We recently had the chance to connect with Mike Magolnick and have shared our conversation below.
Mike, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, no two days look exactly the same, but there are a few constants. Most mornings I’m on calls with partners or consultants, talking through ideas, collaborations, and ways we can help businesses grow with Zaivio. After that, a lot of my time goes into the creative side — developing new apps, improving the ones we already have, and making sure our Rewards Management System is running smoothly. That part is exciting because it’s where we see the impact of what we’re building in real time.
Outside of work, I keep a strong focus on family and faith. Those two things really ground me. I make it a point to carve out time for my family every day, and my faith is what gives me perspective when everything feels fast-paced and demanding. It’s a busy season, but it’s also a fulfilling one.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Mike Magolnick, the founder and CEO of Zaivio. Over the last year, I’ve built more than two dozen AI-based applications designed specifically for small businesses and entrepreneurs. From there, I built a company around those tools, not just as standalone apps, but as part of a larger ecosystem that helps people plan, market, and grow their businesses more effectively.
What makes Zaivio different is how far we’ve taken the idea of accessibility and value. We tokenized the company and created a rewards program that, frankly, nobody else in the world can compete with – literally paying people to use the app suite. On top of that, we launched a consultant program that gives everyday people the chance to earn a serious income working in AI, along with a comprehensive partner program that creates even more opportunities to grow.
At the heart of it, Zaivio is about using innovation to open doors. We’re building tools and systems that empower people, whether they’re running a business, consulting, or partnering with us to achieve things they never thought possible.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work was my dad. He passed away two years ago, but his example still guides me every day. He was the definition of perseverance. When times were tough, he didn’t complain or slow down — he worked harder. Sometimes that meant holding down multiple jobs and putting in 80-hour weeks just to make sure the family was taken care of.
Watching him, I learned that real work ethic is about love and responsibility. He showed me that you don’t give up when things get difficult — you push through because people are counting on you. That lesson has stayed with me, and it’s the foundation of how I approach both my life and my work today.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a point, not too long ago, when I really questioned if I could keep going. Building Zaivio wasn’t just about creating a few apps — it was about building a company, an ecosystem, and a vision that hadn’t been done before. And in those early stages, when resources were stretched and the path forward wasn’t always clear, it would have been easy to just stop.
What kept me from giving up was knowing how much was on the line. I’ve been through enough ventures to understand that success isn’t just about having a good idea — it’s about timing, execution, and resilience. And beyond the business mechanics, I thought about all the people who were counting on me: my family, who has always been my anchor, and the many people who have supported me through recent ventures that I carried along with me into Zaivio. They believed in me, and I couldn’t let them down.
In the end, those moments of doubt became a turning point. Instead of backing away, I doubled down. I focused on the fundamentals of building a successful business and leaned into the timing of where AI was headed. That’s what pushed Zaivio from an idea into a living, growing company — and it’s why I don’t see quitting as part of the equation anymore.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I think the key to telling the difference between a fad and a true shift is asking whether it changes behavior in a lasting way. A fad might be flashy and exciting, but it fades as quickly as it arrives because it doesn’t really solve a problem or improve people’s lives. A foundational shift, on the other hand, is almost quiet at first. It takes root because it becomes part of how people actually work, live, or interact.
When I look at new technologies or trends, I ask myself: Will this still matter in five or ten years? Does it actually create value beyond the hype? If the answer is yes, then I know it’s worth leaning into. That’s exactly what I saw with AI. A lot of people treated it like a passing wave, but to me, it was clear it was going to fundamentally change the way businesses operate. That’s why I committed to building Zaivio around it.
Another big part of it is timing. You can recognize a real shift, but if you move too early or too late, you miss the impact. For me, it was about trusting the timing, building responsibly, and listening closely to the needs of small businesses. That’s how you filter out the noise of trends and zero in on the things that truly last.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people don’t just remember what I built, but how I lived. I want them to say that my life was anchored in faith and family, because those two things have always been my foundation. No matter how busy or demanding my work has been, I’ve always tried to put God and family first.
I also hope people see me as someone who never quit — someone who could pivot when the path wasn’t clear and still find a way forward. Business can be unpredictable, and there were plenty of times I had to adapt quickly or rethink a plan. But the constant was that I didn’t give up.
Most of all, I want the story to be that I took care of the people around me. From my family to the colleagues, partners, and supporters who put their trust in me, I’ve always felt a responsibility to make sure they were supported and valued. If people remember me as a man of faith, a devoted family leader, someone who stayed resilient in tough times, and someone who looked out for others — then I’ll feel like I left the right kind of legacy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zaivio.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/zaivioai
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zaivio
- Twitter: https://x.com/zaivioai
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaivioai
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Zaivio
