In January 2020, we were thrilled and humbled to announce that The Business Report and Junior Achievement selected marketing agency Gatorworks as the Company of the Year. The 2020 Business Awards & Hall of Fame was originally scheduled for March, but like all events this year, it was postponed. But at a smaller-than-planned, socially distanced event in July, Gatorworks president Brian Rodriguez accepted the award on behalf of the company.
A Louisiana Website Company’s Humble Origins
At the event, Louisiana Business Inc. president Julio Melara cited Gatorworks’ adaptability, industry prowess, and tremendous growth. Gatorworks didn’t operate safely in the black until seven years in. In 2001, Rodriguez started the company in high school with a fellow Archbishop Rummel student. At the time, website development and design was an emerging field. It all began with these two friends volunteering to create the school’s first-ever website. The business continued when they moved to Baton Rouge to attend LSU. In fact, Gatorworks’ first headquarters office was Rodriguez’s dorm room, and its corporate phone was the dorm room’s landline.
Digital Marketing Growth And More Signs Of Success
Today, Gatorworks looks a lot different. The 23-person staff includes graphic designers, account managers, web developers, and digital marketing strategists. The current headquarters is a lot bigger—and a lot more stylish—than the original dorm room.
However, the company has grown in more ways than just its office space. Today, web design represents about 20% of the company’s business line. Gatorworks is now a leading provider of digital marketing and targeting—including tools such as SEO, Google Ads, and geo-fencing. But perhaps the most telling sign of success was the company’s purchase by Guaranty Communications in 2017. Rodriguez remains the company’s president.
In his acceptance speech, Rodriguez gave credit to his team as well as Gatorworks’ clients. He says, “Without clients, we wouldn’t be able to do much of anything. I’m so thankful for all the trust our clients have given us over the last 14 years, and I’ve personally really enjoyed the relationships we forged.”
Looking To The Future
Like all businesses this year, Gatorworks is adapting while looking to the future. Throughout it all, the team stays focused on our clients, our employees, and our partners. We’re proud to have a role in the Baton Rouge community. Are you interested in partnering with us to help YOUR business grow? Let’s talk.