Meet CYNTHIA WILLIAMS | Owner / Broker in Charge of Lifestyle Real Estate, Charleston SC

We had the good fortune of connecting with CYNTHIA WILLIAMS and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi CYNTHIA, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I guess I wasn’t happy with the way my work life was going. I didn’t feel anyone really cared about me. I was just supposed to turn out the sales and pay the fees. I needed someone to notice my efforts and give me a thank you every now and then. I’m not a big words of affirmation person, but I know that small things matter. I felt like I didn’t matter. I prayed about it long and hard; and deep down in my soul, I knew one day I would start my own company as much as I tried not to do it. I woke up one morning and decided “I’m doing it!” “If it is to be, it is up to me to create the work environment I always wanted to have.” I try very hard to always notice everything my agents do and to tell them how proud I am of them. My company is based on their success – not mine – and I know this and never take it for granted.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
After 16 years of working for other companies in real estate, I started my real estate firm in 2018 – Lifestyle Real Estate. I had no knowledge of what to do so I had to figure it out. I made sure I had my systems in place before I hired my very first agent. I wanted to be at a place where I could be helpful to them without feeling like I was still getting up and running. I am constantly learning new things about running a business. The biggest one is how expensive it is to own a company – and the taxes – Yikes. But – the satisfaction of knowing it is mine is so rewarding. It has not been easy – nothing in my life has ever been easy – but I keep going. The biggest challenge would be in the human resource area. I know real estate. It just never occured to me the personal problems of the people that work for me would a part of my business life. However, I look back at my corporate days and realize – yes – when things happen in our personal lives we take them to (wherever) we go – even work. This has helped me to become more understanding and loving to my agents. We are a work family. I would also say, my brand is something I am very proud of because it represents the true meaning of the Pineapple – which is our logo. It stands for Friendship and Hospitality. We want to look out for your best interest and to treat you the way we would want to be treated. My company is about people not profits – profits are important to keep moving forward but it is the people that mean the most to us because without our clients there would be no Lifestyle Real Estate.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I were a tour guide of family, friends or even an out of town client, I would start in Downtown Charleston. I love Rainbow Row. This street was the very first “real” picture I ever purchased of Charleston which still hangs in my home today. The Pineapple Fountain at the Waterfront would be next. We would have to get some delicious Lowcountry seafood. There are too many great places to mention but that would be a definite! King Street is a great walking tour, but also, I would hire a friend I met this past year – Karen McDaniel of Lowcountry History Strolls. This is a must do! She is a lowcountry native who can tell you the history of everything about Charleston. She grew up here! I have lived here over 10 years and taking the tour was a WOW for me. I don’t know why I had not done this sooner. Next I would go to Shem Creek and watch the dolphins swim and walk the boardwalk – then on to Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, and Folly Beach. I love the beaches. Next would be over to James Island to watch the magnificent sunsets with colors of orange, pink, and blue. I would want to show them some of the plantations – Magnolia for beautiful flowers and Boone Hall for fabulous history. Historic Summerville would be at the end of the week because there is so much history on Main Street Summerville. I love how beautiful it is. If we had more time, I would drive them out to Wadmalaw Island. It is such a nature preserve. So much to see in the Lowcountry!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would have to mention, my first Broker, Sybil Brindel of Fort Mill, SC, Sybil set the example for me regarding taking real estate seriously and understanding the work we do as Realtors is a very serious job. We are not just door openers. We are advisors, contract writers, project managers, emotional support people, the list goes on and one for our clients. Real Estate is a very emotional transaction and very stressful for almost everyone I have met and worked with. What we do impacts their financial decisions and lives so we must get it right. I am so grateful to her for instilling this into me because I am instilling it into my own agents now.

I also want to shout out Karen McDaniel of Lowcountry History Strolls. I mentioned above she is a native Charlestonian and knows everything about the history of Charleston.  I could listen to her for hours.  She is definitely someone to get in touch with if you are truly here for the history of Charleston.

Also, I would also like to mention Dave Ramsey. I purchased one of his books and the biggest thing I learned was to get out of debt. Don’t buy anything you can’t pay for – unless it is a home. I have worked very hard to be debt free and I finally almost am. I purchased my first investment property this year, and I am excited. So grateful for this knowledge as it has been life changing. I don’t feel the stress of paying so many bills anymore. I am able to be a secret angel to people who don’t even know me. I love this. It feels amazing! I also feel like I enjoy life a little more these days.

Website: www.LifestyleRealEstateSC.com

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Image Credits
MarkStaffPhotography