Photo Courtesy of Bob Bartosiewicz
In the frigid winter of upstate New York, where road salt efficiently eats through car bodies, Bob Bartosiewicz saw both corrosion and opportunity. This initial venture into rust-proofing products brought the Connecticut native to Rochester.
This seemingly modest beginning would eventually transform into a digital empire, working with some of the big names in the U.S. and connecting thousands of American communities through technology and storytelling.
Back to Where It All Began
The journey of CGI Digital’s founder and CEO reveals much about America’s evolving economic terrain—where small-town values meet 21st-century innovation. Growing up in Thomaston, Connecticut, Bartosiewicz absorbed lessons that would form his business mindset. His father, who famously never missed a day at his factory job, and his mother, a dedicated nurse, instilled a work ethic that borders on relentless.
Having these role models in his life explains much about the man who would later reshape how municipalities and small businesses connect with their communities. While Silicon Valley entrepreneurs often come from elite institutions with venture capital connections, Bartosiewicz represents an alternative American success story built on persistence rather than privilege.
From Paper Maps to Digital Dominance
The evolution of CGI Digital mirrors America’s digital transformation. What began in the 1990s as Community Graphics Incorporated—creating illustrated promotional maps for municipalities—has become a multi-faceted digital marketing agency employing hundreds across the country.
When internet adoption accelerated in the early 2000s, many traditional media companies faltered. Bartosiewicz pivoted decisively, transforming his business to bring video content to communities. As digital technologies change communications, he continuously adapted CGI Digital’s offerings to help enterprises navigate the new territory. Each iteration reflected his knowledge of the changing market and an understanding of how technology could connect communities.
Today’s CGI Digital operates at the intersection of local governance, small business support, and digital storytelling. This combination feels particularly vital in an era of globalization and renewed interest in community resilience. The marketing agency has expanded to 300 employees. It has created long-standing strategic partnerships with influential organizations, including the US Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities, establishing CGI as a trusted partner for municipalities nationwide.
The Relentless Builder
Those who work with Bartosiewicz describe him as a leader with an insatiable drive for improvement. In an interview with Entrepreneur, Bartosiewicz shared his productivity habit: “I constantly think about what’s next. I analyze the psychology of the marketplace, our clients, and our employees, verifying these elements align within a cohesive framework. This mental organization helps me lead the company effectively.”
This relentlessness manifests not just in business expansion but also in community investment. When Bartosiewicz purchased a historic building in downtown Rochester and adjacent properties, he was not simply acquiring real estate. He was demonstrating a commitment to urban revitalization that extends beyond profit margins.
While many digital enterprises cluster in coastal innovation hubs, Bartosiewicz has maintained CGI’s headquarters in Rochester, creating jobs and sponsoring local festivals and events. This decision reflects a practical business sense and philosophy: digital companies need not abandon mid-sized American cities to succeed.
Bartosiewicz: A Small Business Champion
Unlike many digital marketing firms that chase Fortune 500 clients, CGI Digital has deliberately focused on small to medium-sized businesses—typically those with 10-15 employees.
“We don’t work with huge businesses,” notes Bartosiewicz. “These [smaller businesses] are providing resources and things that those types of businesses need to stay competitive where they may not always have the means to hire staff.”
This process addresses a critical gap in America’s digital economy. While much attention focuses on multinational corporations or high-growth startups, the economic backbone remains small businesses that often lack digital sophistication. Bartosiewicz has helped level a playing field increasingly tilted toward the digitally advantaged by democratizing access to professional digital marketing.
Hellonation.com: America’s Digital Town Square
Bartosiewicz’s new venture, Hellonation.com, represents perhaps the purest expression of the founder’s vision for digital community-building. As a video-first, community-driven showcase, Hellonation.com has emerged as a platform connecting municipalities and businesses across America.
As communities nationwide struggle with questions of identity and belonging in an increasingly digital world, Hellonation.com offers a virtual town square celebrating local distinctiveness while facilitating economic development.
Further extending Bartosiewicz’s outlook, Hellonation.com kicked off its cross-country tour this past March 2025, using tour buses to go around the U.S. and gather firsthand accounts from local leaders, small business owners, and everyday citizens who define their communities.
Beyond Business: The Muscle Car Connection
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, it is at a digital crossroads. The technologies connecting people have sometimes divided communities along political and cultural lines. However, Bartosiewicz’s story suggests an alternative digital future where technology reinforces rather than replaces community bonds. His focus on empowering municipalities and local businesses through CGI Digital and Hellonation.com challenges the assumption that digitization must erode local distinctiveness.
From Connecticut to New York and now to local communities, Bartosiewicz has shown how persistence, people focus, and technological adaptation can create economic opportunity and meaningful social change.
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