What To Say To Get Referrals: Spotlight Reveals

Think of a real client — use any first name and tell how long you’ve worked with them.

  • When they first came, what did they say they wanted from you?
  • As you continued to work with them, what outcome did you realize they trying to achieve because of your work?

Commander’s Intent is specific.

Complete this sentence in your answer: “They worked with me me so that they could __________.”

 

 

Philip Ladin

Response from Philip Ladin

from the Marietta Square Team

Sean worked with me so that he could obtain a divorce. During the divorce process he was accused of domestic violence, so my job was then to protect his rights to ensure that his custody with his sons was not affected. We worked to get the criminal case and the Temporary Protection Order dismissed. We ensured that he not only obtain the divorce, but also has full custody of his sons.

Keith Early

Response from Keith Early

from the Marietta Square Team

I have worked with my client Kevin for over twenty years.  When he first came to me, he was having trouble reconciling his bank account in QuickBooks.

Since that time, I have been preparing corporate and individual returns for him as well as many of his family members,

He works with me because he knows he can count on me to get the work done and done right.

Jon Ongtingco

Response from Jon Ongtingco

from the Cumberland Team

When I left my former employer in 2006 and started SOHO Data and Voice, my intent was to provide IT services to the smaller clients who typically couldn't get good IT support either because of cost or availability. So I chose the moniker SOHO, abbreviating Small Office Home Office, and was surprised when customers from my former employment began contacting me. Bill was one of those customers who reached out and said he had always preferred working with me when I was available because I was patient, willing to listen, and able to communicate back in a manner they could comprehend. I have moved their offices 3 times over the many years we have known each other, which included cabling the new locations for their business. I have also setup multiple computers, new networks, and I support his home network. When he decided to retire last year, I helped move important items from his office to his home and worked with him to make certain his customers could reach him at a new email address and phone number, which makes him not retired at all, really, in my opinion.

We have lunch together every other month, just to catch up.

Raymond Jackson

Response from Raymond Jackson

from the Marietta Square Team

Maria is the practice manager for a neurologoly suite that took up the entire third floor of a three story building that her residing neurologist owned. She was placed in charge of managing all the building issues and the other medical based tenants located within the facility. So, she contacted me a little over 8 years ago because of the need to have just one reliable commercial cleaning company that was also experienced with providing green cleaning solutions. After meeting and tailoring her a specific cleaning program. She introduced me to the other tenants and they all decided to use our services as well. With all of the other lists of issues within managing the building. Maria just wanted to work with me so she could have continuity with a single dependable cleaning company responsible for taking care of the entire building. And draw a line thru that item on that long list.

Dr. Branden Evans

Response from Dr. Branden Evans

from the Marietta Square Team

When James first came to me after a car accident, he said he wanted help with ongoing neck and back pain and to make sure nothing serious was overlooked. The pain was affecting his sleep, work, and day-to-day life.

As we worked together, it became clear he wanted more than just pain relief. He wanted to confidence that his body was healing properly and that the injury wouldn’t cause long-term problems or impact his ability to work.

With consistent care, education, and treatment, his pain improved and he started moving normally again. Just as important, with proper documentation of his injuries, he felt reassured knowing his recovery was being documented the right way for his attorney.

 

They worked with me so that they could recover fully and protect their health and livelihood after an accident.

Jim McKinney

Response from Jim McKinney

from the Marietta Square Team

Henry and his wife Sally first contacted me over 10 years ago to get pre-approvved for a mortgage to purchase an invesntment property,

I have now worked with Henry and his wife for over 10 years now, including multiple investment home purchases and have also helped Henry and Sally refinance their Prmary home mortgage.

What I came to realize was Henry was just looking for value and a Mortgage Broker he could trust and work with on an ongoing basis.  Henry was looking for a Mortgage Broker who was 

flexible, available and when necessary able to respond on short notice..  Through the years Henry has become a great source of referrals as he has referred multiple borrowers including his extended Family and because of Henry I have ended up doing mortgages with multiple family members all thorugout the SE United States.

 

Jon LaMonte

Response from Jon LaMonte

from the Marietta Square Team

Jeff and Karla moved into a nice home that needed several upgrades.  They wanted to remodel the master bathroom and the basement.  They were very cautious and asked a lot of questions.  Once the work began, they inspected everything very closely.  The first impression was that they were just very picky.  After working with them for a while I finally found out that they had gotten burned by a previous contractor who did poor work and didn't exactly follow his scope of work or estimate.  Since those first few projects, we have done several other large remodel projects for them.  They worked with me so that they could have a partner they knew they could trust and would deliver their vision just as they as they had pictured it.

Jessica Walker

Response from Jessica Walker

from the Peachtree City Team

My long-ago client Susan initially came to me to lose a little weight.  We did the 5-Reasons Why exercise to get to her deep reasons for wanting to go through the coaching process with me.  She had her breakthrough and found her deep reason when she said that her daughter wouldn't let her babysit the new grandbaby because she was so tired and out of shape.  That's how I knew she would be a successful coaching client.

Susan worked with me so that she would be healthy enough be a trusted caretaker of her grandbaby.

Saurel Quettan

Response from Saurel Quettan

from the Candler Park Team

When Johane first came to me, she said she wanted her team to execute better. Fewer delays. Fewer issues coming back around. Less time spent fixing the same problems.

As we worked together, it became clear that wasn’t the real outcome she was after. What she actually wanted was for work to stop following her home. She wanted the tension she endured at work to stay there.

They worked with me so that they could go home and enjoy being held by their mate again.

Tom Wallace

Response from Tom Wallace

from the Peachtree City Team

Cody came to me because his finances were a mess.  He was making good money, but really didn't know where his money was going, and he felt he needed to be in a better place with his finances than he was.

Since we began working together, he has been able to get rid of two storage units, eliminate a vehicle loan, cut his credit card debt by 2/3, and now has the margin in his budget for him and his fiancée to start looking for their first home.

Tanner Takekawa

Response from Tanner Takekawa

from the Marietta Square Team

Brian is a client that I met 3 years ago. When we initially met, we sat down to talk about what kind of jobs he generally needs done, and I talked about my process to ensure him I would do a great job. Brian is a very busy man and he manages over 40 properties across Georgia.  Brian works with me so that he can continue to to stay focused on his development and spend less time worrying about the work that he needs done. Brian knows that I am going to do the job and do the job right, so that he can spend less time coordinating work being done at his properties. 

Mr. Karey Rivers III

Response from Mr. Karey Rivers III

from the Marietta Square Team

I have a client by the name of Melissa. I have been working with her now for about two weeks. She "worked with me so she could get some life insurance at the request of her grandfahter."  However, as she began to have more coversations with me, she found out that she had interest in how different solutions could help the course of her legacy. So we have been talking even more off and on since we met to help her see how one significant policy can grow even more with her through out her life.  

Trey Allen

Response from Trey Allen

from the Marietta Square Team

Cheryl and Don came to me for a free estimate on a small paint project. Patching the stucco, and painting the enclosure walls around their pool area. They had a painter they had used previously, but he was unreliable and unorganized. They decided to get several estimates, and they ended up going with me. We did such a great job with the walls, that they have now had me back for 4 other jobs, and even had me paint their daughters full exterior at her new home. They worked with me so that they could focus on work and spending time with family, while knowing their paint project is being taken care of properly and on time.

Torrence Simmons

Response from Torrence Simmons

from the Marietta Square Team

I had worked with Coach Sheryl three times in about a year. She always held her composure as though she was barking plays, directions, and giving the referees hell on the court. After her father passed, that all changed. Her tone was defeated and lost. She couldn’t make a decision or plan of what was needed. She needed items moved from his home into storage and to her home after an estate sale.

When she first called us, she said, ‘I don’t know how much is going to sell,’ and she wasn’t sure how many people or trucks she’d need — with only a two- to three-day window from the sell to the move. 

As we talked, I realized she didn’t need a quote or a fixed plan right away. She was emotionally drained and was unable to nail down any decision. I told her, don’t worry about a thing. We would pencil her in for Sunday and she could call me Friday after the estate sale finalized to let me know what was left. No matter what we would have the man power and trucks for her that Sunday. 

She worked with me so that she could avoid having to make the wrong decision — or any decision — during an emotionally heavy time.

Melissa Moss CFP®

Response from Melissa Moss CFP®

from the Towne Lake Team

Lee reached out after deciding to take a buyout from Georgia Tech at 55. She had a lump sum from her severance package and planned to continue working as a consultant, so initially she came to me simply wanting to invest that cash wisely and make sure it was working for her.

As we continued working together, it became clear that growing the money was only part of the story.

What Lee really wanted was a clear path into the life she had been picturing for years. She wanted to know she could move into her dream home on a lake in South Carolina, be closer to her family, and slow things down enough to actually enjoy this next chapter. Spending more time with her family, especially her young great-nieces, mattered more to her than squeezing out the last possible dollar of return.

She worked with me so that she could confidently step into a lifestyle change that prioritized family, flexibility, and the freedom to enjoy this season of life without second-guessing her financial decisions.

Dr. David Renner DIBAK

Response from Dr. David Renner DIBAK

from the Candler Park Team

I’ve worked with Ralph for roughly 15 years. He wasn’t new to chiropractic or Applied Kinesiology so he came in asking for a “tune up.”

As I continued to work with him, Several goals emerged: regulating blood sugar and remaining active in softball, racquetball, and golf were primary concerns; but others emerged briefly over time and were resolved: hip pain, knee pain, Elbow pain, cervical herniated discs, Low back pain and the like were addressed when necessary—even Shortness Of Breath(SOB) and benign prostatic hypertrophy(enlarging prostate). I imagine some of you are raising your eyebrows wondering how I addressed those, so I’ll explain.

I addressed SOB by adjusting the rib cage and increasing lung capacity and reset the sympathetic nervous system to increase contractility of the heart and lower HR.

When the prostate enlarges, men feel greater urgency to urinate. Since I do soft tissue adjustments, I repositioned the bladder so this became less frequent.

In essence, he worked with me so he could remain fully functional until his natural expiration date.

Ray Messer

Response from Ray Messer

from the Towne Lake Team

I’ve been working with Tony and Becky for the past few months after they bought a home in Ball Ground. They were already making a lot of updates — fresh paint, new landscaping, adding a detached garage — and part of that was replacing the old wire closets inside the house.

When they first reached out, they said they just wanted “better closets” to match the rest of the improvements they were making. They were tired of sagging wire shelves and wasted space.

But as we walked through the house and talked more, I realized this wasn’t just about storage. They had just made a big move and were investing a lot into making this house truly feel like their home. The closets were one of the last daily-use spaces that still felt temporary and unfinished.

They worked with me so that they could feel settled, organized, and proud of every part of their home — not just the rooms guests see.

That’s the deeper result I help homeowners achieve.

Byron Hooper

Response from Byron Hooper

from the Cumberland Team

Alexus came to me through a paid lead service, looking for insurance for her NFP: halfway houses for women. This isn't my specialty and halfway houses are a challenging risk to place, but I worked with a general agent who found an affordable policy. Over time I've been able to help protect her other businesses and personal assets, even refered her to other PC members for services. Alexus works with me because I help find solutions to bring her peace of mind while she works on her life's calling.  

Alanna Blake-Lawlor

Response from Alanna Blake-Lawlor

from the Woodstock Team

Diana and Paul thought they wanted an older home with lots of character near within walking distance of their local town.  Once we started looking at older homes, they realized the amount of traffic in their town would severly impact their commute to work.  They soon realized that an older home further out from the city would have closer access to the commuter roads they needed to drive on each day.  15 mins to just navigate getting out of town was just not very palatable.  Being closer to their main road and a little outside of town added 15 mins each way, a total of 30 minutes back to their lives.   Through our home search process, they discovered that their commute time being reduced was more important than their proximity to town. They worked with me so that they could take their time to figure out what was more important to them, proximity to town or a shorter commute.  They knew I would not rush or pressure them into any decision that did not feel right.  Irish Alanna Realtor, guiding and advising my clients through the home purchase and sale process. 

 

Tim Davis

Response from Tim Davis

from the Marietta Square Team

A confidential client contacted me with concerns about potential gaps in their insurance portfolio. After a comprehensive review, we determined they were underinsured and, as a business owner, exposed to material liability risk. I recommended and implemented increased coverages and secured competitive premiums to close those gaps. Proper protection is essential to safeguard against financial loss, legal exposure, and business interruption; having adequate insurance preserves financial stability and protects the client’s personal and professional assets. They are now one of my most valued clients.

Zachary Griffith

Response from Zachary Griffith

from the Marietta Square Team

One of my clients, Dena, comes to mind.  She is a property manager for a few high-profile shopping centeres in the metro Atlanta area. When she came me, she had been working with a few other printers over the years.  However, as the scope and frequency of work that she needed done became greater and greater, she was finding the responsiveness and quality being provided by her current printers very lacking.  All she wanted was consistency and communication, and she was looking for a printer that could accomodate on both fronts while delivering exactly what she needed for her properties.  She has been my client now for 3 years, and that communication and consistency has led to her bringing large-scale rebranding projects across multiple properties that had been on hold for years.  Turns out that she just needed someone they could trust to handle the big stuff for them so she didn't have to worry. They continue to work with me to this day to help them bring their biggest ideas to life.

Lacy Loyd

Response from Lacy Loyd

from the Newnan Team

I’ve worked with Will for about nine months. When he first came to me, he said he wanted a reliable contractor who would be readily available whenever an issue came up at his multi unit properties. As we continued working together, I realized the real outcome he was trying to achieve was immediate response without having to manage multiple calls or vendors. They worked with me so that they could make sure water, fire, plus storm issues were addressed quickly by one trusted partner who showed up ready to work, allowing them to move on to the next priority knowing their property plus residents were taken care of with quality work completed in a timely manner.

Zakeya Smith

Response from Zakeya Smith

from the Marietta Square Team

Janeen first came to me as a first time mom looking for a newborn photographer. We instantly connected and she enjoyed her experience so much so that she came back again when her second child arrived. I’ve worked with them many times, each time yielding them above and beyond results. 

 

They’ve worked with me so that they could always have beautiful photos and print products that they can have around the house and keep as mementos as their kids grew up. 

Stacy Freemyer

Response from Stacy Freemyer

from the Woodstock Team

 

Over the past year, Kim has become a valued regular client. Our partnership began when she faced an urgent catering need after a technical error prevented her initial request from reaching its destination. Since resolving that first emergency, she has entrusted us with her team’s catering twice monthly. By streamlining her ordering process, we provide her with a seamless, stress-free experience and the peace of mind that her events will always be handled professionally.

Michal Spiegelman

Response from Michal Spiegelman

from the North Point Team

As a social worker and coach, I’ve been helping women get to the root of what’s really driving the pattern—then make a grounded decision they can live with.

Cynthia first reached out to me about 15 years ago. When she came in, she said she felt disrespected, unappreciated, and small in her marriage. She wanted help deciding whether to stay or get divorced.

We used my Full Compass Decision-Making process so she could map her options in a wide, integrated way—mind clarity, heart truth, body wisdom, intuitive knowing—rather than trying to “think” her way through something that was also emotional and somatic.

She worked with me so she could make an integrated decision about her marriage and then change the pattern that made her feel small—so her  next chapter would be built on self-respect,

She chose divorce.

Then the real work began: rebuilding her sense of self, strengthening her boundaries, and learning to respond differently so she wouldn’t recreate the same dynamic in future relationships.

Myrna Cesar

Response from Myrna Cesar

from the East Cobb Team

When Becky first hired us, the goal seemed simple: companionship. She was worried about her mom, Sarah, spending eight hours a day anchored to the glow of the television. The task was "spend time with Sarah." However, the Intent was to restore Sarah’s sense of agency and connection to the real world. If I simply sat next to Sarah and watched The Price is Right, I’d be fulfilling the task but failing the mission. I noticed Sarah didn't just watch TV; she used it as background noise because the house felt too quiet - Instead of asking her to "turn off the TV"  I brought in a vintage botanical puzzle. I didn't say, "Let's do this." I started sorting the edge pieces myself. Within ten minutes, the effect kicked in—Sarah’s natural curiosity took over. She muted the volume to tell me about the hydrangeas she used to grow in her 40s. By the end of the second month, the TV wasn't the centerpiece of the afternoon; it was an afterthought. We had moved from passive coexistence to active engagement. They worked with me so that they could reclaim the version of their mother that existed before the screen became her primary companion.

Our takeaway was - Success wasn't measured by the hours the TV was off, but by the volume of the stories she was finally telling again.

 

Cameron Furr

Response from Cameron Furr

from the Marietta Square Team

I’ve been working with Mark for about five years now. When he first came to me, he simply wanted someone to replace the pump that another company had installed.

 

Over time, I realized what he was really looking for wasn’t just a replacement — it was confidence. He wanted the work done right the first time, with quality and long-term reliability leading the way over price.

 

They worked with me so that they could stop dealing with repeat failures and trust that the system was installed correctly from the start.

 

Amanda Weeks

Response from Amanda Weeks

from the Marietta Square Team

I've worked with Patrick, the Chief Building Engineer at Park Place in Atlanta, since 2024. He originally contacted me to help diagnose and resolve a complex HVAC issue affecting the building’s specialized commercial systems.

As we continued working together, it became clear that Patrick wasn’t just looking for a one-time fix. He needed a contractor he could trust with both the building’s large-scale commercial equipment and the individual water source heat pumps serving each residence in the 40-story luxury high-rise. His role depends on confidence in the expertise behind every recommendation — especially in a building where resident comfort, system reliability, and reputation matter. That trust has led him to refer us to multiple residents and to involve us in additional HVAC work throughout the building.

They worked with me so that they could confidently rely on experienced specialists to protect a complex high-rise HVAC system while ensuring consistent comfort for both the building and its residents.

Merve Adams Landscape Architect

Response from Merve Adams Landscape Architect

from the Milton Team

 When I think about referrals, one client who immediately comes to mind is Sarah. I’ve worked with Sarah and her family for a little over two years, from their first consultation through multiple phases of their landscape transformation.

When Sarah first came to me, she said she wanted a beautiful backyard. She talked about plants, flow, and curb appeal. On the surface, it sounded like a design request—something polished, functional, and visually appealing.

But as we continued working together, it became clear that what she truly wanted went much deeper than aesthetics. She wanted a space where her family could slow down. A place that felt peaceful after long workdays. A backyard that made hosting feel effortless and meaningful, and a home exterior she felt proud of every time she pulled into the driveway.

Through the design process, plant selection, and long-term planning, I realized the real outcome she was trying to achieve wasn’t just a landscape—it was a lifestyle upgrade. One that brought calm, connection, and confidence in her home.

They worked with me me so that they could feel at ease in their outdoor space and create a home environment that supported how they actually wanted to live and gather.

That clarity is what drives referrals. When clients understand why they worked with you—not just what you did—the story becomes easy to tell and powerful to share.

Merve Adams
Landscape Architect 

David Rose

Response from David Rose

from the Marietta Square Team

I’ve worked with Mr. and Mrs. Brooks for approximately 2 years now, through the whole process of getting their previous home in order all the way to them selling their place and getting into a new one. When they first called me, they just wanted a basic property clean up to get the yard looking decent. But as I kept working for them—doing the lawn, hauling off junk, and eventually helping them move—I realized they weren't just looking for a "yard guy." They were looking for someone they didn't have to worry about. Even though I don't do moving, they told me they just trust me and want me to handle it because they know I’ll do it right.

“They worked with me so that they could get through the stress of moving and fixing up their house without having to deal with a bunch of strangers they didn't trust.”

Debbie McFarland

Response from Debbie McFarland

from the Senoia Team

Brenda has been a client for about 10 years. She came to me at a really emotional time. Both of her kids were about to leave the nest, one for college and one for the Marines. She knew life was never going to be the same. Before the photo session day, I went to her house. We talked about her family and how she wanted her living room to feel. I measured her walls and helped choose outfits with the right color and style for the space, so we could decorate her home with love.

Because of that, the session day was calm. The family could relax, laugh, and simply be present together, soaking in their connection before everything changed.

 

Afterward, I helped her design a large wall collection that filled the space behind her sofa to show what truly matters to their family, their love. She worked with me to create a room that brings her comfort in a house that feels very different.

Christine  Lindner

Response from Christine Lindner

from the Woodstock Team

Julie came to me wanting relief from the pain associated with her scoliosis. She said she wanted any reduction in pain I could give her. After our first session Julie texted me that she was able to play on the floor with her toddlers for over an hour the next day without any pain- an activity that was excruciating to her in the past. As we continued to work together for the next year it became clear that Julie worked with me so that she could be an active and involved mother.