Homeless teen couch browsing for years now millionaire entrepreneur dwelling in luxurious
From rags to riches, Umar Punjabi’s tale is nothing short of inspiring. The 22-year-old influencer and trader, who boasts a million followers online, has opened up about his journey from homelessness to millionaire status, living it large in Dubai.
But life wasn’t always this luxurious for Umar. Raised by a single mum, he and his brother had a rough start, sofa surfing and even facing homelessness.
Determined to turn things around, Umar harnessed his knack for numbers to become a trading whizz. Now, he’s living the dream and making sure his family does too.
READ MORE:World’s tallest and shortest women meet for the first time ever in historic photoshoot
READ MORE: ‘Extra bank holiday’ in 2025 to mark major anniversary
Click here for the latest headlines from the Daily Star.
(Image: Jam Press/Umer Punjabi)
“For years, I clung onto the hope of creating a better life for myself and my family,” Umar shared, revealing the hardships they faced. “My mum tried her best, but we would bounce from door-to-door looking for shelter.”
He recalls the tough times: “We were homeless for a long time – often we had to rely on the kindness of family members or friends by crashing on sofas or in spare rooms.”
The emotional rollercoaster was intense.
“It was a vicious cycle and the emotional turmoil is very difficult to describe.”
Feeling isolated, Umar knew he had to break free. “I quickly realised that financial independence was the only way to escape and secure a future on my own terms.”
(Image: Jam Press/Umer Punjabi)
Umar, hailing from Bhiwandi, India, was on track to become a chartered accountant, chasing the dream of “financial stability and growth”. But the thought of being tied down post-graduation didn’t sit well with him.
He ditched school before bagging his qualifications, not keen on working under someone else. At 19, Umar’s number-crunching skills caught the eye of his uncle’s mate through his YouTube channel, leading to an invite to Dubai for a career chat – a move that changed his life.
He packed up and made Dubai his new home, saying: “Given my love for numbers, it was only natural for me to venture into trading.
“It gave me freedom and I was my own boss.
“It was lonely at times but I was making tons of money with just a simple internet connection.
“I am self-taught.
(Image: Jam Press/Umer Punjabi)
“At the start, I used money from my savings and my brother also kindly loaned me some of his savings.
“I also worked as a fitness coach on the side to push my capital up even further.
“I felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty about moving to Dubai but deep down, I knew it was the right step to transforming my life.
“Soon after arriving, I set up my own company.
Now, three years on, Umar’s the boss of 24 staff and his firm is all about “educating and empowering traders”. His quick business boom?
(Image: Jam Press/Umer Punjabi)
It’s all thanks to piling up capital from his trading wins and ploughing those profits back into his business.
Umar has hit the jackpot, not just in cash but in life goals. He shared his heartwarming story: “Supporting my mum and brother has always been my primary goal, and I’ve worked hard to ensure they never experience hardship again.
“My relationship with them has always been incredibly close, especially during the tough times.
“We’ve always shared a deep bond, supporting each other emotionally and practically, no matter what we were facing.”
His brother, Musa Punjabi, ditched dentistry to trade with him, showing it’s all in the family.
(Image: Jam Press/Umer Punjabi)
Umar’s not just flashing the cash; he’s on a mission to give back, saying: “In the next five years, I hope to help more people transform their lives through trading – but steering clear of get-rich-quick schemes.”
He’s all about the risks, learning, and right company, adding: “Now, my life is peaceful, driven by purpose and focused on continuous growth.”
He splurges on experiences and luxury, feeling blessed to provide for his family. “I feel a deep sense of gratitude for everything I’ve overcome,” he added.
And for those itching to follow suit, Umar drops some golden rules: Always be a student, listen more speak less. Always be a risk-taker.
Always say yes to meeting new people. Always keep self-reflecting and giving yourself feedback.
Make sure to always keep company with people who are more successful than you.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
