Prior to becoming involved in PPL, John Gardner practiced law in South Carolina for 25 years and had 6 offices spread over the eastern half of the state.  He spent eight years as a member of the South Carolina General Assembly and was elected by his peers to serve four years as one of the State Highway Commissioners.

When John was introduced to Pre-Paid Legal, he flew to the company headquarters to meet with the Home Office staff,  including Mr. Stonecipher, Randy Harp, and Wilburn Smith.

“It was at that time that I realized that PPL had the ability to change the way legal services were delivered to Americans.  My father’s father was an attorney and my father was the first judge elected to the South Carolina Court of Appeals, and I had been an attorney for nearly 25 years.  My family has been involved with helping those who could not help themselves for three generations.  I remember when I was a 10-year old going to our local jail, in a small southern town on Saturday nights to help get bleeding beaten men out of jail who had been terribly abused by the system.  It was a driving reason to practice – helping those who could not access the system."

The problem was that the economic demands of the successful practice of law did not allow for helping those who most needed it.  Elizabeth designed a marketing program in partnership with a CBS affiliate that supported programs for the handicapped, the elderly, the Boy Scout food drive for the hungry, and a program to collect coats for kids who did not have them in the winter.  She won the National Bar Association Award for dignity in advertising because of her efforts.  “That was how we were trying to reach those in need,” she says.

John adds,  "One of the biggest blessings of being involved with Pre-Paid Legal is that you don't have to make the choice between economics and helping others.  Here the only way to be more successful is to help more people.  The membership is so powerful!  And the opportunity, not only the financial rewards people receive, but the satisfaction of offering someone the ability to regain control of their life.  PPL has allowed Elizabeth and me time freedom we simply didn't have before, and we are blessed to be able to share that vision with others who want the same.  In co-authoring Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneurial Soul, I have learned a lot about helping people get started in business and I believe that Pre-Paid Legal is the perfect entrepreneurial incubator.  Your desire, not your history, determines your success in PPL.  To be able to share that truth with those we come in contact with, brings us tremendous satisfaction."

"We are surrounded by a team of awesome individuals, people like us who decided to create their own future.  Many of their faces grace the pages of this book and many others who are soon to follow.  To them, and you know who your are, Elizabeth and I say, Thank you and may God bless you indeed!"