Built by Veterans.
Driven by Results.

We are a full-service marketing agency built by veterans, for veterans, associations, and mission-driven organizations.

Our Story

Close Quarters was founded by Marine Corps Infantry Veteran Ethan Gardner, who spent a decade in the marketing and advertising industry after being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 2015. During that time, he dedicated thousands of volunteer hours supporting veteran non-profits throughout his community in South Carolina—mentoring founders, helping shape messaging, and building campaigns that moved the needle for the organizations he believed in.

Through that work, Ethan saw a pattern—one that would ultimately define the purpose of Close Quarters.

Three Truths Became Impossible to Ignore

1. Every military and veteran non-profit, association, and business has a mission worth telling.

Their stories were powerful. Their impact was real. Their communities were loyal. What they lacked was a way to be seen, heard, and understood in a crowded digital world.

2. Most couldn't afford the price tag of major marketing agencies.

Traditional firms priced out the very organizations that needed them most. Budgets were tight. Teams were small. Every dollar had to deliver a return.

3. Leadership often lacked access to modern marketing expertise.

These organizations were run by patriots—men and women who knew how to fight, lead, and serve… but weren't trained in digital strategy, automation, or the kind of marketing infrastructure that builds sustainable growth.

So We Build Something New

A different kind of agency.

One that leverages AI, automation, and military-grade operational discipline to deliver enterprise-level marketing capability at a fraction of the cost.

One that understands the culture, language, and values of the community it serves—because it comes from that community.

One that gives organizations run by service members and veterans the same strategic advantage enjoyed by multi-million-dollar companies.

Our Mission

To equip military and veteran organizations with the modern marketing firepower they've never had access to—but have always deserved.

We translate complex marketing strategy into clear, actionable plans using the same principles Marines rely on in the field: simplicity, clarity, speed, and execution.

Because the people who sacrificed for this nation shouldn't have to sacrifice effective marketing.