William Ward shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
William, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me starts at 7 a.m. with coffee and emails before diving into spreadsheets of follow-ups and contracts for my wholesale company. I run through our CRM, where I’m currently reaching 3,000–5,000 property owners each month, and connect with my virtual assistants at 9 a.m. to set the day’s priorities. At 10 a.m., I have a team meeting with my six employees, and from there, the day really gets moving. Around noon I hit the gym and grab lunch, then I’m back to powering through offers, acquisitions, and dispositions. Some days, I’ll also interview new agents interested in joining my partner brokerage, Marzucco Real Estate in Fort Myers. I check my listings for accuracy and make any price adjustments needed to maximize exposure. Before wrapping up, I review all pending properties. I like to end the day by unwinding—either with dinner and a drive, or by riding my dirt bike along the canals to reset. By 10 p.m., I’m in bed, ready to recharge and start it all again the next morning.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is William Ward, and I’m the founder of Heavy Waves LLC as well as the broker/owner of A-Ward Winning Realty. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, and Journalism from Florida Gulf Coast University, which gave me a strong foundation in connecting with people and building relationships—skills that I’ve carried into real estate and business.
What started as a six-figure, one-man operation under another broker has now grown into my own company generating over $1 million in gross revenue and supporting a team of six employees. Through Heavy Waves, I focus on wholesale acquisitions and dispositions, connecting thousands of property owners each month with buyers, builders, and investors. With A-Ward Winning Realty, I mentor and develop the next generation of agents while helping clients maximize the value of their land and homes across Florida.
What makes my brand unique is the balance of scale and personal attention—we combine high-volume outreach with a relationship-driven approach that ensures every client and investor gets the service and results they need. Today, I’m proud to lead companies that continue to grow in one of the fastest-moving real estate markets in the country while also guiding new agents on their own journeys to success.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was simply a driven kid with big dreams and a love for connecting with people. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit—someone who wanted to carve his own path instead of following the one laid out for him. I wasn’t afraid of hard work or long hours, and I believed early on that success comes from betting on yourself. That mindset carried me from being a one-man sales associate into building my own multimillion-dollar companies. Deep down, I’m still that same person—curious, ambitious, and willing to take risks—but now with the experience and responsibility to lead others and create opportunities for the next generation.
At the same time, I’ve always been an artist at heart. I’ve been a certified gold artist, musician, and songwriter since I was 12 years old, and music was my first love. I even took a year off college to tour around Florida, performing all over the state. Creating and performing taught me discipline, persistence, and how to truly connect with people—skills that have shaped who I am today as a leader and entrepreneur. Even though my main focus is real estate, I still carve out time here and there for music, because creativity has always been part of who I am.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
One of the biggest things I changed my mind about after failing hard was the meaning of failure itself. I used to see failure as something to avoid, but over time I realized it’s actually one of the most valuable parts of growth. All of the great and successful people in the world have failed multiple times, and the difference is that they learned from each instance. I’ve taken my own failures on the chin, analyzed them for criticism and lessons, and used them as fuel to improve. Most importantly, I never let failure stop me or push me into overthinking—I kept taking action, and that’s what allowed me to grow.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I like to think the public version of me is actually a kind of alter ego I use to perform at my best and block out the noise. I’m naturally an introvert, but both real estate and music demand a certain level of bravado and presence to truly succeed. You still have to remain humble and genuine, but being out there in front of people, shaking hands, and making connections is essential. My background in Communications, Public Relations, and Journalism also taught me that how you carry yourself and the image you project really matters—it’s part of building trust and credibility in any field.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I only had 10 years left, I’d probably stop working… or at least stop working quite so hard. I’d want to slow down, soak up life, and spend more time somewhere peaceful—maybe on a remote island—just enjoying the moment and taking it easy. Work has been a huge part of my life, but sometimes the best investment is in yourself and the experiences that make life meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://awardwinningrealty.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willythecloser_broker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willythecloser
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tha_goldenticket
Image Credits
@deciusfilms
@laurenmaxwellteam
@omeganationaltitle
@willythecloser_broker
