About
I love to help B2B startup and early stage tech companies position for success by getting their marketing fundamentals right. It's often not easy for companies to do this for themselves. There may be blindspots, missing pieces, stretched or inexperienced staff. Sometimes you are so close to your own situation that it's challenging to know where to begin.
I've been in your shoes and I can help. I approach each client with empathy because I understand the challenges of building a successful business from the ground up.
I know how to link marketing to your business goals, resources, timeframe, and budget. My goal is to help you get your marketing moving - better, faster, and cheaper than you can do on your own.
If you're a B2B startup or early stage tech company looking to get your marketing fundamentals right and position yourself for success, I can help you.
Neal Hartsell
Founder and President
Experience and Expertise
I've spent over 30 years in product management, product marketing and digital marketing across a variety of networking and security solutions. I've been fortunate to work for companies of every stage and size - from large corporations like Cisco, 3Com, and Northern Telecom, to early stage & midsize companies like ECI Telecom, Crossroads, TippingPoint, RGB Networks, NSS Labs, Netgate, to startups like NetSpeed, Surgient Networks, RipCode, and Click Security.
I've lived and worked in three states (North Carolina, Florida, and Texas), traveled the world (some 37 countries) and most of the US, and worked with and for numerous high-caliber people, leaders, mentors, and industry shapers - especially during the formative years of the internet. That includes reporting directly to 15 different CEOs, and serving five Boards of Directors across public, private, and venture-backed companies. In addition to direct ownership for strategic marketing, product management, product marketing, and digital marketing, I've recruited, built, and managed multiple marketing departments.
As a consultant, I've had the pleasure of serving over a dozen clients in the security, networking, fintech, and video transcoding market spaces.
My technology experience includes PSTN, ISDN, Frame Relay, ATM, IP and xDSL for networking and IPS, NBAD, Security Analytics, Firewall, VPN, MDR, EDR, FDR for security. I have experience deploying cloud solutions on AWS/Azure and working with open/closed-source SW, appliances, and platforms.
I'm able to execute with and through in-house teams and/or external agencies. As well, I'm fully capable of (and enjoy) rolling up my sleeves and operating in SWAT-team fashion. I can conduct research; form detailed strategic and execution plans; run the numbers; plan, develop, and execute go-to-market content; and build marketing ops/tech stacks.
I hold an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BS in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University.
If you're looking for a consultant who can bring top to bottom experience, strategic thinking, and hands-on execution to your business, let's talk!