20 Years of Growth and Change: Celebrating Shawn’s Journey at August Ash

Twenty years ago, the world of technology looked very different. Web platforms like Facebook and Gmail were still in their infancy. Amazon was still primarily known for selling books. The iPhone didn’t exist yet. And in countless conversations with business owners, Shawn often heard questions like, “What exactly is the internet?” or “What is this thing called ‘the Google’?”

It was in this environment that Shawn Haukaas joined August Ash. With years of experience leading teams in both corporate and startup settings, he saw August Ash, then a four-person team led by Erich Hanson, as the kind of entrepreneurial venture where his skills could make a real impact. In those early months, there wasn’t even space for him to have his own desk, so he sat at the end of Erich’s.

Amidst the skepticism of whether “this internet thing” would last, Shawn quickly realized he had aligned himself with something special. In those early years, the company nearly doubled its clients, projects, team and even office space. 

A Different Approach to the Early Web

Back then, many competitors looked very different from August Ash. Picture a hipster developer in a band T-shirt at a coffee shop, geeking out over code and trying to make a website look cool simply because he could. There was little thought of strategy or data, just flash for the sake of flash.

By contrast, August Ash took an engineered, business-minded approach from the very beginning. Instead of chasing trends or gimmicks, Shawn and the team focused on solving real business problems and making data-driven decisions, even before “data-driven” was a buzzword. That professionalism and focus on outcomes stood out in an industry that, at the time, had almost no rules.

Some competitors filled pages with hidden keywords colored the same as the background to trick search engines, or built animations with no real purpose. Looking back, it’s shocking how different digital marketing was in those days. At August Ash, however, the groundwork was already being laid for a different standard: using technology not for its own sake, but as a tool to help businesses grow.

Values That Endure

For Shawn, there are many reasons he’s stayed at August Ash for two decades, but the main one comes down to this: core values.

Grow has always been central to who we are, while Grit has carried the team through challenges like the dot-com bubble, 9/11, the 2008 recession, and even the COVID-19 pandemic. Many competitors closed their doors during those times, but August Ash remained steadfast.

In 2018, the company went “all in” with EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). For Shawn, it felt like EOS simply gave language to the culture August Ash had been living all along. Today, everyone has a seat and a voice at the table. That openness and alignment continue to shape August Ash into a place where growth happens not just for clients, but for its people.

The “Why” Has Always Remained the Same

Over the years, Shawn has had the privilege of helping hundreds of organizations from the biggest companies in the world to the smallest in both non-profit, government, and for-profit sectors, use technology and marketing to grow. For him, it wasn’t just about the websites and digital marketing campaigns. It's been about streamlining processes, raising awareness, and opening new opportunities.

The results have been profound: families in need finding support through a nonprofit, school districts running more efficiently, government agencies serving their communities better, entrepreneurs seeing their dreams take shape through their very first websites and countless companies achieving their goals. The “what” and the “how” of the work have evolved countless times, but the “why” has always remained the same: to help organizations grow and make a lasting impact.

Living The EOS Life

Part of what makes Shawn’s story special is that August Ash isn’t only about business growth, it’s also about personal growth. Shawn has fully embraced The EOS Life, a balance of work and life that fuels both.

• Doing What You Love: Spending days on work that energizes you and makes a difference.
• With People You Love: Building careers alongside colleagues who are enjoyable, uplifting, and authentic.
• Making a Huge Difference: Leaving a legacy, whether with clients, coworkers, family, or community.
• Being Compensated Appropriately: Providing value to others while building financial stability.
• With Time for Other Passions: Having the freedom to pursue personal passions outside of work.

For Shawn, The EOS Life has allowed him to grow not only as a leader at August Ash, but as a husband, father, and recent grandfather, all while building a successful career.

What Team Members Say About Shawn

Shawn’s story isn’t just his own, it’s reflected in the impact he’s had on the people around him.

“Shawn has such an amazing positivity to him. He sees the good in everyone and everything he touches. In a world where things often feel cloudy, challenging, or bleak, he’s a ray of light that helps guide our team and clients to better outcomes.” Erich Hanson, Founder & CEO

“Shawn has an incredible ability to build trust and keep it. He’s the person you want in the room when things are complicated because he stays steady, listens to everyone, and finds a path forward that works.” Jenny Monson, Director of Operations

“Shawn epitomizes our mantra of positive, proactive, solutions-oriented thinking. He has a way of finding answers and moving things forward when others might get stuck.” Ted Blumberg, Digital Strategist

These reflections capture what many at August Ash already know: Shawn embodies the values and culture that define August Ash.

Looking Ahead

If two decades at August Ash have taught Shawn anything, it’s that this industry never slows down. Every decade has felt like a fresh start. Today, AI, automation, and robotics are reshaping the landscape at an unprecedented pace, and that excites him.

For Shawn, the opportunity lies in carrying timeless principles and values into this new era of technology. August Ash has always been more than a company; it has been a community where people grow together. As we step into the future, Shawn is grateful for where we’ve been, inspired by where we are going, and proud to still call this the place he wants to be.

The August Ash Difference

Shawn’s 20-year journey is more than just an anniversary; it’s a testament to what makes August Ash unique. Through challenges and change, the company’s core values have remained constant:

• Grow – for our clients, our team, and ourselves
   
• Grit – persevering through challenges and change
   
• Good Natured – bringing positivity and trust to every relationship
   
• Care – putting people first and investing in their success
   
• Clarity – cutting through the noise to find the right path forward
   

These values are what have sustained August Ash for more than 26 years, and they’re what continue to guide us into the future, shaping the way we work, the relationships we build, and the impact we create.

Thank You, Shawn

As we celebrate Shawn’s 20 years at August Ash, we celebrate more than just his tenure, we celebrate the heart, grit, and positivity he has brought to our team, our clients, and our community. His journey is proof that when values are lived out daily, they create not only business growth but also lasting impact.

From guiding clients through the early days of the internet to shaping the way we solve problems today, Shawn has been a steady force and a trusted partner. His commitment to growth, care, clarity, grit, and good nature continues to set the tone for who we are and where we’re going.

Thank you, Shawn, for 20 years of leadership, laughter, and inspiration. Here’s to the impact you’ve made, and to the future we’ll continue to build together.