In a newly featured spotlight interview, Florida real estate developer Lawrence Todd Maxwell, President of MX Properties, Inc., is urging entrepreneurs, builders, and professionals across industries to rethink their approach to growth, risk, and leadership. Rather than chase trends or scale quickly, Maxwell calls for a return to long-term thinking, intentional decision-making, and staying local when it counts.
“You don’t need to go big to think big,” says Maxwell. “Sometimes the most impactful ideas are the ones you bring to life quietly—one brick, one block, and one steady choice at a time.”
His interview, titled "Lawrence Todd Maxwell: Building Big Ideas From a Small Town", dives into over 30 years of experience as a developer who has led with discipline, clarity, and consistency. Maxwell took over MX Properties at just 22 years old and has since built a career rooted in local development and real-world values.
Why It Matters: The Cost of Speed and the Value of Staying Put
In today’s economic climate, pressure to scale fast is often glorified. But Maxwell argues that this mindset comes at a cost—both to professionals and to communities.
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 20% of new businesses fail in their first year, and 65% fail within ten years, often due to rushed decisions and overexpansion.
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The Urban Land Institute reports that developments rooted in long-term community vision are 32% more likely to retain property value over time.
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In Florida alone, investor-driven growth has priced out local buyers, with home prices increasing over 60% since 2020 in many counties (Florida Housing Data, 2024).
“People think fast equals smart,” Maxwell says. “But growth isn’t success unless it lasts—and unless it reflects something you’re proud of.”
Leading Without Hype or Headlines
Maxwell is known for turning down projects that don’t align with his values, forgoing aggressive branding, and leading from behind the scenes.
“I don’t want to be the face of a brand,” he says. “The work should be the brand.”
He’s also outspoken about the pressure young professionals feel to constantly self-promote. Instead, he encourages people to focus inward—on routines, clarity, and patience.
“Write by hand. Take time. Build something, even if it’s small. You’d be amazed what shows up when you slow down.”
What People Can Do on Their Own
Maxwell isn’t asking people to follow his blueprint—but to create their own, thoughtfully. Here are steps anyone can take:
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Slow your decision-making: Take a few days before acting on a new idea. See if it still holds up in quiet moments.
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Start local: Build something small in your own community, where you understand the people and the problems.
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Say no more often: Declining the wrong opportunities opens space for the right ones.
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Use analogue tools: Try writing goals, plans, or sketches by hand. Maxwell believes it slows the brain just enough to reveal what matters.
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Practise a hobby that rewards patience: For Maxwell, it’s scale model building. For others, it might be gardening, woodworking, or puzzles.
“You don’t need a five-year plan to get started,” Maxwell says. “You just need to be honest about where you are and what you want to build.”
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Lawrence Todd Maxwell
Lawrence Todd Maxwell is a Lakeland-based developer and the longtime President of MX Properties, Inc. Known for his consistent, values-led approach to business, he has become a quiet example of how staying local and thinking long-term can lead to meaningful, lasting impact.
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