“No” is Nothing

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Randall Townsel, a Chicago-based real estate developer, shares his journey from a young, ambitious athlete to a resilient entrepreneur and business owner. Having completed over 750 residential and commercial projects, Randall’s story is defined by pivotal moments, a relentless drive for autonomy, and a mindset shaped by adversity and perseverance.

“No” is Nothing

If you are a salesperson or a school teacher trying to quiet down a class, don't accept “no”. Getting a “no” means you are getting closer to ‘yes’.

Early Drive for Entrepreneurship

From a young age, Townsel was drawn to entrepreneurship, motivated by the desire for freedom and control over his own schedule. He aspired to a lifestyle where he could be in charge of his time, even though he didn’t have direct examples of entrepreneurs in his community.

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“I'm going to build my tallest building. I'm not worried about what everybody else is doing. I've got to build my tallest building.”

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Pivotal Life Experience

While at university, Townsel pursued a professional football career. His trajectory changed dramatically after a near-death experience: he was caught in a drive-by shooting. This incident led to a profound mindset shift, making him value life more deeply and motivating him to make the most of his time.

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“If I want something, I’m going to do the dang thing, and it doesn’t matter who I’m lining up against.”

— Randall Townsel

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Resilience and Adaptability

After the shooting ended his football ambitions, Townsel quickly pivoted to the corporate world, leveraging an internship at IBM. He credits his upbringing and sports background for his resilience, allowing him to bounce back and pursue new opportunities.

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“There's a lot more out there and you just keep throwing at the wall...something's gonna stick.”

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Real Estate Career

Townsel’s entry into real estate was sparked by a book his cousin gave him about buying and selling property, and an opportunity to work with a community organization in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. This set the foundation for his extensive career in real estate development.

• What was your dream as a kid?

  A professional football player.

• Why did you want to be an entrepreneur?

  As a young person, I always wanted to have autonomy of my time.

• What books would you recommend to other entrepreneurs?

  • The Magic of Thinking Big

  • How Successful People Lead

  • The Secret

  • Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Randall Townsel’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering self-motivation. His journey from aspiring athlete to successful real estate developer is marked by a refusal to let setbacks define him, and a relentless focus on building his own path regardless of external circumstances.

More of Randall Townsel on LinkedIn and his company website.