Lisa Bender

Finding an Immeasurable Gift in Adaptability

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Jessica Laine Photography

It has been said by many scholars that the measure of intelligence and strength is the ability to adapt to change. This mindset has been the force behind Lisa Bender’s success in life and business. “Circumstances change, and adaptability is immeasurable,” she said. “My mottos in life are ‘go with the flow’ and ‘be ready for anything life throws at you.’”

When Lisa first got into real estate in 2010, her future was uncertain. The real estate market was entering a recovery phase, and Lisa wasn’t sure she would be able to survive the industry in its volatile state. “At the time, my husband’s business closed, and we had just adopted our daughter, Chloe,” Lisa recalled. “I knew I was ready to leave my previous career in the automotive industry; however, I went from having a steady income to no income at all — I was insecure in my ability and unsure if we could make this work.”

With the encouragement from her friends and family, and her husband’s ability to stay at home with their daughter, Lisa was able to focus on building her real estate business. “Because we were reliant on just my income, I felt I had no choice but to not fail,” she said. “I did everything I could to increase my business: open houses, showing houses for top agents in my office, floor time, cold calling. You name it, I was working on it.” Lisa took every lease client she could, knowing that the next year they would most likely purchase. “During that first year, I also took on a part-time job to have at least one source of steady income coming in. I had to adapt to not only starting a new career but also being the sole provider for my family, being a first-time mother and having my husband at home taking care of our little girl while I often worked 14- to 16-hour days,” she explained.

It was a lot to take on all at once, but Lisa did it, and she thrived. “Taking care of my family motivated me every day,” she said. As a result of her hard work, Lisa — a top producer at her office with Real Estate One — earned a Gold Award for sales, President’s Circle Award for sales and Most Outgoing Referral Award.

In the midst of hitting her real estate stride in 2019, Lisa’s husband, Mike, unexpectedly died. “My whole world collapsed when Mike passed away,” she said. “I wasn’t interested in anything, I didn’t want to do anything and I was having a hard time relating to the outside world.”

In a blink of an eye, Lisa became a widow with a young daughter who had spent most of her time growing up with her dad. “I didn’t know how to relate to Chloe and how to fill the void that Mike had left,” she said. Lisa relied on the strength of her family for support and her own ability to adapt to an unplanned circumstance. “I had a daughter to raise on my own and the added pressure to support us financially,” Lisa explained. “However, real estate was the one constant thing that kept pushing me forward. My fellow agents, broker, coach and other team members stood beside, behind and in front of me to ensure I didn’t fall. They provided me the ability to take a step back so I could re-evaluate and re-prioritize my real estate career.”

When Lisa examined where she wanted to go, and more importantly, where she felt she needed to be, she quickly realized she was right where she should be. “I was able to re-focus on my ‘why’ and push ahead on my goals and with building my career,” she said.

Because a profession in real estate offers a flexible schedule, Lisa was able to create a plan that would allow her time for her daughter, as well as the opportunity to continue to grow her business and help others along the way. “I wanted to be there when others needed me and have the ability to support them when they needed it,” Lisa said. “What I do isn’t just a job or a career; rather, it’s a big part of who I am: It’s building relationships, helping others and supporting one another along the way.”

“MY MOTTOS IN LIFE ARE ‘GO WITH THE FLOW’ AND ‘BE READY FOR ANYTHING LIFE THROWS AT YOU.’”

At the heart of her business, Lisa is most passionate about helping people realize their homeownership dreams. “There are so many aspects of my work that bring me great joy,” Lisa shared. “I love helping first-time homebuyers, educating others on the selling and buying process and, best of all, building relationships with new clients and other agents.”

Lisa’s drive to help others has defined her path and influenced how she does business day-to-day. “I am very empathetic toward others and will always work hard to earn my client’s business through trust, honesty and being respectful,” she said. Lisa attributes her strong morals and values to her parents and her former employer who taught her how to fight through obstacles and accomplish goals.

In her free time, Lisa and her 14-year-old daughter enjoy spending time together doing crafts, projects, watching movies, going up north to their lake house and growing closer together as a family.

“We’re all a work in progress,” Lisa said. “Because of various situations in my own life, I am acutely aware that circumstances can change, and they will change us. What I previously thought was important is not as important now because those events gave me a new perspective on life. Being able to adapt and change with the help of family and friends has been immeasurable to my personal life and my real estate career.”

Lisa Bender - Agent Spotlight