Zohran Mamdani, a socialist mayor, is learning the hard reality of governing after eight months in office. Initially dismissive of capitalism, he now faces the consequences of policies that alienated businesses and wealthy taxpayers. His administration, which once viewed businesses as an "infestation," is now actively seeking their expertise. Mamdani announced a 15-member Business Advisory Council, a stark reversal from his previous stance of taxing and regulating the private sector. This council, comprising prominent figures from finance and tech, highlights the mayor's sudden need for economic understanding. The mayor's progressive fantasies, like government-run grocery stores, have been met with resistance from existing businesses. His policies, such as the proposed pied à terre tax, prompted wealthy individuals and companies to reconsider their presence in New York. The article suggests that Mamdani's outreach is a desperate attempt to rectify his previous missteps, as several major CEOs reportedly declined invitations to join the council. Critics, while welcoming the outreach, view the quarterly-meeting council as a "performative board" rather than a genuine commitment. Mamdani's initial approach treated economic outcomes as simple political choices, ignoring the complex realities of investment, risk, and incentives. The creation of the council is an admission that his administration lacks the fundamental economic knowledge needed to sustain New York City. Ultimately, the socialist mayor is now looking to capitalists to explain how the economy actually works, a significant shift from his initial anti-business rhetoric.