Written by Nia Bowers
When Robin and Joran Krekels left Belgium for Dubai in 2023, they weren’t chasing comfort. They were chasing proof that belief, grit, and data could build something lasting. A year later, the brothers have done exactly that. Their agency, Cloverleads, has become one of the UAE’s most talked-about marketing firms, valued at more than $2 million and serving the country’s booming property sector.
“Cloverleads stands for creating your own luck,” says Robin Krekels, co-founder and entrepreneur. “Most companies depend on referrals, which is unpredictable. We help them move away from guesswork and build something repeatable.”
That system now fuels dozens of contractors and property management firms across the Emirates, helping them reach international property owners through digital advertising, automated nurturing, and appointment-setting strategies. In an $8 billion market, Cloverleads has become a key link between local firms and international property owners.
From Humble Beginnings: The Brothers Behind Cloverleads
Robin’s path to entrepreneurship started long before Dubai. He studied marketing, graduating top of his class after an internship at Tomorrowland, Belgium’s world-famous music festival. His career moved through event branding, nightlife campaigns, and real estate flips, where he learned what draws people in and what actually makes them buy.
“Marketing hooked me early,” he says. “I was fascinated by how people behave online — what catches their eye, what makes them click, what earns their trust.”
He and his younger brother Joran, 24, shared that fascination. They began testing ads, building funnels, and managing small campaigns. But it wasn’t easy. “We had stretches where nothing worked,” Robin admits. “We went into debt, kept tweaking offers, and spent many late nights reworking everything from scratch.”
That persistence paid off. Once they learned to generate leads for their own business, clients began lining up. “The obstacle is the way,” Robin says. “Every mistake taught us something we could sell.”
No Shortcuts
Unlike most agencies, Robin and Joran have actually lived the industries they serve. They’ve run Airbnbs in Belgium. They’ve flipped real estate in Dubai Marina, including one property sold at a record price for its building. They understand the urgency, pressure, and risk that come with managing or marketing property in Dubai’s fast-moving market.
That experience shaped their philosophy. “We don’t hide behind corporate language,” Robin explains. “We’re fast, hands-on, and focused entirely on delivering results. What other agencies do in a day, we try to deliver in two hours.”
The brothers’ energy and focus quickly attracted attention. Within two years, they were working with more than 20 major clients in renovation, real estate, and short-term rentals — including collaborations with Mo Vlogs and other regional industry figures. Cloverleads is now expanding its campaigns into Saudi Arabia, their next market of focus they are setting their sights on.
When Fear Turned To Faith
Ask Robin what drives him, and his answer has little to do with money. “We’ve made a lot of risky decisions,” he says with a laugh. “We’d spend everything on a campaign without knowing if it would work. Most times, it didn’t. But that faith — that sense that success was inevitable — kept us moving.”
He calls it faith-fueled action. “It’s not about recklessness,” he adds. “It’s about trusting that the vision will eventually meet reality. The path appears once you start walking.”
That belief has guided every move they’ve made, from the early failures in Belgium to their rapid rise in Dubai. It’s also become part of Cloverleads’ culture, a mindset built on discipline, optimism, and a constant momentum.
Beyond The Milestone
Today, Cloverleads is more than an agency. It’s a growth partner for businesses navigating one of the world’s most competitive markets. Their approach mixes performance marketing with authentic storytelling that turns interest into real inquiries.
“Advertising is the best investment a business can make once its offer is strong,” Robin says. “It’s not just about leads. It’s about momentum. Once things start moving, everything changes.”
Looking ahead, the brothers aim to grow Cloverleads into the most trusted name in lead generation across the Middle East, with a goal of $1 million in monthly recurring revenue by 2029. Saudi Arabia is their next step, followed by a wider regional rollout.
Still, Robin says the mission isn’t only about scale — it’s about inspiration. “We want to show other entrepreneurs that you don’t need a roadmap to begin. You don’t need to know everything. Start where you are, learn fast, and trust that the vision will catch up.”
In a city built on bold ideas and fearless execution, Cloverleads is living proof that in Dubai, luck often follows those who build their own path.
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