What made Years ago, Karadan Sulaiman dreamed of owning just five cents of land. Today, he owns one of the largest land banks in the entire state of Kerala. Back then, he had to sell his wife’s gold to achieve that modest dream. Today, he handles land deals worth hundreds of crores for the who’s who of India’s business world—including several billionaires. He now travels and shares podiums with names like M.A. Yusuf Ali, Ravi Pillai, Azad Moopen, and Adani. Yet on Sundays, he returns to his home village to enjoy a simple breakfast with his schoolmates—many of whom are humble peasants living hand to mouth. But it’s in this simplicity that he finds joy and the energy to close his next million-dollar deal.

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Brand Swamy and Agent of Change have followed his journey for the past few years, since their first meeting with Karadan Sulaiman nearly a decade ago. Back then, he was just taking his first steps to build his brand—Karadan Lands, now a benchmark name among real estate dealers in the country.

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His story, however, began with a simple location shift. He says it was a personal decision—made for the sake of his children’s education. When he moved from Edakkad to Manjeri, a more commercially active area, his environment changed, and so did his appetite for business. That’s where the journey began—one that now spans across India and the Middle East.

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“I want to sell some land to Facebook’s CEO.”

What do you want to do next? we asked him. His answer revealed the scope of his vision: “I want to sell at least five cents of land to Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg,” he said. Not a small goal. But certainly achievable for an imaginative and ambitious real estate dealer.

Lessons: Think big – He doesn’t want to play small. He aims to engage with global icons, and he’s already doing that with India’s elite, like the Adanis. Dare to dream – Who else would say that from an office in Calicut? Stay focused – He dreams only within his domain: land. Though he’s scaled across India and abroad, he still wants to do more in what he loves—selling land.

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“I wanted to meet Adani.”

Back in 2005, meeting Adani felt like an impossible dream for a small-town real estate dealer. But he didn’t give up. He hired a smart, charismatic secretary—formerly an air hostess. He waited in the lounge as Adani exited a meeting, and she approached him with polished corporate etiquette. They sat down for a conversation, and the relationship began instantly. Recently, with Adani acquiring operational rights to Vizhinjam Port, Karadan opened an office in Trivandrum to support the region’s real estate growth.

Lessons: If there is a will, there is a way – Reminds us of Paulo Coelho: “When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.” Hire the right resource – Many fails here. Hiring the right person at the right time was one of his best decisions—like sealing a lucrative land deal. Invest in relationships – He didn’t just get an opening with Asia’s richest man—he built on it. He nurtures relationships with time and effort, and it pays back.

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“I stopped doing business.”

What’s your success formula? brand Swamy asked. “I stopped chasing business,” he replied. “I started chasing the fun in doing business.” Recently, they took a trip to Ooty for a land deal. But it felt more like a vacation. They enjoyed the roads, the people, the food—and even went trekking. When they saw the property, they knew it was worth investing in. Then they proceeded to Chennai—music playing, enjoying the journey. Business pressure and uncertainty were present, but never allowed to disturb their peace of mind.

Lessons: Break the work-life balance myth – He didn’t divide work and life. He stitched them together into one big, meaningful flow. Business is not always serious – He enjoys business like an art form. This mindset brings him into a state of “flow”—a term from psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, meaning complete immersion and joy in an activity.

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“Sorry kids, I don’t give you anything.”

Why not? Brand Swamy asked. “Why should I?” he replied. “If they want something, let them work for it. I’m not living my life for the next generation. If anything is left over, they can have it. But I won’t sacrifice my present for an unpredictable future.”

Lessons: Live in the present – A practice often preached by monks, but rarely followed by the common man. He keeps life unburdened, free from the weight of generational pressure. No excuses for failure – When you work for yourself, you accept full responsibility. No one else to blame. Fewer excuses mean better results.

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“I have a simple formula to overcome crisis.”

He told Brand Swamy this with a smile: “Just double your work.” They had invested heavily in a high-profile project that collapsed due to mismanagement. They lost a large sum. His response? Work overtime. Push harder. And it paid off.

Lessons: Double the work in a crisis – Simple, actionable, and effective.

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“I am driven by my past—not always the future.”

Every Sunday, he returns to his village for breakfast with childhood friends. They come in all forms: lunatics, beggars, daily wage workers, teachers, and engineers. They sit at the same table and laugh over breakfast. This ritual gives him strength. He’s also begun walking through neighbourhoods in any new place he visits—meeting locals and learning about their culture.

Lessons: Balance your negative bias – The human brain is wired to overemphasize failure. Spending time with old friends gives him perspective, reminding him how far he’s come. It’s a quiet motivation, a unique way to recharge. Every leader needs something like this.