Mahwikizi & Co

I recently met Wendy—a warrior, a survivor, and a greeter at her local cancer support center. She stood as a beacon of hope in a place where strength is tested every single day. Wendy shared her story, but more than that, she illuminated the struggles of these centers: negotiating discounts for wigs and scarves, securing support for children’s programs, and simply trying to keep the lights on. This isn’t just Wendy’s fight. It’s ours. Cancer support centers are the lifeline for patients and their families—a place to find comfort, resources, and dignity. Yet, they’re scattered across Illinois, forced to navigate a labyrinth of redundancies just to survive. Outreach, fundraising, and coordination become mountains to climb when they should be bridges to cross. We must do better. Illinois deserves better. This is a call to action—not just to see the problem but to be part of the solution. Let’s reimagine how we support those who need us most. Together, we can build a future where cancer support centers are funded through the private sector, and are utilizing their time and capital for what matters most: Cancer patients, Cancer survivors, and their families. The time for change is now. #IllinoisDeservesBetter #CancerSupportMatters #DoBetter

The beauty of podcasting is collecting the stories of lived experiences that our guests bring. This episode with Brian Floriani of Bernie's Book Bank and Freadom Promotions opened up a memory of a previous interview with Justin Mahwikizi, author of The Manufacturing of Poverty. Both guests have made decisions to change the lives of their communities. Don’t get us wrong. They are extremely talented savvy businessmen. But their fuel to #getshitdone is improving the human condition. Change one life, impact the masses. Show the possibilities of life, and your possibilities scale. Expand the imagination of another, and watch their reality improve and expand. Purpose over profit! www.gsdxpodcast.com

?? Your Heroes Won’t Always Cheer You On—And That’s Okay ?? Elon Musk taught us something profound: your heroes aren’t meant to be your cheerleaders. Think about it. The people who inspire us often have groundbreaking visions “for their time”. But here’s the catch: their vision doesn’t always extend to “your time”. They motivate you to dream big, but when you start chasing those dreams, they might become your loudest critics. Take Neil Armstrong, for example. As a child, Elon Musk idolized Armstrong—the man who took humanity’s first steps on the moon. Armstrong’s legacy inspired Musk to dream of space exploration. But when Musk founded SpaceX to revolutionize space travel with private commercial flights, Armstrong didn’t applaud. Instead, he became a vocal critic, joining other Apollo-era astronauts in questioning the role of private companies in space exploration. For Musk, this was a bittersweet moment. The man who once symbolized the pinnacle of human achievement was now skeptical of the next frontier. It’s a powerful reminder: even our heroes can resist change. Why? Because their identities are tied to the paradigms they helped create. Breaking barriers in the past doesn’t always mean they’ll embrace the barriers you’re breaking in the future. So, here’s the lesson: Don’t wait for validation from your heroes. Your vision is yours alone. It’s not their job to champion it—it’s yours. And if they doubt you? That’s okay. It doesn’t diminish their legacy, and it certainly doesn’t diminish yours. Keep pushing boundaries. Keep challenging the status quo. And remember: the future belongs to those who dare to dream beyond the limits of the past. ?? Have you ever faced criticism from someone you admired? How did it shape your journey? Let’s discuss in the comments. ?? #Leadership #Innovation #SpaceX #ElonMusk #Motivation #CareerGrowth #FutureOfWork #Inspiration

Welcome Claudia Munezero to Mahwikizi & Co. Good luck on your internship.

Imagine this: a room filled with the hum of innovation, where tomorrow’s leaders gather not just to dream but to plan for a legacy. Succession planning—it’s not just for the seasoned veterans of the business world. It’s a cornerstone for the bold entrepreneurs of today, those building solutions for problems we didn’t even see coming. I recently attended a gathering hosted by Propellant Ventures, under the exceptional leadership of Jason Jacobsohn It was a space brimming with potential, where I had the privilege of meeting promising business leaders. Together, we explored the power of planning—not just for the now, but for the future. The message was clear: start thinking about succession early, and you’ll lay the groundwork for enduring success. At Mahwikizi & Co, we’re excited to deepen our ties with the Greater Chicago and Illinois startup ecosystems. While tech startups often grab the spotlight, we also see untapped potential in sectors that drive true economic growth—small business, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, and logistics. Illinois is a land of opportunity, and with the right vision, we can create an economy that thrives across industries. Because building a legacy starts with planting the seeds today.

When I left Northern Trust, it wasn’t to chase comfort or security—it was to chase answers. Answers to a question that had lingered in my soul: Why is there such a profound disconnect between the rich and the poor? I didn’t have a publisher to back me. No corporate sponsor to ease the journey. But I had an idea. And sometimes, all it takes is an idea and a willingness to step into the unknown. The idea? To become a rideshare driver with Lyft & Uber. It was the best way I could think of to meet a true cross-section of humanity—a randomized sample of people from every walk of life. When they stepped into my car, I didn’t choose them. Rich or poor. Young or old. Gang member or churchgoer. Angry or joyful. They simply came as they were. Over time, my car became more than just a vehicle—it became a sanctuary for stories. I listened, I learned, and I connected with over 30,000 passengers. Each one offered a glimpse into the human condition, pieces of a puzzle that would eventually become The Manufacturing of Poverty. Here’s what I learned: there is always a way to achieve your goals. The path may be narrow, and it may not look like anything you imagined. But when you let creativity and resourcefulness guide you, even the most unlikely journey can lead to extraordinary places. Sometimes, we just have to be bold enough to take the wheel. What unconventional paths have you taken to pursue your dreams?

Now imagine this: You’ve done the heavy lifting—found the perfect business, delivered your pitch, and put forward your Letter of Intent. But it didn’t land. The seller turned you down. Why? Most folks think it’s the price. But it usually isn’t. Price can be negotiated. What sinks an LOI is often something subtler, something entirely within your control. Today, we’re diving into the four reasons LOIs fail and how you can avoid them. Let’s begin. 1. They Don’t Like You. It’s that simple. Selling a business isn’t just a transaction—it’s personal. For the seller, it represents years of blood, sweat, and sacrifice. If you seem cold, overly aggressive, or indifferent, you’ve already lost. Sellers need to feel a connection—to trust you. The Fix: Be human. Show interest in their story, not just their spreadsheets. Build a relationship that makes them feel respected. People remember how you make them feel. 2. Your Terms Are a Maze of Complexity. Most sellers aren’t financial pros. Drop terms like “forgivable notes” or “working capital adjustments,” and you’ll create doubt. Doubt almost always leads to “no.” The Fix: Keep your offer simple. Lay it out in clear, everyday language. Simplicity builds trust. 3. The Seller Sees Too Much Risk. Seller financing is common, but sellers need to believe they’ll get paid. An offer with vague terms, little down payment, or no guarantees feels like a gamble—and they won’t risk their retirement. The Fix: Offer assurances like personal guarantees. Clarify repayment terms. Show them you’re financially solid and trustworthy. 4. You’re Making Their Exit Harder Than It Needs to Be. Sellers want a clean break. If your LOI ties them down with long commitments or heavy transitions, you’re creating unnecessary friction. The Fix: Respect their freedom. Avoid burdensome post-sale obligations. If you need their involvement, keep it clear, light, and time-bound. The Bottom Line Price grabs attention, but it’s not what seals the deal. Sellers care about trust, simplicity, and a smooth transition. Before you send your next LOI, ask yourself: ? Am I someone the seller can trust? ? Is my offer clear and digestible? ? Does the seller feel secure about payment? ? Have I minimized post-closing headaches? Get those four things right, and you’ll move from sending LOIs to closing deals. Happy hunting.

Following your intuition can feel like walking a tightrope—risky, uncertain, and often without immediate reward. It’s not easy choosing a path where setbacks, rejections, and even silence feel like constant companions. But every so often, a small win reminds you why you started in the first place. For me, that moment came when a young man, fresh out of prison, crossed my path. After our conversation, he decided to trust his gut and pursue an opportunity most would deem impossible. Against all odds—and without a law degree—he secured an internship at a law firm. That’s the power of intuition, resilience, and believing in someone when they need it most. Sometimes, your impact is the spark that ignites someone else’s transformation. And for me, that’s worth all the struggle. ??John Morris?? TTSG The Get Shit Done Experience The Manufacturing of Poverty

"He/She is so Stubborn!" How many of us have heard this being said in a negative way? One of the key takeaways I garnered from researching and writing my book The Manufacturing of Poverty is that you want to be that stubborn person. You want to be around stubborn people in your team. Why? Because they are convicted! They have seen something you don't yet see. The best people you want with you in that dark tunnel are the ones who have seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Help them get there, and you won't regret it.

RESOURCEFULNESS!!! I've always found that urgency was one of the most important intangible qualities that a business developing, multiplier superstar could have. I'm quickly finding that resourcefulness is racing into the lead as a quality that the best of the best new business generators bring to the table. “Re-source-ful-ness - the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties” The phones aren't answered The emails aren't read The meeting isn't accepted The prospect won’t engage The proposal isn't responded to The offer isn't accepted The prospect has a partnership The timing isn't perfect The budget is full The terms aren't accepted This will never stop. These obstacles will exist until the end of time. Resourcefulness is critical to solving problems…it takes critical thinking and creativity… But lets not forget the biggest key… WILLINGNESS Most sales and marketing staffers are capable of being resourceful, but are they willing to do what it takes to be resourceful? That's the question that sales and marketing leaders need to consider… Do your people really want it bad enough? And are they looking at you for that leadership? Like leading by doing… Would you leave your high six-figure roll to become a ride-share so you can interview 30k people the fastest way possible for a book you want to write??? That's big time!!! Let's think smaller…and more practically… You want sustained profitable revenue growth in ‘25 and beyond… Would you be willing to create a post every day, get on video, send 50 PERSONALIZED DMs per day, engage with hundreds of posts weekly, and drop the traditional commodity driven content to build an authentic and vulnerable online presence that makes you known, liked, and trusted? Would your team be willing to become the content, build personal brands, social sell, and transform the sales and marketing role into a brand champion influenctial media monster??? The resources are everywhere…all that stands in the way is the willingness to change! We can all be resourceful…but are we willing… That is the key to #getshitdone www.20Twentydesign.com Tim Ward Eric McMillian Olivia [ Liv ] Ward Joe Kwitkowski Jesus Cardenas Nick Verzillo Lauren Klaus