If you had asked Gary M. Ellis 15 years ago what he’d be doing for a living, financial planning wouldn’t have even been on his radar. Born and raised in Heathsville, VA, Gary grew up thinking he’d take over his dad’s small landscaping business. But life, as it often does, had other plans.
“It all started when Dad handed me the books one summer,” Gary explained. “I realized we were spending more on gas for the lawnmowers than we were making on some jobs. That’s when I started diving into budgets, investments, and anything that could help us stay afloat. By the end of the summer, I had us in the black.”
The thrill of untangling financial knots stuck with Gary. After college, he pivoted to financial planning, determined to help families and small businesses manage their money better.
The Rocky Road to Success
But becoming a financial planner in a small town like Heathsville wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.
“For starters, people here don’t trust you right away,” Gary said. “They think, ‘What’s this guy going to tell me that I don’t already know?’”
Gary spent years building trust in his community, going to every barbecue, town hall meeting, and church event he could. “I swear, I handed out more business cards than a Vegas magician,” he joked.
Even with a solid client base, growth was slow. Competitors with flashier marketing budgets were scooping up potential clients. Gary tried everything: radio ads, social media campaigns, even a free financial seminar at the library.
“Two people showed up,” Gary groaned. “And one of them thought it was a couponing class.”
A Chance Encounter
Gary was just about ready to accept that his business would grow at a snail’s pace when a chance conversation changed everything.
“I was at this small business networking event,” Gary recalled. “It was one of those deals where you slap on a name tag and pray someone interesting sits next to you.”
That someone turned out to be Lisa, a real estate agent from Richmond.
“Lisa was raving about how her sales had exploded in the past year,” Gary said. “When I asked her how, she just grinned and said, ‘Marketing Boost.’”
“What’s Marketing Boost?” Gary asked, intrigued.
“It’s an incentive marketing platform,” Lisa explained. “I use it to offer my clients perks—things like free vacations and dining vouchers—when they close a deal with me. It’s made me the talk of the town.”
Gary was skeptical. “Free vacations? That sounds like one of those scams you see in spam emails.”
Lisa laughed. “That’s what I thought at first, too. But it’s legit. You pay a small subscription fee, and they provide the perks. It’s a win-win. My clients feel like VIPs, and I close more deals.”
Taking the Leap
Back in his office, Gary couldn’t stop thinking about what Lisa had said. Could incentives work for financial planning? After a late-night dive into Marketing Boost’s website, he decided to give it a shot.
“Worst case, I’d be out a little money,” Gary thought. “Best case, I’d finally have something to compete with the big guys.”
Turning Skeptics into Clients
Gary started small, offering a complimentary three-night vacation to new clients who signed up for a full financial planning package.
“I’ll admit, I was nervous,” Gary said. “I thought people might think it was a gimmick.”
But to his surprise, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
“The first call I got was from a couple who’d been on the fence about hiring me for months,” Gary said. “The wife literally said, ‘Wait, so we get financial advice and a vacation? Where do we sign?’”
Within weeks, Gary had a dozen new clients. Word spread fast in Heathsville, and suddenly, Gary’s phone was ringing off the hook.
Why It Worked
Gary quickly realized why incentive marketing was such a game-changer for his business.
- It broke the ice: “Money is a sensitive topic,” Gary explained. “The vacation offer helped people feel like they were getting something fun out of what can be a stressful process.”
- It added value: “Clients felt like they were getting more than just advice—they were getting an experience.”
- It created buzz: “People started talking about me in ways they never had before. I went from ‘that financial guy’ to ‘the financial guy who gives you a free trip.’”
Growing Pains
Of course, success came with its own set of challenges.
“There was a week where I thought I’d have to hire a second office manager just to keep up with the inquiries,” Gary laughed. “And my wife had to remind me to take a break because I was on the phone until 10 p.m. every night.”
But Gary wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Busy is a good problem to have,” he said.
A Brighter Future
Now, Gary’s financial planning business is thriving. He’s expanded his services, added a part-time assistant, and even started hosting packed financial wellness seminars—complete with giveaways, of course.
“Marketing Boost didn’t just help me grow my business,” Gary said. “It helped me redefine it. I’m not just a financial planner; I’m someone who helps people achieve their dreams, both financially and personally.”
Gary’s Advice
When asked what advice he’d give to other small business owners, Gary didn’t hesitate.
“Don’t be afraid to try something new,” he said. “I was skeptical about incentive marketing at first, but it turned out to be the best decision I ever made for my business.”
He grinned. “And if you’re still not convinced, give me a call. I’ll show you the numbers.”
Ready to Transform Your Business?
If you’re ready to stand out in your industry and attract more clients, it’s time to try Marketing Boost.
With high-value incentives like free vacations, dining vouchers, and more, you can add value to your services, close more deals, and grow your business—just like Gary did.