Welcome back to the Link Live Podcast, presented by Link Creative. This week, we are broadcasting from our headquarters at Link Label Studios for Episode 13. Host Lorenzo Costa, CEO of Link Creative, is joined by Sharif Maadi, better known as “Chicago’s Lawyer,” and the President/CEO of Maadi Law.

Sharif is a powerhouse in the personal injury space, having transitioned from a dedicated law clerk to the founder of a seven-figure firm in just under two years. Fresh off a massive 2025 - where he secured over $4 million in settlements across 200+ won cases - Sharif joins the pod to pull back the curtain on the reality of the legal profession, the grit required to build a brand from scratch, and the mindset of a high-stakes litigator.

Inside the Episode:
In this conversation, Lorenzo and Sharif break down the journey from a disciplined upbringing to scaling a modern law firm:

• The “Lawyer” Stigma: Sharif addresses mainstream misconceptions about the legal profession and explains the grueling “grunt work” and problem-solving required to succeed.
• The Entrepreneurial Jump: How Sharif leveraged 43 pending cases and a “laser focus” on experience to launch Maadi Law without a safety net.
• High-Stakes Risk: A look into the personal injury model, where the firm fronts all costs and only gets paid if they win - including the story of a recent $750,000 settlement for a motorcycle accident victim.
• Scaling Through Digital: The strategy behind the “Chicago’s Lawyer” persona and how radical transparency and education on social media drive business growth.
• The Blueprint for 2026: Sharif shares his methods for goal setting (and manifesting), from hiring a dream team to transitioning from renting to owning his office space.

“Something could be simple but still hard and not easy. Working out is simple: eat healthy, go to the gym. But it’s very hard to do. Business is the same way.”

- Sharif Maadi

SHARIF MAADI | MAADI LAW
Instagram: @chicagoslawyer
Facebook: @chicagoslawyer
TikTok: @chicagoslawyer
Website: https://linkcreativeco.com
YT | / @linkcreativeco
Instagram | / linkcreativeco
TikTok | / linkcreativeco
LinkedIn | / linkcreativeco

Welcome back to the Link Live Podcast, presented by Link Creative. This week, we are back with another installment from our brand-new headquarters at Link Label Studios. For Episode 12, host Lorenzo Costa, CEO of Link Creative, is joined by Kyle Barrera, Founder and CEO of Axel Luxury.

Kyle spent nearly a decade navigating the corporate tech sales landscape before making the ultimate "entrepreneurial jump," famously wiping out his 401k to acquire his first Lamborghini Urus and launch Chicago’s leading exotic car rental agency. In this episode, Lorenzo and Kyle explore the mechanics of high-stakes risk-taking, the mindset required to move from employee to founder, and the unique challenges of pioneering the luxury vehicle market in the Midwest.

They dive deep into the importance of disciplined operations, the strategy of managing investor-owned vehicles, and how Kyle uses radical transparency through documentation to build a brand that resonates with professional athletes and entrepreneurs alike. Whether you are an aspiring founder or a business leader looking to understand how to leverage personal branding to scale, this episode offers a masterclass in building a business through risk, grit, and consistency.

Subscribe to the Link Live Podcast for more conversations with industry leaders at the intersection of business, creativity, and innovation.

KYLE BARRERA | AXEL LUXURY

Website: axelluxury.com

Instagram: @axelluxury

TikTok: @axelluxury

Personal IG: @bigkb23

LINK CREATIVE

Website: https://linkcreativeco.com

YT | / @linkcreativeco

INSTAGRAM | / linkcreativeco

TIKTOK | / linkcreativeco

Welcome back to the Link Live Podcast, presented by Link Creative. After a short hiatus, we are officially back and broadcasting from our brand-new headquarters at Link Label Studios. To kick off this new season, host Lorenzo Costa, CEO of Link Creative, sits down with Ren Thompson, Founder of Ren Private Jewelers.

Ren has spent a decade navigating the jewelry industry, moving from the floor of big-box retailers to building a thriving, seven-figure private jewelry business in the heart of downtown Chicago. In this episode, Lorenzo and Ren explore the grit required to make the "entrepreneurial jump," the transition from employee to founder, and the unique challenges of serving high-profile clients including athletes, celebrities, and entertainers.

They dive deep into the importance of discipline, the strategy of data-driven networking, and how Ren intertwines fashion, art, and hospitality to create a luxury client experience that digital-first startups simply can't replicate. Whether you’re an aspiring founder or a business leader looking to refine your client experience, this episode offers a masterclass in building a brand through trust, taste, and consistency.

Subscribe to the Link Live Podcast for more conversations with industry leaders at the intersection of business, creativity, and innovation.

REN THOMPSON | REN PRIVATE JEWELERS

REN PRIVATE JEWELERS:

• Website: renprivatejewelers.com
• Instagram: @renprivatejewelers

REN THOMPSON:

• Instagram: @rncck

LINK CREATIVE

• Website: linkcreativeco.com
• YouTube: @LINKCREATIVECO
• Instagram: @LINKCREATIVECO
• TikTok: @LINKCREATIVECO