Balancing Family, Fun, and a Flourishing Career
The Life of Ali Noel
The Noel family in Todos Santos Mexico this past summer.
Meet Ali Noel and her family–a lively crew with three boys, one girl on the way, and plenty of adventure to go around. Ali is the founder of The Noel Collective, a prestigious real estate group, and alongside her husband, she balances business ownership with the joys of busy family life. Whether they’re tackling a scavenger hunt, grabbing a bite at Sam’s Place, or unwinding at their Leipers Fork cabin, their blend of professional accomplishment and playful family spirit makes them a truly inspiring part of the community.
What are your children's names and ages? Where do they go to school?
We have three boys and a baby girl on the way! Walker (8) goes to Julia Green, Theo (5) goes to Woodmont Christian, and Roman is 15 months old.
Do you have pets? Tell us a little about them.
Our cat's name is Coleslaw; our boys named him and he is convinced he is a dog! He goes on walks with us to Little Rad and has become friends with all the neighbors.
Where are you and your family originally from?
We are originally from Memphis, TN but my dad is a developer and brought his business to Nashville when I was growing up and still in school. When my husband and I were trying to think of where we wanted to plant our roots and grow our family, we felt Nashville was the best blend of Southern culture but also the ability to experience a city feel!
How long have you lived in the Belle Meade area?
We have lived in Belle Meade Highlands for 6 years.
What university did you attend?
I attended the University of Alabama and majored in Business. Post graduate, I lived in NYC for 5 years, Dallas for 3 years, and then we moved back to Nashville to start our family!
What are your profession(s) and where do you work?
I own a residential real estate company called The Noel Collective that focuses on luxury homes and also has a sports and entertainment division. We work with the TN Titans locally and several other NFL teams across the US as their point of contact for real estate nationwide.
How did you meet?
I met my husband after a Christmas party when we were both home visiting our families in Memphis.
What activities are your children involved in?
With three boys, our home is full of football, soccer, tennis, and lots of messy fun!
Do you have any family traditions?
We visit 30A for Fourth of July and Christmas each year. It’s become a family tradition that our kids and family have grown to love!
Tell us about some of your favorite activities and hobbies.
We love trying any new restaurant in Nashville! Pastis in Edgewood Houston is one of my new favorites. I lived in NYC for 5 years and it was my favorite restaurant there. It’s so fun to see it open in our home town! For family activities, we love boating on Old Hickory Lake, and visiting the Adventure Science Center, Cheekwood, and the Nashville Zoo!
Which restaurants do you go to most often?
We absolutely love eating at Sam’s Place if we are together as a whole family; it is by far the most family friendly restaurant in town. Roze Pony is one of my go-to’s in this area. Sometimes I will have meetings there all day, starting out with coffee and brunch and ending with cocktails and oysters!
What do you like to do for fun or to relax?
We love to do scavenger hunts with the kids. If I am trying to relax I’m at Escape or Southall Farms–I feel like 6 hours at Southall feels like I went away for a whole weekend and come back refreshed. It’s incredible! We also own a cabin right outside of Leiper's Fork that we love to visit to get out of Nashville sometimes! The boys will play pickleball, roast s’mores, and play in the creek. Every now and then my husband and I will make it to open mic night on a Thursday in Leipers Fork Village. You never know who you will spot there!
Do you have a favorite vacation destination or family trip?
My favorite family vacation to date is probably Todos Santos Mexico. We rented a house over the summer and took all of our kids. It was absolutely magical! You truly feel like a local all the while getting to explore things you’ve never seen before–hiking with amazing views, beaches, and incredible restaurants. Our boys loved being immersed in the culture and we would definitely go back! My husband and I did a trip to France this summer with just the two of us. We visited Nice, Provence, and Paris and each city was truly amazing. Provence was surprisingly my favorite as you can stay at a Chateau with lavender fields, wineries, and incredible restaurants.
What’s your favorite piece of Nashville history?
Working in sports and entertainment gives me an appreciation for the history of the growth of music here in Nashville and how many singer songwriters have started here at places like - Greens Grocery, Bluebird Cafe and so many more. It’s since then become a Mecca for entertainers and athletes because they know they can live here and feel normal!
What is your favorite part about living in the neighborhood?
My favorite part of Belle Meade Highlands is that it is full of young families just like us and seeing all of our kids grow up and play with each other is truly so rewarding. You also cannot beat the location and proximity to all the parks like Cheekwood and Palmer Park.
What is something people wouldn’t guess about your family?
We thrive in chaos! My husband and I are both business owners and we will soon have 4 kiddos. I’m truly grateful for the partner I have in him and could not do life with anyone else. We both absolutely love a challenge and adventure and I feel like I can do anything with him by my side!
What is your favorite thing about Stroll Belle Meade?
We love getting an inside look into what makes the neighborhood so special!
What would you tell someone who just moved into the neighborhood about Belle Meade and about this publication?
It feels like a family. You cannot beat the community this neighborhood has - from Turkey Trot to neighborhood Halloween parties, it’s the most magical place to live!