaining the landscape of real estate in Rwanda, from commercial to residential properties, so that clients understand the system before making decisions.
- Connecting to Trusted Agents: Based on her guidance, she directs clients to real estate agents she trusts, ensuring they don’t fall into the hands of opportunists.
- Due Diligence: This is her strongest value-add. She digs deep into the property before a client commits, checking if the UPI address is valid, whether the land is under mortgage, or if there are hidden disputes. This prevents clients from buying properties with legal or financial problems.
- Land Transfer & Legal Review: She oversees the entire transfer process, working closely with lawyers to review every contract. This step protects clients from loopholes that could later cost them their property.
She explained why this matters so much:
“Imagine meeting five or ten cases that end up in court just because people didn’t know what they were buying. My work is to make sure clients never have to go through that.”
Her uniqueness lies in offering peace of mind. For a foreign investor or someone in the diaspora, this guidance is not just convenient, it’s essential. Even local buyers, she believes, would benefit from this process, since many do not fully understand the risks involved in land acquisition.
The Power of Personal Branding
One of her strongest beliefs and advice to fellow entrepreneurs is the importance of personal branding.
She often illustrates this with a simple example: “If Miss Ishimwe Naomie started a shop today, people would rush there not just because of the products, but because of her brand.”
For her, real estate is more than just property. It’s about trust, reputation, and positioning yourself as a credible authority.
Lessons for African Entrepreneurs
Her story embodies the entrepreneurial journey familiar to many Africans: starting small, facing failures, pivoting, and finally discovering a path that aligns with both passion and purpose.
She teaches that:
- Purpose is the foundation. It began with her mother’s book and continues to guide her.
- Failure is not the end. Selling bags and running a tourism company were stepping stones, not mistakes.
- Mindset is everything. When her mentor pushed her to think beyond traditional real estate roles, she built something unique.
- Personal branding is power. Your name can open doors long before your business does.
Conclusion: More Than Real Estate
Today, Zola Real Estate is more than just a company. It’s a reflection of resilience, mindset, and vision. It shows what happens when someone dares to combine knowledge, purpose, and personal branding.
Her journey proves that entrepreneurship in Africa is not just about money-making — it’s about building legacies, creating trust, and turning personal purpose into collective impact.
And at the heart of it all lies her mother’s timeless advice:
“Use what you have to get what you want, and start as if you already have everything.”
Thank you for taking a moment to read about Zola’s story. May her journey inspire you to pursue your dreams with purpose, resilience, and integrity
Wow! Thank you for this inspiration!🙌🏾