7 Lessons on Entrepreneurship and Growth from New York City

In a recent column for his Substack, entrepreneur Callum McDonnell argues that the business environment in New York City offers a necessary, transformative shift for creators and founders accustomed to more cautious, traditional markets.

McDonnell, who is based in Bristol, UK, suggests that while his home country often views entrepreneurship with skepticism or focuses on past glories, the United States—and New York specifically—fosters a culture where growth and ambition are celebrated.

The core of McDonnell’s argument rests on his recent trip to the city, where he observed a distinct “whisper” that encourages bold, unconventional business paths. He highlights the experience of Calum Johnson, a podcaster who struggled for 52 weeks with low viewership before seeing his audience explode to 900,000 views in the 53rd week.

McDonnell notes that in many other cities, such a prolonged period of stagnant growth might have led to giving up, but the persistent, high-energy environment of New York provides the necessary endurance to push through.

“In any other city in the world, he’d have given up. Today, he’s got one of the fastest growing podcasts on YouTube. That’s the New York City spirit, wrote Callum McDonnell.”

McDonnell also points to the “openness to conversation” he experienced in the city. While he initially found the American tendency to say “How you doing!” in public spaces like elevators and cafes to be a violation of personal space, he eventually viewed it as an effective mechanism for social warmth.

He cites the Fios Bros, who turned a small act of kindness—handing out blankets to homeless individuals on a cold day—into a viral project that attracted significant investment for their charity. According to McDonnell, this demonstrates that maintaining an open, positive attitude can unlock unforeseen opportunities.

Beyond cultural observations, McDonnell reflects on the fundamental mechanics of business growth. During his trip, he met with clients and partners, including Nathan Barry of Kit and industry figures like Jimmy Contrini, an alumnus of Gary Vaynerchuk’s operations and the Hormozi team.

He argues that despite the digital nature of modern commerce, the most effective business outcomes are still the result of in-person relationships built on the consistent keeping of commitments.

McDonnell emphasizes that a person’s energy dictates their professional outcomes, and that individuals have the power to define that energy themselves. He contrasts the “sleepy” nature of his summers in Greece with the frantic, industrious pace of New York, where construction, commerce, and creative pursuits are in constant motion at all hours. He encourages readers to leave their hometowns and “see the world” to break out of stagnant mindsets.

The column concludes with a practical, professional pivot. McDonnell announces that he is currently hiring for three specific roles at his company, 7xContent: a video editor, a podcast producer, and a personal brand producer.

He invites those interested in working directly with him to reach out, signaling that the lessons he learned in New York—specifically the value of being loud, building something huge, and embracing one’s unique creative identity—are the principles he intends to apply to his own business growth.