My story

Hey, my name is Gary Thorn. Thanks for visiting. I have called the Baltimore area home for nearly my entire life. I grew up in Sparrows Point in Baltimore County and found technology early. My career started in high school, building websites for a small CCTV company. That grew into over 20 years helping businesses succeed online.

In 2022 I moved to Harford County with my wife. I understand the challenges facing Maryland businesses because I have lived here, worked here, and built relationships here. I am a proud member of the Harford County Chamber of Commerce.

From developer to marketing expert

I worked my way up through agencies, startups, and federal contractors as a designer who could code. Projects have included work connected to Verizon, Johns Hopkins, The Smithsonian, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

One of my proudest accomplishments was helping a small fastener company become a multimillion-dollar e-commerce brand. Along the way I learned the business side, not just the build side. Strategy first. Tactics second.

Why I work independently

When the pandemic hit in 2020, I chose to work directly with business owners. If you hire Up The Brand, you work with me. I may subcontract a narrow task now and then. The strategy and the relationship stay with me.

You get Fortune 500 caliber experience without the big-agency price tag. I typically work with around 10 clients at a time so each business gets real attention.

My process

Customer onboarding and brand questionnaire
Industry research
Evaluation of the search landscape
Custom website design
Search strategy goes live for organic search, Google Ads, or both

Beyond business

When I am not helping businesses grow, my wife and I camp around Maryland, from the Chesapeake Bay to the Western Maryland mountains. I love live music, cooking, and martial arts history and practice.