Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mark O'Neill, owner of O'Neill Media, located in Rimpar, Bayern, Germany.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The business is a web content agency that covers articles, content writing, copy editing, and various other services which are useful to businesses. This includes creating Wikipedia pages, Google my Business profiles, Facebook pages, other social media accounts, WhatsApp Business, and so on. Many businesses are totally unaware of most of this stuff and how it works, so we set it all up for them. In some cases, we just teach someone at the company how to run it on a day-to-day basis. Many people are taken aback by online services that are staring them in the face, yet they are not aware they exist.
Tell us about yourself
I have been professionally writing since 2004 in various industries, but mainly on the subject of the internet and tech. I developed a chronic illness in 2004, which forced me to go self-employed, and writing is what I'm good at (I am the author of 17 bestselling spy fiction novels). I've worked for multiple tech websites, been the managing editor of quite a few of them, and now I've opened O'Neill Media to provide those services I've just told you about.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being able to spend more time with my wife and my dog. The death of my grandparents reminded me that life is very short, so being able to work from home and dictate my own hours means I get to spend more time with the ones I love. When I decide to clock off, then I do. Nobody can tell me to get back to work.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The financial insecurity. I discovered long ago that clients promise the world and then disappear very quickly. They are also not so quick to pay their invoices. Finding clients can also be a slog sometimes.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The internet has made things a lot easier in terms of finding your ideal clients. So I would say to network relentlessly on places like LinkedIn and get your name out there. Second, build a brand and stick to it (company name, logo, colors, etc.). Third, it's going to take time to gain traction, so keep hustling and don't get knocked back too much by rejection. Dust yourself off and keep going. Eventually, you'll strike gold. It's just a matter of playing the odds.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://oneillmedia.eu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oneillmedia.eu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneillmedia_eu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oneillmedia_eu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oneill-media/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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