Lawrence Todd Maxwell grew up in Lakeland, Florida, where the pace was slow and the values were simple. That quiet environment became the blueprint for how he’d live—and lead. After earning a degree in Accounting and Economics from Florida Southern College, just minutes from his childhood home, Todd didn’t leave to chase something bigger. He stayed.
In 1993, he took control of MX Properties, Inc., a real estate company first formed in 1986. While others chased fast growth, Todd took a different path. He built with care, thought deeply, and said no more than he said yes. Over the years, he earned trust not by being loud, but by showing up, doing the work, and keeping his word.
He avoids social media. He doesn’t put his name in lights. But somehow, people know him—and more importantly, they trust him.
In his spare time, he builds scale models—tiny, detailed structures that require patience, focus, and intention. Just like his career. He also believes in fitness, structure, and a life that runs on routine rather than chaos.
People often look to flashy leaders for inspiration. But sometimes, it’s the quiet ones who leave the strongest impression. Todd Maxwell doesn’t tell you what to do. He just lives it—calmly, consistently, and on his own terms.
Interview with Lawrence Todd Maxwell: Inspiration Built One Brick at a Time
Q: Where do you find your inspiration, day to day?
Lawrence Todd Maxwell: I find it in small things. A quiet morning. A freshly cleared site. A clean workbench. I think inspiration is often mistaken for a burst of emotion. For me, it’s more of a rhythm. Showing up every day and doing what needs to be done—that’s where the spark lives.
Q: Do you try to inspire others, or is that just a byproduct of how you work?
I don’t try to. But I think when people see you stick to your values for a long time, they notice. I’ve had younger builders tell me that watching us pass on “hot” projects gave them the confidence to do the same. Sometimes just staying steady is enough to show people what’s possible.
Q: How do you inspire confidence in your ideas, especially when they go against the trend?
You have to be willing to lose out short-term. I once turned down a multi-building project because the timeline was too aggressive. The client walked. Six months later, they came back—because the firm that took the job cut corners, and it fell apart. When you say no with reason, and without ego, people start to believe that your yes really means something.
Q: What’s something that inspires you in others?
Humility. I’m drawn to people who can admit what they don’t know. Also, people who build things with their hands. Whether it’s a tradesperson or a hobbyist, there’s something honest in physical work. It’s hard to fake that.
Q: Have you ever been afraid to take a risk?
All the time. Anyone who says otherwise isn’t being real. When I took over MX Properties in 1993, I was 22. I had education but not much experience. I remember sitting in an unfinished office, second-guessing everything. But I also knew I could outlast the pressure if I stayed disciplined.
Q: What’s something you do when you’re stuck or unsure of a decision?
I build something. Usually a scale model—doesn’t have to be related to work. Just something detailed. It gives me space to think without trying too hard. And usually, the answer shows up when I stop looking directly at it.
Q: What advice would you give someone afraid to start?
Forget about starting “big.” Start local. Start small. I built everything in the same town I grew up in. That gave me an edge—I knew the roads, the people, the problems. You don’t have to build a brand. You have to build trust. And you do that by being consistent.
Q: What’s one decision that helped shape your success the most?
Not expanding too fast. We had chances to stretch into other counties early on. Everyone was telling me to go statewide. But I stayed focused on what I could see and feel. That slower growth meant fewer errors, and deeper community ties.
Q: How do you know when an idea is worth the risk?
If it still makes sense after a few days of thinking slowly about it. I’m not impressed by energy in the first 10 minutes. I want to see if it still feels right on paper, in quiet moments, or after I’ve walked around it a while. That’s how I test my gut.
Q: What do you hope people take from your journey?
That you don’t have to shout to be heard. That good work speaks over time. And that you don’t need to follow trends to be successful—you just need to understand yourself and honour that.
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