A top agent for Sotheby鈥檚 International, Lisa Williams is smart, competitive and a force of nature in the real estate market鈥攁nd it鈥檚 no wonder, because she absolutely loves what she does.

鈥淚t really doesn鈥檛 matter if it鈥檚 a waterfront estate or a little cottage somewhere, when it comes together, people are happy, and I鈥檓 grateful to play a part in that,鈥� she says.

It鈥檚 a path she started on shortly after exploring her university options.

鈥淢y family background is building and development, so after some travel and a stint at UVic, it seemed the natural direction to go,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 love the fact that every day is different. And I鈥檝e met so many fascinating people over the years, many of whom are now friends.鈥�

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Riding has been another big part of Lisa鈥檚 life.

鈥淚鈥檝e been riding since I was about 10, and competing on the Hunter Jumper circuit since about 18,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 think the riding really gave me the ability to focus under pressure, think fast and react according to changing situations.鈥�

She adds: 鈥淚鈥檓 definitely competitive, but having said that, I think you have to learn how to lose to really understand the winning part.鈥�

That understanding helped fuel Lisa鈥檚 determination as well.

鈥淚 get the biggest reward from being a problem-solver and bringing really tough deals together. If there is a solution to be found, I won鈥檛 sleep until I figure it out.鈥�

And on her days off?

鈥淗a! I don鈥檛 have many of those!鈥� she laughs. 鈥淚f the world ever gets to a new normal, I鈥檇 love to travel more. Expanding my repertoire in the kitchen would be great too. And growing up, we did a lot of boating as a family, so being out on the water will always be something I love.鈥�

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The 7 Sins

Envy:

Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

I have to say that I鈥檓 pretty happy walking in mine most of the time (hats off to John Fluevog for great style and amazingly comfortable shoes), but I鈥檇 love to have walked in Steve Nash鈥檚 shoes during his NBA run. I think Steve is the epitome of hard work and focus equalling success. In a world of brash big talkers, Steve moved faster, thought smarter and delivered with grace and style. What an amazing ambassador for Canada!

Gluttony:

What is the food you could eat over and over again?

I鈥檓 addicted to the Prawn Phad Thai from Ba鈥檃n Thai Wok & Bar. It鈥檚 amazing! Also pretzels鈥攔idiculous鈥攂ut they have to have just the right amount of salt.

Greed:

You鈥檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?

Pre-COVID-19, I wouldn鈥檛 hesitate to say world travel and enjoying new culinary experiences. Now, I think it would be having a sunny little getaway place on one of the Gulf Islands to share with family and friends鈥攁nd a faster boat to come and go!

Wrath:

Pet peeves?

Conceit, laziness and, the worst, entitlement.

Sloth:

Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?

I don鈥檛 like to sit still for very long, but I鈥檓 quite happy doing nothing on the beach at Sidney Spit, or up in Desolation Sound, provided 鈥渘othing鈥� includes some wine, fresh prawns or crab on the portable barbecue, and some good music and friends to share it with!

Pride:

What is the one thing you鈥檙e secretly proud of?

On the play side, I鈥檝e been lucky to have been able to compete and win at some top-level Hunter Jumper competitions in New York, DC, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and California. It鈥檚 a special partnership with the right horse, and a pretty incredible feeling to win under pressure. With real estate, I鈥檓 proud to be the highest-selling agent in Victoria and will be the first to reach the billion-dollar milestone in overall sales this year. I鈥檓 grateful to be able to do what I love, and lucky to live in such a special place in the world! Since COVID, I know I definitely appreciate it more than ever.

Lust:

What makes your heart beat faster?

Speed. Winning. Making the deal happen and calling the clients to tell them. Music, dancing, great food and wine, laughing so hard it hurts. And of course, being in love!