Meet Alex O’neil

We recently connected with Alex O’neil and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic definitely comes from my parents. Some early careers my dad had included things like working on a church painting crew and selling lightbulbs. Nothing glamorous. But through sheer determination and grit, he’s now a successful business owner and optometrist. This remarkable transformation didn’t happen overnight; it was the result of years of hustling, learning sales and business, and unwavering commitment to his goals.

My mother’s hard work is equally significant. She never spoke too much about it, and we had to learn about major promotions (such as moving to CFO!) through my dad, but I know she is a hustler as well! One thing I do know is that she worked to help fund my dad’s dream of going to optometry school, demonstrating an incredible level of support and sacrifice.

Together, my parents exemplify the kind of work ethic that is undoubtedly instilled in me – putting in long hours, making tough decisions, and never losing sight of their aspirations. I cannot overstate how inspiring they are to me.

Growing up in this environment, it’s no wonder that I developed a strong entrepreneurial spirit and an impressive work ethic of my own. From a young age, I was always on the lookout for ways to earn money and create value (admittedly, mostly money). My ventures ranged from the classic lemonade stand to selling homemade baked goods via the Nextdoor app during holidays. I even tried my hand at creating and selling custom ornaments featuring our hometown’s name and zip code one year. Unsurprisingly, none of these made me a millionaire. In 2019, I started making some funny content on TikTok and I actually made some decent money from there (from a high schooler’s standpoint).

My entrepreneurial endeavors didn’t stop there. I offered henna services at proms and children’s birthday parties, created and sold personalized painted cards, and even ventured into the world of RedBubble stickers. I also put my skills to use by teaching tennis lessons and (attempting to) organize a summer camp focused on baking and crafts. It seemed that if there was an opportunity to make money, I was all about it.

As I got older, my ambitions grew. In high school, I took on the challenge of starting a nonprofit organization. Although I ultimately realized I was in over my head after numerous conversations with established nonprofits, this experience was invaluable. It taught me about the complexities of running an organization and the importance of thorough research and preparation.

During college, I was always working an internship. For the past 2 or 3 years, I also had an on-campus job in the Health & Well-Being Center. Senior year, I was not only a full-time student, but I was also working the on-campus job and a 25 hr/week co-op when I decided to start City on the Hill Consultancy.

Looking back, it’s clear that my parents’ exemplary work ethic and my early exposure to entrepreneurship have shaped me profoundly. Their influence has instilled in me a drive to constantly seek out opportunities, a willingness to work hard to achieve my goals, and the resilience to learn from both successes and setbacks. This foundation has been crucial in my personal and professional development, preparing me for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Alex, the founder and owner of City on the Hill Consultancy, a boutique marketing agency serving businesses across the United States. Originally from a small town in Central Massachusetts, I relocated to Charleston, SC in August 2023 (back when I was still a 9-to-5 employee!)

My small-town background instilled in me a deep appreciation for local businesses, which has significantly shaped our agency’s values and approach. City on the Hill Consultancy began by supporting extremely small, one-person operations with VERY affordable marketing solutions (note: when 3 clients give you voluntary raises, you aren’t charging enough!).

While we’ve since expanded to serve slightly larger, more established companies, we’ve maintained our commitment to providing value-driven services at competitive prices. Our core services include social media marketing (audits, ad creation, and full management), SEO (website audits and optimized content creation), and additional offerings such as email marketing, website development, print marketing solutions, and more. What sets us apart is our ability to deliver high-quality marketing services at more accessible prices than many agencies in the industry, which often require MINIMUM engagements of $1,500 to $3,000 per month.

We believe that the best marketing efforts comes from conversation, so we offer free 30-min consultations to potential clients. If you’re looking to elevate your marketing game, we’d love to chat and explore how City on the Hill Consultancy can help your business reach new heights!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve identified three key qualities that have been most impactful in my growth as an entrepreneur. These insights have shaped not only my business approach but also my personal development.

Here are the three qualities and my advice for those early in their journey:

1. Openness to Help: One of the most significant shifts in my mindset was learning to be open to help, both professionally and personally. Initially, I was a “do-it-all-myself” type of person, and I thought that I was better off doing things on my own. However, I’ve come to realize that you can go further and faster when you’re willing to take advice from others. At first, I was very resistant to the idea of having a mentor for my business, but now I can’t imagine where I’d be without one. My advice: Don’t be afraid to seek guidance and support. Mentors, advisors, and even peers can offer invaluable insights and perspectives that can accelerate your growth and help you avoid common pitfalls. If you don’t have anyone in your life who could be a mentor, reach out to someone you look up to on LinkedIn and ask if you can meet for lunch once a month on your dime – who would say no to that?

2. Authenticity: When I started City on the Hill Consultancy, I chose the name because it was a variation of a nickname for Boston. I thought this name would make my business seem more established and successful because it’s associated with a city. However, less than a year into running this business full time, I’ve realized that I should have stayed true to myself and my roots. People ultimately want to do business with people, not facades. A name like “Main Street Marketing” would have better reflected my target clients and my own background. My advice: Stay true to yourself and your values. Authenticity resonates with clients and helps build genuine connections. Don’t try to be something you’re not.

3. Not Taking Yourself Too Seriously: This is an area where I’m still growing. I tend to be guarded when meeting new people, but I’ve learned through numerous calls that business is often surprisingly informal. There’s room for fun, authenticity, and humor in professional settings. My advice: Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your business interactions. Making jokes, being relatable, and showing your human side can help build stronger relationships with clients and colleagues. Remember, while professionalism is important, it doesn’t mean you can’t be yourself.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I like to break things up into more digestible tasks.

I feel so much more motivated when I feel like I’m making progress!

Think of planning a wedding. You wouldn’t have one task that says “plan a wedding”, you would say “get flowers”, “hire a catering company”, “book a venue”, etc.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cityonthehillconsultancy.com
• Instagram: @cityconsultancy

Image Credits

Imagination’s Eye Photography