David Dodd O’Neal is a driven MBA candidate and consultant based in Los Angeles, California. Born on February 17, 1987, in Raleigh, North Carolina, David’s early life in his family’s automotive dealership fostered his passion for sales and business development. He attended Ole Miss, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration, and is currently pursuing his MBA at Pepperdine University in Malibu.
Professionally, David began his career in the southeast United States, working in digital marketing and TV advertising. His career trajectory shifted when he joined Procore, a Santa Barbara-based software startup. His tenure there was marked by significant milestones, including the company’s public offering, an experience that profoundly influenced his career aspirations.
David’s interests have increasingly focused on health, wellness, and fitness. An avid runner, he logs about 30 miles each week along the picturesque beaches of Santa Monica, complementing his physical activities with skiing and snowboarding during the winter months across Utah and Northern California.
Recently married, David and his wife are expecting their first child in August, 2024. This new chapter in his life aligns with his professional pivot towards launching a business centered on health and wellness, aiming to integrate his expertise in sales and marketing with his passion for personal development and well-being. Through this venture, David is committed to helping others achieve their health goals while promoting a lifestyle that balances success with personal fulfillment.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day typically starts with an early morning run along the beach, which helps me clear my mind and set a positive tone for the day. I spend my mornings focused on my MBA coursework at Pepperdine, ensuring I stay ahead of my studies. In the afternoons, I work on my health-focused startup, applying what I’ve learned in my MBA program. I make my day productive by maintaining a strict schedule and setting clear goals for each day, which helps me stay focused and efficient.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life by first thoroughly researching and brainstorming potential solutions that align with current market needs. I then create a detailed, actionable plan and start small, testing ideas through prototypes or beta versions. Gathering feedback is crucial, so I engage with potential users early and often, which helps refine the idea before a full-scale launch. Collaboration with mentors and peers also plays a critical role in this process.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The integration of wellness and technology excites me greatly. The ability to track health metrics and personalize health recommendations through technology can significantly improve people’s lives. This trend has the potential to revolutionize how we approach personal health and wellness, making it more accessible and tailored to individual needs.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Running is a habit that significantly boosts my productivity. It not only improves my physical health but also sharpens my mental clarity. The discipline of running daily helps me apply the same discipline to my professional tasks, maintaining consistency and focus in all areas of my life.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to think less about following a traditional career path and more about what truly makes you feel fulfilled and happy. I’d advise focusing earlier on health, wellness, and personal development. Emphasizing these areas can lead to not just professional success but a balanced and fulfilling life.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that extreme physical exertion, like running long distances, can be more mentally beneficial than physically. Most people focus on the physical benefits, but for me, the mental clarity and resilience built through pushing physical limits are invaluable.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Meditation is something I do regularly and recommend everyone try. It helps reduce stress, improves focus, and enhances overall emotional health. Even a few minutes a day can make a significant difference in managing daily pressures and boosting personal well-being.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I’ll meditate for a short period to reset my mind. Discussing my thoughts with my wife or a close colleague can also provide new perspectives and solutions, helping me tackle the issue more effectively.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Networking has been a crucial strategy for me. Building a robust network has opened doors to opportunities and provided me with valuable insights and advice. In my career shift from advertising to software, and now to my startup, leveraging my connections has allowed me to learn quickly and gain crucial support. Engaging regularly with industry peers through events and online forums keeps me connected and informed.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
A significant failure in my career was experiencing a panic attack during a major client presentation. It was a wake-up call about my health and work-life balance. I overcame this by shifting my career towards a field I’m passionate about—health and wellness—and prioritizing daily exercise and meditation. The lesson was clear: success isn’t just about professional achievements; personal well-being is equally important.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A business idea I’m excited about is developing a wellness app that combines mental health, physical health, and nutrition tailored to individual needs using AI. This app would offer personalized daily routines, tracking, and adjustments based on user feedback and progress, essentially acting as a digital wellness coach.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Trello is a piece of software that boosts my productivity. I use it to organize tasks, track project progress, and manage deadlines across all aspects of my MBA studies and startup. It’s incredibly user-friendly and adaptable, allowing me to maintain focus and prioritize effectively, ensuring that I’m always aware of my most urgent tasks.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
A book that has been incredibly impactful for me is “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. It offers practical advice on small changes that lead to remarkable results. This book has helped me understand the power of habits in achieving long-term goals, which is essential both in my personal life and as I build my startup.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Recently, I enjoyed the series “Billions.” It’s a drama about power dynamics, strategy, and high finance. Not only is it entertaining, but it also provides insights into decision-making, risk management, and the complexities of leadership—all relevant to my interests in business and personal development.
Key learnings
- Balancing Priorities: David Dodd O’Neal prioritizes his health and well-being alongside his professional growth, integrating daily runs and meditation into his schedule to maintain focus and productivity.
- Embracing Change and Resilience: Through personal setbacks like a career-threatening panic attack, David learned to realign his career path to better match his passions for health and wellness, demonstrating the importance of resilience and adaptability in achieving career satisfaction and personal health.
- Continuous Learning and Networking: David highlights the significance of continuous learning and networking as key strategies that have advanced his career and helped him transition successfully from digital marketing to launching his own startup. Engaging with a strong network and staying informed are critical to his ongoing success and innovation.