IT Family: Admet and Zarina Akhter

Admet Akhter, 29 years old, Singapore, Founder and Partner of Akhter Studios IT Holding, Leader and CEO of Introdex startup, Forbes 30 under 30, @admet_akhter

Zarina Akhter, 24 years old, Singapore, Founder of Designation lowcode studio, @zarineyah

About Us

Admet and Zarina. We met via social media before the pandemic in February 2020. Everything happened quickly: we started dating in March, and a proposal was made on June 3.

We spent the lockdown together in Almaty, and in 2023 we moved to Singapore.

Our Path to the IT Industry

Admet. I started engaging in IT entrepreneurship in 2021. Before that, I worked as a project and product manager for startups and corporations in Kazakhstan, Russia, the USA, and Australia. Since childhood, I knew I wanted to work in the game development industry, but ultimately I ended up in IT. My schedule as an entrepreneur is flexible.

Zarina. By profession, I am a translator-linguist, which is a completely different field. Before that, I was a model, participating in various shows, commercial, and creative projects. My passion for the digital world began in childhood. I played computer games and was an advanced user of personal computers. I liked working with gadgets and could reinstall operating systems. I knew how to create backgrounds in Excel, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator, and edit images and photos.

I entered the IT field in 2020. I immediately started learning programming, but during the process, I realized that I was closer to the UX/UI design field. I worked at IT companies and then switched to freelancing.

After moving to Singapore, I created designs for Singaporean companies. At work, I noticed that startups lacked time during accelerations. So now I have a lowcode IT studio, and my schedule is flexible.

Division of Responsibilities

Admet. I spend little time at home, so I cannot pay much attention to household chores. In our family, I solve organizational issues related to moving, travel, and finances.

Zarina. We do not have a division of responsibilities. To make our work productive, we do not let household chores distract us too much. I love cooking and often use new recipes for Asian dishes. I enjoy cooking not because I have to, but because I like it to be delicious.

In our free time, we go to the pool together, taste new types of food at establishments, or stroll around local attractions.

Family Traditions

Zarina. We do not have stereotypes about the "correctness" of behavior in the family. Our family values are based on love, trust, and mutual support at all times. The most important thing is that we are partners and create our own traditions, which is primarily about actions and support in various situations. Support and empathy are the foundation of everything.

Admet. I am a mixed-race person. I am Kazakh, but I grew up in a family with traditional upbringing. Therefore, I am open to many traditions, cultures, and languages. Zarina and I love traveling, and before having children, we want to visit as many countries as possible. Later, we will instill a love for travel in our children. I can confidently say that among our values are mutual respect for viewpoints and supporting each other in the decisions we make.

Balancing Home and Work

Zarina. It is important to create a proper schedule to maintain balance. If there is a lot of work, we order cleaning services to maintain a comfortable atmosphere at home and focus on our main tasks.

Admet. It is convenient to have your own business, but it also requires full dedication to work. Sometimes, due to work, I have to be away from home from morning until evening. But on weekends, I try to spend my time fully with Zarina and do household chores together.

Tips for a Happy Family Life

Admet. Talking and listening to each other to discover new comfortable sides of family life is very important. Be ready to change for your partner when needed. Compared to before I met Zarina, I am a completely different person now, and this is great.

Zarina. In any situation, you should never say too much to your loved one and hurt them. It is necessary to show empathy and develop emotional intelligence as much as possible. When discussing problems, it is better to be open with your partner and give them the opportunity to express their thoughts.

It is good to know how to listen, be flexible, and understand your partner, but it is also important to preserve your own opinions and viewpoints. You do not need to determine what is good and bad, right and wrong. There is no need to judge. A happy family is not measured by numbers or specific algorithms.

How IT Families Differ from Others

Admet. In such families, there is always access to innovations and a desire for development, because this field demands it. Many countries support IT specialists, especially IT entrepreneurs, so the whole world is open to us, which we consider a great advantage and provides significantly more opportunities compared to other fields, which is why there are many "digital nomads" now.

Zarina. It is important to stay updated with the latest technological trends in the IT world, so such families may focus more on continuous learning and development. Family members understand each other professionally, share interests, and can discuss technical issues. Another feature is that we can discuss new ideas, find creative solutions, and create joint projects and startups.