- Emma Rosenberg

When Maksym Marshchivskyy looks back at his path from Ukraine to Los Angeles, it is more than a story of relocation. It is the evolution of an entrepreneur who transformed local retail ideas into international business models, and then expanded his influence into mentorship, sport, and community leadership. His journey reflects a central belief: that business can be both a driver of profit and a catalyst for social change.

From Retail Disruptor to Market Leader

In Ukraine, Marshchivskyy built his reputation as the founder of Selecto Market, a new-format grocery chain that redefined the retail experience. Instead of traditional markets, Selecto introduced curated assortments, streamlined layouts, and a franchise model that allowed rapid expansion. Within a short time, it became a recognized player in FMCG, drawing attention for its ability to combine efficiency with customer-centric design.

Before Selecto, Marshchivskyy worked at every level of Ukraine’s first supermarket chain, Furshet, which gave him hands-on understanding of operations, procurement, and customer dynamics—an experience that shaped his later innovations.

“Retail should not only be about transactions,” he often says. “It should also shape how people experience community and quality of life.”
This philosophy set the stage for his next chapter.

Transitioning to the U.S. Market

Relocating to Los Angeles, Marshchivskyy brought his experience to a new environment. The challenges of migration did not slow him down; instead, they inspired him to adapt European retail and management concepts to the American market. He co-founded Peaky Sticks Billiards & Lounge, which soon evolved into the official base of ABPF activities and a business incubator where immigrant entrepreneurs, athletes, and cultural leaders meet, compete, and collaborate. He also launched Mr. Hot, a fast-food project rooted in community marketing, and built Ukrainian Hills, a business club that helps immigrant entrepreneurs integrate and grow in the U.S. by adapting proven European retail and business practices to the American market.

Alongside these ventures, he expanded into consulting, advising small businesses on franchising, retail formats, and entry strategies for competitive markets. For many Ukrainian entrepreneurs arriving in America, he became a first point of contact — someone who could translate experience into practical guidance.

Business Meets Sports

One of the most distinctive aspects of Marshchivskyy’s career is how he connects business with sports. As Vice President and co-founder of the American Billiards Pyramid Federation (ABPF), he developed statutes, a judging system, and the first national tournament calendar for this niche sport in the U.S.
In 2025, he organized the first U.S. Championship in billiards pyramid, complete with professional referees, a results registry, and video coverage. He also secured a memorandum with the European Pyramid Federation (EPF), laying the groundwork for a new international federation to replace the legacy systems disrupted by war and geopolitical isolation.

His philosophy is clear: “It’s not just about popularization. It’s about saving a sport that lost its global system after the war. And the U.S. can be the foundation for its revival.”
Through ABPF, Marshchivskyy is creating a sustainable, financially independent model where sports federations operate like entrepreneurial ecosystems — financially resilient, community-driven, and open to new generations.

Mentorship and Public Engagement

Marshchivskyy’s influence extends beyond his own businesses. He served as a jury member of the Ukrainian Business Award (2023–2024), evaluating entrepreneurs in categories such as innovation and consulting. His role as a judge highlighted his standing as both a practitioner and a strategist.
In the U.S., he frequently speaks at community events and business clubs, sharing insights on retail transformation, franchising, and leadership. He positions mentorship not as charity but as a strategic multiplier: by guiding others, he indirectly expands the ecosystem of innovators around him.

In 2024–2025, Marshchivskyy held mentorship workshops for youth athletes and immigrant founders in Los Angeles, including programs co-organized with cultural nonprofits and sports clubs.

His consulting approach is practical, rooted in years of hands-on experience. “Theory is important,” he explains, “but what entrepreneurs really need are models they can test tomorrow morning.”

Awards and Recognition

Marshchivskyy’s credibility has been reinforced by national and international recognition. He received the Award for High Reputation (2021), presented by Standard Chartered Rating (SCR GmbH) and the International Rating Association with EU and HK support, for integrity and transparency in business.
The same year, he was honored with the title “Leader of Entrepreneurship of Ukraine – 2021”, awarded by the Assembly of Business Circles of Ukraine, for his achievements in retail innovation, job creation, and the promotion of business reputation on the international stage.
These awards are not just trophies; they are markers of a professional ethos that combines business innovation with public responsibility.

Family and Social Impact

Marshchivskyy’s concept of leadership is not limited to boardrooms and clubs. As a father, he mentors his two sons — both nationally ranked swimmers in the U.S. His elder son, Maks, at 11, is ranked among the Top-15 swimmers nationwide and is a champion in California. His younger son, Danylo, at 8, already ranks in the Top-5 nationally and has won multiple titles, including the Most Dedicated Award.
By supporting their development, he illustrates what he calls “family leadership” — building culture and discipline through example. For him, sport is not only competition but also a tool for instilling resilience and vision.

From Innovator to Mentor

Looking across continents, Marshchivskyy’s career embodies a progression: startup founder, retail disruptor, sports leader, community mentor. Each chapter has expanded the scale of his impact, from customers in Ukrainian supermarkets to athletes in U.S. tournaments, from young entrepreneurs to immigrant business owners.
In BizFortune’s lens, his story is a case study in how entrepreneurship can evolve into mentorship — and how mentorship, in turn, multiplies influence across sectors.
As he puts it: “Business at its best is not about building empires for yourself. It’s about creating structures where others can rise, too. That is how you shape societies.”
For Marshchivskyy, the journey is ongoing. From retail aisles to billiards halls, from startup strategy to family sports mentoring, he continues to craft a model where business and social change are inseparable. And in doing so, he demonstrates that leadership across continents is less about geography than about vision. His work today bridges two continents—Europe and America—through both sport diplomacy and business innovation.