About Aaron Grote
I've been blessed with a unique set of experiences — both inside and outside of marketing — that have given me a diverse set of perspectives.
About
I’m a problem solver, pattern finder, and team-oriented leader. My one of a kind collection of experiences gives me a unique and constructive perspective.
🚨If you have a GPT+ account, you can query a much more detailed set of information about me at https://chat.openai.com/g/g-GQHJ9IIQ6-aaron-grote-s-career-explorer
Professional history
Where to start? I spent more than a decade as a leader in the hospitality industry — managing departments and business units, and leading amazing teams of up to 75 people. I got to live the dream designing and building terrain parks, and at one point that even included piloting a paddlewheel riverboat! I spent six years as a US Marine and served in the Crimean Peninsula (yup, that Crimean Peninsula), Iraq, Morocco, and Uganda, as well as across the United States.
My time as an independent social media marketer and web developer gave me the opportunity to do work for local professionals and retailers, governmental bodies, commercial landlords, and nonprofits. It also taught me to sell everything from geothermal HVAC systems to art studios to artisanal bacon. For two eye-opening years I supported that growing freelance marketing career by working nights as a jail guard.
It was my volunteer work with the Phakamani Foundation, a South African micro-entrepreneur organization for women, that led to me joining Great Clips where I spent six years creating local, regional, and nationwide marketing for that iconic 4,400 location brand. The brand-level work included supporting NCAA, NHL, NASCAR, AND X-Games official sponsorships. My work there produced profitable marketing programs and campaigns with demonstrable incrementality that won paid search, social media, and direct marketing awards. But more importantly, it helped the thousand-plus small business owners who bet their futures on the Great Clips brand to build the life and legacy they wanted.
Current role
Stirista is a full service, identity-driven marketing solutions company that combines data, digital, and email to drive and deliver marketing campaigns for brands and agencies. We empower clients by using precise audience data, and activating via CTV, email, and digital formats. We are the solution that can do all of that internally, which improves performance and saves our partners time and money.
Personal notes
I live on a small hobby farm north of Minneapolis with my wife and two young children. I love being outdoors, reading, and spending time with my family. Splitting wood is my meditation. I wear a lot of hats. I mean literally, I like wearing hats. Ask me to tell you a story that starts with, "So there I was..."
Speaking and media
Want to get good at writing? Be an English major! Want to get good at speaking and presenting? Work in franchising!
Check and check.
In addition to the writing and presenting I do as part of my job, I appreciate opportunities to contribute to the marketing community. If you think I might be a fit for your conference, podcast, or publication, let’s talk!
POV - Spiceworks
Article - MARTECH360
POV - MARTECH.org
POV - AdWeek
Webinar - VAB
POV - Marketing Brew
POV - Marketing Brew
POV - Street Fight
POV - AdExchanger
Contribution - Search Engine Roundtable
POV - Marketing Land
Presenter - Brightedge Share19
Moderator - SocialMedia.org Member Meeting
Profile - SocialMedia.org
Panelist - Franchise Consumer Marketing Conference