Techies tout lifestyle as reason to set up shop

DOVER - During the “Tech and the Rural Economy” panel at Wednesday’s Southern Vermont Economic Development Summit, several Vermont business owners touted seeking Vermont’s lifestyle offerings as a reason they live here and built businesses here. Many spoke of technology’s ability to foster new business growth and to bridge gaps between people, and also how the ability to connect easily with others in Vermont helped them grow their businesses.
Luke Stafford, CEO of Brattleboro-based Mondo Mediaworks, said he fell in love with southern Vermont as a child after visiting the region for skiing. “It was love at first sight for me,” he said, showing a picture of the map of Stratton that he pinned to the wall in his childhood bedroom. Ultimately he landed in Brattleboro and worked as a snow reporter at Mount Snow. After being fired from that job, he knew he wanted to stay in southern Vermont, and it was that desire that inspired him to open up his own company.
He started his business in his house. “All I needed was a computer and an internet connection,” said Stafford. “I started in my living room and I was able to get the ball rolling. The kind of tech that was available was a huge advantage to me.”
Eventually, the company, which is centered around content marketing, was big enough that he could hire his first employee. Now, it has nearly 20. Stafford said that recruiting talent to work for the company, which produces written, visual, and video content, has some unique challenges. He said when he first began hiring people, he couldn’t believe everyone wouldn’t want to move to Vermont. 
“I had to come to the realization that someone might want to live somewhere else,” said Stafford. “Why wouldn’t you move here? I had to get over that. I had to actually think about it. What is so great about being here? I’m a strong believer that the arts are foundational in any sort of thriving economy. That’s why we chose Brattleboro and that’s something I try to talk about when I’m recruiting.” 
Technology can play a role in that recruiting as well. “If you find a person that’s interested in tech but still wants to hike the Long Trail, it’s a rare person but it is possible,” said Stafford. “And that’s where the internet comes in. You can find those people.”
Carrie Simmons, owner of New Ground Creative, a branding and design firm, also said she sought Vermont for its cultural offerings. “We were immediately smitten,” said Simmons. “Vermont offers easy access to outdoors, great food, great music, mountains, beaches. It’s great for us.” 
In addition to being integral in her business, which helps companies tell their stories through visual branding, social media strategy, and website design, Simmons said technology has allowed her family to maintain relationships with relatives in Wisconsin. “Technology has offered a great opportunity for us to stay connected,” said Simmons, “and for my mom to have a relationship with my daughter from afar.” 
Technology is also fostering connection for Kevin Parada, founder of Venutopia, which he described as “the Airbnb of wedding venues.” Venutopia connects couples with unique wedding venues, acting as a bridge between the couple and the owner of a venue such as a farm or other property. Parada said the business relies largely on couples in cities who want to get married outside of cities and are searching for venues online. 
“Millennials want a blank canvas where they can tell their story the way they want,” said Parada. “They don’t necessarily want to get married in a Hilton.” 
Though the internet is what helps him connect to clients, Parada said Vermont’s level of accessibility in terms of personal connections also plays a big role, noting that part of the “rural advantage” is connecting with people who really want you to succeed. He said that just that day, he’d already met five people who may have venues that would be appropriate for the company. 
Matt Barlin, of Blockchain Development, echoed the ability of connections to bolster business, both online and in person. “You meet the right person and then all of a sudden you’re in this much larger space,” said Barlin.
Stafford agreed. “That’s one of the reasons why Vermont is so great,” he said, “because of the networking.”