Meet Gary Thorn
Owner Of Up The Brand
My Story
See The Kinds\ Of Difference 20 Years of Experience Makes
Hey, my name is Gary Thorn and thanks for visiting. I’ve called the Baltimore area home for nearly my entire life. Growing up in the small town of Sparrows Point in Baltimore County, I discovered my passion for technology early on. My career started as building websites in high school for a small CCTV Company. This has evolved into over 20 years of experience helping businesses succeed online.
In 2022, I moved to Harford County with my wife, expanding my roots deeper into the communities I serve. I understand the unique challenges facing Maryland businesses. That’s because I’ve lived here, worked here, and built relationships here.
My History
From Developer to Marketing Expert
My career has taken me through every aspect of finding business success on the web. By being a designer who could code I worked my way up through agencies, startups, and federal contractors. Some of my work has been with major companies such as 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. I’ve worked on cutting-edge projects that required both technical expertise and creative problem solving under tight deadlines.
Here’s what sets me apart. While I was building websites and implementing marketing campaigns for others, I was also learning the business side. I take the time to understand the business first and how to apply a strategic approach to help businesses scale. I take the time to understand not just how to build these systems, but how to make them drive real results for businesses like yours.
Some Of Our Clients
Some of the clients I’ve been proud to serve at Up The Brand.
Work With Me Directly
Why I Work Independently
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I found myself at a crossroads. I realized I could provide better service working directly with business owners. While I occasionally subcontract certain specific tasks, if you are working with Up The Brand you’re working with me directly.
You don’t have to sift through layers of account managers and junior staff. Every project gets my attention and my 20 years of experience behind it. You get the expertise of someone who’s worked on Fortune 500 projects, but with the personal attention and competitive pricing that only a solo practitioner can provide.
I typically work with around 10 clients at a time. This means each business gets focused attention rather than being just another account number.
My Approach
It’s My Process That Sets Up The Brand Apart From Others
The digital marketing industry has a problem: too many providers charge small businesses for work that doesn’t bring results. Slow websites, SEO with no measurable impact, social media management that generates no customers. I’ve seen it all.
My approach is different. I understand the complete lifecycle of branding, web design, search engine optimization, and search based advertising. More importantly, I put in place quality control that other providers often skip. Every website loads fast, every campaign is measurable, and every strategy is designed to actually grow your business.
I can offer this level of service at competitive rates because I don’t have the overhead of a large team or an expensive office space. It’s just me, delivering enterprise-level work at prices that make sense for local businesses.
Beyond Business
Get To Know The Real Person Behind Your Work
When I’m not helping businesses grow, you’ll find me exploring Maryland’s incredible diversity. My wife and I like camping anywhere from near the Chesapeake Bay to some of the Western Maryland mountains. I’m passionate about live music and spent my twenties and thirties attending hundreds of shows, mostly supporting local Baltimore bands. I also love cooking and experimenting with new recipes.
I’ve also spent some years in various kinds of martial arts and am passionate about martial arts history as well as it’s practical application.
Now That You Know a Bit About Me, Let’s Work Together!
Get your FREE comprehensive analysis of your online presence. We’ll show you exactly what’s holding your business back and give you a roadmap to fix it. We’ll also give you the first 30 minutes of fixes at no charge.
