From a $15 Ticket to a Thriving Business

When most people think of business growth, they picture ads, funnels, or cold outreach. For Alec Mountain, the answer came from something far more personal: bringing people together.

Known as “the local biz events guy,” Alec has built a thriving business helping entrepreneurs and coaches grow through local events. What started as a small experiment has now turned into a proven system that’s generated over $200,000 in revenue.

Here are the biggest takeaways from his journey.

The First Leap: Hosting Without a Network

Alec’s first-ever event was in Seattle back in 2018. With no real plan and only a passion for personal branding, he put the event on Meetup. Over 100 people RSVP’d, and 30 actually showed up.

That first event taught him two things:

1. People are willing to show up if you give them a reason.

2. Free events don’t work — people who don’t pay rarely value the experience.

It was a humble start, but it planted the seed for everything that followed.

The Move That Changed Everything

In 2022, Alec moved to Orange County with no clients and almost no money. Instead of playing it safe, he took a risk: he put $1,500 on a credit card and ran simple Facebook ads filmed on his iPhone.

The ads were straightforward: “Hey Orange County entrepreneurs, if you want to expand your network and meet like-minded people, join my events list.”

The results shocked him. For just $30 a day, he generated 30 new contacts daily—about $1 per lead. By January 2023, he had over 700 people on his list and sold 100 tickets to his very first OC event.

That event not only covered costs but also landed him multiple new clients.

Why Events Work

For Alec, the magic of events isn’t in ticket sales—it’s in relationships. Here’s what he shared:

• Paid vs. Free: When people pay, they show up and pay attention. Even a $15 ticket makes a difference.

• The Real ROI: Events often break even on the front end, but the real payoff comes from the clients and partnerships made in the room.

• The Pitch: Instead of selling high-ticket offers directly, Alec uses a $99 strategy session as a stepping stone. Once someone invests even a little, they’re more likely to become a long-term client.

Lessons from the Trenches

Through trial and error, Alec uncovered some critical insights:

• Don’t try to serve everyone. His shift from being a “jack of all trades” to focusing solely on events gave him clarity and growth.

• Ads matter—but so does the creative. Adding a female co-host to one of his ads cut the cost per lead from $7.50 to $2.50.

• Keep events lean. Simple venues, streamlined costs, and sustainable processes make it possible to host consistently without burning out.

Where He’s Headed Next

Today, Alec helps other entrepreneurs build their own event-based growth systems. His clients learn how to create sustainable local communities, generate leads, and turn gatherings into business opportunities.

He’s clear about one thing: events themselves aren’t the end game. They’re a powerful tool for building connections, authority, and client pipelines. And when done right, every dollar spent on ads and events can return tenfold in long-term revenue.

Final Thoughts

Alec Mountain’s journey is proof that business growth doesn’t always come from the newest funnel or ad hack. Sometimes, it’s about going back to basics—creating spaces where people connect, learn, and do business together.

With the right mix of lean systems, smart ads, and authentic connections, events can be more than just gatherings. They can be the foundation of a thriving business.