A traditional local agency runs $1,500-$5,000 a month on a contract. Get Found is $499, month to month. If you run a 1-5 person HVAC company, salon, wellness studio or home services business, here is how the two actually compare.
| Traditional local agency | Firestarter | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,500-$5,000 | $199-$2,000 (Get Found is $499) |
| Contract | Usually 6-12 months | None. Cancel anytime. |
| Setup fee | Common | None |
| Who does the work | An account manager hands it to junior staff | Moxie creates it in your voice. You review and approve. |
| Your time | Kickoff calls, monthly meetings, report reviews | About 15 minutes a month |
| Showing up in AI search (ChatGPT, Google AI) | Rarely part of the package | Built in: SEO plus GEO on every plan |
| Google Business Profile | Often an add-on | Fresh posts and updates included |
The problem with the agency retainer
You pay for overhead: the office, the account manager, the markup on every hour. And you still end up writing the briefs, chasing the approvals and wondering if any of it is working. Most owners we talk to say the same thing: “I can’t afford a real agency, but doing nothing isn’t an option.”
When an agency is still the right call
If you need a full rebrand, TV or radio buying, or a team on site for events, hire an agency. Firestarter does not do those.
When Firestarter is the better fit
You want to show up when people Google you or ask ChatGPT for a recommendation, you want posts and blogs that sound like you, and you want it done without a contract or a weekly meeting. Start with the free audit and see where you stand today.
