From Portugal to Dubai, this determined entrepreneur is breaking boundaries in international luxury real estate while championing sustainability and women’s empowerment
In the competitive world of luxury real estate, few entrepreneurs manage to create a global impact while maintaining a deeply personal approach to business. Alexandra-Victoria Haman Bonte has done precisely that, transforming what began as necessity during Portugal’s recession into a thriving international enterprise that spans continents and cultures.
Rising from the Ground Up
“I started with nothing,” Alexandra reflects. “When I arrived in Portugal during the recession, there were no jobs available. I had to create my own path.” This necessity became the mother of invention for Haman, who drew on her background as a professional competitive equestrian to fuel her entrepreneurial journey.
Her years as a horse rider at the competitive level instilled in her the discipline, persistence, and strategic thinking that would become the foundation of her business approach. “In equestrian sports, you learn to build trust, to be patient yet decisive, and to understand that success comes through consistent daily effort,” Alexandra explains. “These same principles apply perfectly to building a business from scratch.”
In 2014, she founded Bonte Filipidis, focusing on serving the expatriate community while working with developers on investment properties. What started as a necessity has grown into a luxury real estate powerhouse.
The Athlete’s Mindset in Business
Alexandra’s approach to business bears the unmistakable mark of her athletic background. Her day begins at 4:45 AM with a rigorous two-hour training session, setting the tone for a day of focused productivity. “My fitness regime isn’t just about physical health, it’s about mental discipline,” she shares. “The combination of intense training, clean nutrition, and daily meditation creates the foundation that allows me to manage the demands of international business.”
This disciplined lifestyle has become integral to her success. “In competitive sports, you learn that consistency is everything. The same applies to business, it’s not about occasional brilliant performances but showing up every day with your best effort.”
Her commitment to personal excellence extends to how she develops her team. “I love teaching my team and watching them grow,” Alexandra says with evident enthusiasm. “It reminds me of my days training horses. There’s something incredibly rewarding about identifying potential and nurturing it to excellence.”
Building a Global Real Estate Empire
What makes Alexandra unique is her ability to leverage her multicultural background to connect with clients and partners across diverse markets. Growing up between London, Paris, Johannesburg, and Milan gave her an intuitive understanding of different cultures that has become her greatest asset in an increasingly globalized market.
Her agency’s success is built on this understanding of cross-cultural dynamics. With a team that’s predominantly women and almost entirely expatriates, Bonte Filipidis has created a distinctive approach to luxury real estate that resonates with international clients.
Alexandra’s expansion strategy has been both bold and strategic. Beyond her established presence in Portugal and Ibiza, she has recently extended her reach into the Middle Eastern market, establishing operations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. “The UAE market offers extraordinary opportunities in the luxury segment,” she explains. “The vision and scale of development there align perfectly with our expertise in serving international clients seeking exceptional properties.”
Pioneering in Emerging Markets
Alexandra’s business strategy revolves around identifying emerging markets with high growth potential. “I recognized Portugal’s potential early on, establishing my real estate agency when the market was just beginning to attract international attention,” she says.
This pioneering spirit has led her beyond Europe and the Middle East. She’s actively involved in raising capital for Eko Atlantic, a sustainable smart city project in Lagos, Nigeria, which she believes has the potential to become “the next Silicon Valley of Africa.”
“What excites me about the Lagos project is the opportunity to be part of something truly transformative,” Alexandra explains. “Eko Atlantic represents the future of sustainable urban development in Africa, combining economic opportunity with environmental responsibility.”
Her latest venture into the Greek market further demonstrates her talent for identifying promising opportunities. “I truly believe in the Greek market’s amazing offering for prime real estate,” Haman explains. “We’re helping international investors access exceptional properties starting at €250,000 that are eligible for the Greek Golden Visa program, which can be processed in under two months.”
Championing Sustainability and Female Empowerment
Beyond real estate, Alexandra is deeply committed to sustainability and women’s empowerment. As an ambassador for The Good Bottle, a biodegradable plastic company, she advocates for environmentally conscious solutions in the luxury sector.
“The Good Bottle represents the future of sustainable packaging,” Alexandra explains. “Their innovative approach to creating biodegradable plastic alternatives aligns perfectly with my vision of luxury that doesn’t compromise our planet’s future.” In her role as ambassador, she helps connect the company with luxury brands and promotes sustainable practices within her extensive network.
Equally important is her role as an ambassador for Hera City, a global networking platform dedicated to empowering women in business. “Being part of Hera City allows me to connect with and mentor other female entrepreneurs across industries and borders,” Alexandra shares. “We’re creating a community where women can access resources, share experiences, and support each other in breaking barriers.”
This commitment to women’s empowerment extends to her business practices. “I’m incredibly proud of building a team that’s predominantly women. When I watch our team confidently navigate deals in multiple languages, bringing their international perspectives to every interaction, I feel immense pride.”
The Discipline Behind the Success
What separates Alexandra from many entrepreneurs is her unwavering commitment to personal discipline and well-being as foundations for business success. “My daily routine is sacred,” she explains. “The early morning workout, meditation practice, and clean nutrition aren’t luxuries, they’re necessities that create the energy and clarity needed to lead across multiple markets.”
This holistic approach to leadership reflects her belief that physical discipline translates directly to business discipline. “When you push yourself physically every morning, making tough business decisions becomes easier,” she observes. “The mental strength developed through consistent training creates resilience that carries over into every aspect of entrepreneurship.”
Her meditation practice, in particular, has become a cornerstone of her leadership style. “In the chaos of managing international operations, daily meditation provides the centered clarity needed to make strategic decisions,” Alexandra notes. “It’s about creating a calm internal space from which effective leadership can emerge.”
The Future: Expansion and Impact
Looking ahead, Alexandra has ambitious plans for further growth. Her expansion into new markets, including Greece, the UAE, and Nigeria, demonstrates her commitment to creating a truly global luxury real estate network.
For Alexandra, the next frontier is mentorship and public speaking. “Through mentorship programs and speaking engagements, I want to share what I’ve learned about leveraging our multicultural backgrounds and turning our perceived differences into strengths.”
With her unique combination of athletic discipline, financial expertise, cultural intelligence, and commitment to sustainability and empowerment, Alexandra-Victoria Haman isn’t just selling properties, she’s redefining what success looks like in the global luxury real estate market.
“The discipline and persistence I developed as a competitive athlete created the foundation for everything I’ve built,” she concludes. “From starting with nothing in Portugal to expanding across continents, it’s been a journey of consistent effort, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”