Taking bold steps into unfamiliar markets is something Frik De Meyere has done time and again throughout his career. From building startups in Europe to growing Belize’s real estate industry, he has spent over twenty years identifying opportunities and turning them into successful ventures. Today, he is the founder and leader of Prime Belize Real Estate, a firm helping clients access the country’s expanding property market.
Frik grew up in a small farming village near Belgium’s border with the Netherlands. He pursued his education in Ghent and Antwerp, earning degrees in information technology and emergency medical services. Later, driven by a desire to strengthen his leadership and strategic thinking, he earned an MBA from Flanders Business School and completed a second MBA from the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago.
Before moving to Belize, Frik built a career in Europe that spanned various industries. He held leadership and investment roles in real estate development, information systems, cosmetics, food production, and construction. Over a decade, he led and invested in over twenty startups, many of which later merged into larger businesses. In addition to his startup work, he managed the construction and sale of more than one hundred residential units, giving him deep insight into the real estate market.
Belize entered Frik’s life in 2004 when he traveled on a business scouting trip with his partner, Ilse Van Keer. It quickly became clear to him that Belize’s real estate market held significant potential. He began acquiring properties and, in 2011, moved with his family to Placencia, where he joined BMA Real Estate.
At the time, BMA was a small real estate firm handling fewer than fifteen yearly property transactions. Frik helped guide the company through a period of significant growth. The team expanded to over twenty professionals, and the annual transaction volume climbed to over one hundred. Under his leadership, the company began marketing luxury properties, such as private islands and high-end beachfront homes, attracting an international client base from North America and Europe.
In 2023, Frik founded Prime Belize Real Estate, bringing together trusted colleagues and local agents to launch the firm. Prime Belize Real Estate officially opened in January 2024 with a modern structure designed for faster service, greater flexibility, and improved market visibility. He now oversees the company’s sales and strategic direction, managing a portfolio that includes land parcels, beachfront estates, and fully developed private islands.
Frik’s business ventures extend well beyond property sales. He created 501properties.com, a real estate classifieds platform, and founded Placencia Storage, now Belize’s largest storage rental facility. He and Ilse also opened Chillpoint, a popular coffee shop, ice cream bar, and wine lounge that has become a key gathering place in Placencia.
A naturalized Belizean citizen and Justice of the Peace, Frik remains dedicated to giving back. He supports local education, sports, public safety, and housing initiatives. Along with Ilse, he has fostered children and adopted a daughter from Belize—deepening their family’s bond with the country they now call home.