Aaron Brossoit, CEO of the Golden Shovel Agency (“GSA”), recently moved to Santa Cruz to support existing clients, find new clients, and to enrich his work-lifestyle experience. He is an avid hiker, and he is eager to give surfing a try. Let’s back up and learn more about Golden Shovel.

He and three others founded their company in 2009 in Little Falls, MN. Their vision was to shape and strengthen the vitality of regional economies by supporting them in attracting businesses and talent. Currently, they are working with more than 190 communities across North America.

GSA has many core services including branding, marketing, strategy, web development, and online communications. What makes their offering unique is their focus on technology - the Economic Gateway - a SaaS website system with a flexible suite of modules for the industry and their pioneering work utilizing virtual reality and 360 video. When asking Aaron about why he is passionate about economic development, he said, "We are bringing new technology to an industry that has a real effect on people's lives and the communities they live in. It's very rewarding."

One example of a recent customer success is Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (“OTEC”). OTEC worked with GSA to make an economic development portal for regional communities. The project included a series of PlaceVR virtual reality videos including economic development-related tours, brewery and winery tours, and even a safety video for first responders. That led to GSA participating in the humanitarian efforts of the Oregon Electric Coops sending linemen into Guatemala to install power to a village for the first time. The results of which will be completed in April 2020. More of GSA clients at: https://www.goldenshovelagency.com/who-we-helped/work

Golden Shovel also found success with a virtual operations aka remote workforce. They believe strongly that all employees are more successful if they can work from the place of their choice, and at the times that best fit their work lifestyle balance. Aaron mentioned,"We serve many types of communities and it helps to have the diverse perspectives from team members that choose to live in ones that are best suited to them. Santa Cruz just happens to be a great fit for me." Welcome Aaron. Another kindred spirit has found gold in Santa Cruz.